Los Angeles daily herald., 1873-11-04
gos Aagslss Aerala,

ADDRESS
Delivered by W. N. McFadden. County Super.
ntendent OF Public Instruction, before the
Teachers institute in this City, Nov, 5th.
Ladies and Gentlemen, and FellOW-
Citizens: Again we have assembled in
conyention to discuss various subjects
of mutual interest and profit, pertain
ing to our profession. We can be
engaged in no subject of greater i'm
portance than the promotion of the
welfare of our common schools; they
Immediately underle the characteris-
tic features of our social system, and
all the fountains of that widespread
intelligence which, like n perennial
vitality, pervades the nation and are
the nurseries OF that inquiring spirit to
which we are indebted for the purity
and preservation of our free institu-
tions. They remove bigotry, preju-
dice, oppression and superstition, and
substitute liberality, freedom of
thought, freedom of expression, cOur-
age and loyalty. They elevate all who
improve the advantages offered by
them to higher and nobler life.
In some things the schools of Los
Angeles county are in very satisfac-
tory condition. The only objection l
can urge is, that large minority of
the children do not avail themselves
OF the opportunities offered by attend
ing school, although the last years
statistics show large increase over
former years. 1t is a great cons olation
to me- who have been County Super
intendent of Schools for nearly four
years, to see the schools under my su-
pervision in so tlourishing and pros
porous u condition. AS statistics are
usually dry and uninteresting, l will
present but few, comparing the edu-
cational condition of the county now,
with what it was four years ago.
When took charge of the office of
Superintendent of Schools, there We're
4,424 census children between and Is
years of age. Now there are GLIB.
Then there were 1854 under years;
now there are 2,475. Then there We're
1878 in public or private schools, or 40
per cent. of all between 5 and Is years
of age; now there are 1881, or 81 per
cent. Then there were "a districts;
now there are 80. Then the valuation
Of school property was S22,6 ,62s; now it
is S93,73G Then the amount of sala-
ries paid teachers was Sl3,647; now it
is $3O,s6s. Then the average yearly
term was months; now it is 7. Then
the average monthly salary paid to
teachers was S74; now it is SS4. Then
the average salary to lady teachers
was $66; now it is S7S. Then the total
annual expenditure for all school pur-
poses was $lS,717 SO; now it is $685.
S92 48. Then the annual receipts from
all sources for school purposes were
$33,6 %; now they are $67, 426 13.
Then there We're but eight teachers
who held diplomas, or first-grade cer-
tificates; now there are 33 t-grades.
Then there We're IA second-grades; now
there 16. And then, as now, there
were six third-grades.
During the same time twenty four
new school buildings have been erected,
most of which are substantial and
elegant houses constructed upon inn
proved plans, and nearly all furnished
with excellent patent bent-wOQd fur
niture.
Improvements have been made
contracts are let for the erection of four
more houses. Truly, there has been
progress made in the construction of
houses, and believe the intellectual
progress have kept pace with the
material. l held out every induce
ment to teachers of experience and re-
cOgnized ability to come and "buckle
on their armOr' and do battle with us,
and congratulate Los Angeles coun-
ty on having such corps of teachers
in her public schools. During an ex-
perience of thirteen years as teacher
in different States and different coun-
ties of this State, without fiattery to
the teachers here, can truly say, that
/ have never seen more dignified and
intelligent lot of teachers than those
of Los Angeles county, not merely
book worms but minds stored with
general information, enriched by
travel, and coming in contact with the
outside world, reading and observa-
tiOn. All of whom are leaving their
impress upon the various schools.
I regret to say that only three
fourths of all the children between 5
and Is years attend public and private
schools. Ignorance is the worst foe to
reform, intelligence is essential to ma
terial growth, and virtue to moral
progress. Culture of the head and
culture of the heart are the direct ave-
nues to these two ends. Ignorance Is
no doubt the cause of great deal of
the want, misery, degradation, and
crime Our prisons, in which we cage
the human wild beasts that prey upon
mankind, and our alms-hOuses, those
common sewers in which we float the
dregs of society down to the grave, are
full to overflowing. Houses are
licensed by law, or allowed by custom
in almost every town and village, to
minister to the depraved appetites of
the bad and to allure the unsuspecting
to destruction. Trade has its decep-
tions. Hypocrisy sits with brazen
face in front pews. The love of money
displaces in mems bosoms, all sense OF
honor, Justice and honesty. Human
spiders lurk in every corner to lure in
to their tolls, the innocent and suck
their blood. Public duty yields up its
life, to the hungry pack of private
interests, and Patriotism grows sick
at heart in being compelled to witness
the sacrifice. Corruption with
giants strength and fiend's purpose,
Is sapping the very foundations of free
institutions among US, and the goddess
of Liberty weeps continual tears in
view of the danger that threatens her
slong-sought home of freedom. st8
We cannot expect much Of political
parties which need reforming them
selves. Society may rot. If it does 30
in the dark, unseen in the garret or
cellar the best laws are satisfied. The
Church calls men to repentance with
voice that is heard throughout the