The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-04-05
Annual Report
Of the Superintendent Of the Third Edu-
national niu;n;nn

Annual Report
Of the Superintendent Of the Third Edu-
cational Division.
OrF1cE DIv. SUIT. PUHL1c EDUCATION, }
THIRD DIVISION,
Franklin, La, October, 1872.
To the State Superintendent Of Public Edu-
cation, State Of Lonisiana:
SIR-In submitting to you my an
nual report at this date, l am aware
of the fact that it is far from being per-
feet in its details, and, in many res
poets, quite unsatisfactory. On May
twentieth of the present year, at the
urgent request and upon the recon-
mendation required by law from the
State Superintendent, r. X. Diossy
was removed and was commissioned
rs his successor in Office. Mr.. Diossy
promptly transferred to me portion
of the schoul records, expressed his
satisfaction at my appointment and
ceased to discharge the duties of the
office. | entered upon my duties inn
meiliately after appointment only t"
find an extended field Of labor, re-
quiring large correspondence and
constant travel to make me properly
acquainted with its wants. In Sep
tenber Mr.. Diossy, contrary to his
previously expressed intentions, and
to my serious embarrassment as an
officer, commenced suit in the Third
Judicial District Court, under the In
trusion act, and subsequently, in the
Eighth District Court of the parish of
Orleans, in the name Of the State,
suits for his salary and emoluments of
the Office. Owing to the neglect of
the Attorney General to- appear in
these cases (being properly notified
according to law) and defend the in
tercst Of the State, Mr.. Diossy was
allowed to obtain Judgment for SER
vices he never performed or claimed
to perform, and moneys to which he
was not entitled by q shadow of JUS
tice or equity. This money, taken
from the school fund under the protest
Of Auditor Graham and myself,
through the eonpivanee of the Attor-
ney General, deprived nae Of the means
to visit the majority Of the parishes
OF my division, confer with schoot
officials, and to properly discharge all
other duties of my office. With this
statement, which will enable you to
understand the obstacles I have had
to encounter, and an apology for this
meagre report l proceed to the con-
siderati0n of
THE SCHOOL WORK.
The Third Division is comprised
of fourteen parishes, extending in
length from the Southern boundary of
Mississippi to the eastern boundary Of
Texas, 4 distance Of over two hundred
and fifty miles in direct line, with a
width Of from one hundred to one
hundred and fifty miles. Its popula-
ton in 1870 was l53,05l, and is in
cre:.siag by immigration steadily.
Within this large area, which is,
because of its natural resources and
the demands of commerce, destined to
become wealthy and most populous
section of the State, are estimated to
be between $4,000 and 10000 children
of the educable age prescribed by law.
Last year my predecessor reported
upwards Of 10, 900, or only one-tifth Of
the number in attendance at school.
1 now 1cpWO 1FuHl ulHC4dA SO4aCco
$40. Let it be remembered that in
this statement 90 not include several
parishes and portions of parishes from
which no report has been received,
but in which, from general information
/ have reason to believe there exists
a number Of schools, with an atten-
dance equal, il not greater, than that
of the past year. l feel warranted in
saying that a larger number Of schools
is now in operation in this division
than ever before, and in making the
estimate that near Is, 900 children have
enjoyed their benefits the present year.
There has been no lack OF zeal Oh the
part of school officials. In several
parishes a local tax materially aided
their efforts in the prosecution of
their work. One of the marked signs
of improvement was the building of a
number Of new school l-houses and
purchases Of necessary and comfort
able furniture, which tend to demon
strate that the day of uninhabitable,
disease breeding barns, heretofore
used for the congregation Of healthy,