The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-03-29
Annual Report
Of the Superintendent Of the Third Edu-
cational Division.

VI tAe oupennIenQent OF the Third Edu-
| catonal Division.
+ OFFICE Dry. SUpT. PUBLIC EDUCATION, }
THIRD DIVISION, ;
Franklin, La, October, 1872.
| 10 the State Superintendent of Public Edu
cation, State Of Louisiana:
SIR-1n submitting to you nv an
nual report at this date, l anu 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
as his successor in office. Mr.. Diossy
promptly transferred to me portion
OF the school records, expressed his
satisfaction at my appointment and
ceased to discharge the duties of the
office. | entered upon my duties inn
mediately after appointment only to
find an extended field of labor, re-
qulring large correspondence and
constant travel to make me properly
acquainted with its wants. In Sep
tember 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 tbeing properly notified
according to law) and defend the in
terest 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 shadow of jus
tice or equity. This money, taken
from the school fund under the protest
Of Auditor Graham and myself,
through the conniyance of the Attor-
ney General, deprived me of the means
to visit the majority of the parishes
of my division, confer with school
officials, and to properly discharge all
other duties of my Office. With this
statement, which will enable you to
understand the obstacles l have had
to encounter, and an apology for this
meagre report | proceed to the con-
sideratiOn Of
THEssCHOOL WORK.
The Third Division is comprised
Of fourteen parishes, extending in
length from the Southern boundary of
Mississippi to the eastern boundary Of
Texas, IL dist4Aise OF over two hundred
and fifty miles in Il direct line, with a
width of from one hundred to one
hundred and fifty miles. Its popula-
ton in 1870 was l53,O5l, and is in
creasing 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 1000 children
of the educable age prescribed by law.
Last year my predecessor reported
upwards of 10, 600, or only one fifth of
the number in attendance at school.
| now report from official sources
$40. Let it be remembered that III
this statement do 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
number of schools, with an atten-
dance equal, if not greater, than that
of the past year. ! feel warrantedi ill
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 on 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 Il
number Of new school 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,
active pupils, is passing away. 1t is
a general complaint, however, that the
present school fund Of the State is far
from being adequate to the necessities
Of public education. In parishes where
| (for various reasons) a local tax could
not be levied, and the State apportion
ments were solely depended upon,
schools have existed in irregular terms,
or have suspended for several months
in the year for want of funds. It is
hoped that the school officials, backed
by a wholesome public opinion, will
have no difficulty in procuring from
police juries and other corporate au-
thorities the coming year sufficient aid
to meet all necessary requirements.
POPULAR OPINION.
l have not a single report in my pos
session indicating opposition to sthe
public school system from political
sources. 1t is fact worthy Of note
that some of the most efficient school
directors IN the division are men who
but recently were bitter opponents,