The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-01-24

Fortunately the old prejudice against
the system no longer exists; but iIldJ-
ference TO lamentable extent occupies
us place. From the report of the Super
lntendent 1t appears that the number of
children in the State, who do not attend
school, exceeds $4,000. This criminal
neglect is most prevalent in cities. In
Philadelphia twelve per cent. Of the chill
dren between the ages of five and fifteen
do not attend school. But more signif-
lcant and alarming still. of the whole
| number registered as attendants, forty
six per cent, are absent from the daily
sessions. In this State at large the un-
registered amount to six per cent, and
the absenteeS to thirty-three per cent.
And, as was naturally to be expected,
the resulting ignorance from tlis neg
lect has proved a fruitful source of
crime. Sixteen per cent. of the inmates
of the State prisons are unable to read.
Obviously, therefore, it is not suffi-
cient that the State makes ample pro-
vision. Such measures should be imme-
diately adopted us would secure uni
verSal participation Of the benefit. The
children are not TO blame. They nat
urally prefer freedom and amusement
to the confinement and studies of the
school room. Parents and guardians
are the parties with whom the State
ma. deal. She owes it al ke 10 her own
peace and security, and to the highest
welfare of the children who are to be
ler future citizens, to see that they shall
! be rescued from the perils Of ignorance.
After careful and anxious deliberation
upon all the facts, and their inevitable
consequences, recommend the adoption
Of compulsory system Of education.
That law to this effect will encounter
objections is not to be doubted; for in
view of the probability Of such a meas
| ure, its opponents have already COM
menced to marshal their forces.
In Norway, Sweden and Prussia this
system was first adopted, and such have
H9@'' its ealutary effects that other
european governments have made haste
TO follow their example. Austria, adj
Inonished 10y the defeat at Sadowa,
France by the crushing disaster at Sc
dan, and England by the possibility of
Il real battle OF DOrl1ing, nave dgcreed
by statute that ali their children Shall be
taught to read and write, influenced by
a conviction that knowledge gives i'll
creased prowess III war as well as capac-
ity and integrity: for the peaceful pur-
suits of life. And ii is Il fact OF striking
significance that none of the states that
nave passed such enactmeuts have aban-
doned or repealed them.
In passing from this topic, of para
mount Importance to the future we'll
being OF the Commonwealth, uuhesi-
tatingly express the hope that the day
is not far distant WHEN through tac Bu-
reau of National Education, seconded
Dy the concurrent legislative action OF
the states, every Ct lid in tue American
Union, without reference tucreyd, caste,
color or condition, Will be thoroughly
aud etfectually instructed III all the ele
mentary branches OF English education;
;lnd that uniform text books, setting
forth the true history and theory OF our
National and State governments, will
be provided and introduced into all the
schools Of the country. Approximation
OF thought and opinion OF these subjects
is OF vital consequence TO the pernla
nence of the Union aud the stability Of
our republican Institutions. Had such
Il measure been Opportunely initiated,
the war Of the rebellion would scarcely
have been possible.
Should you deem your powers made
quate to enact suitable laws upon this
subject, the Constitutional Convection,
Habiliate you with sucn authority,
and thus lend their aid and influence
in making Pennsylvania the vanguard
in tue great mission OF universal edu-
cation.
FROM the report of the Superinten-
dent of Soldiers Orphans schools, and
other sources, feel fully authorized i'll
assuring you they were never before i'll
Il more tlourislimg and prosperous con-
dition.
Every child, legally eligible, and hay
ing made application, is now admitted
to these schools The whole number of
admissions since 1850 is 6429; the dis
charges from all causes 1902, leaving i'll
attendance 35-7, No larger number
will probably hereafter be attained, and
1t may confidently be expected that this
number viii be subject To an annual re-
ductlon OF ut least 500, until the system
shall have accomplished its mission.
The entire expense Of these schools TO
the State, since they Went into operation
in 1860, is So, 467 Obj Their cost
during the last year was S 40, ,245. Il.
1t is estimated 10y the Superintendent
that the future expenses, to the period
of their final extinction, will not exceed
800, 900.
The health of the children has been
excellent. Their exemption from small
pox, while it was prevailing all around
them, is remarkable; and no stronger
evidence of good management and the
propitious results Of systematic vacci-
nation could be adduced. The exem-