The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-04-24

psrtments is given at POI which il evidently in
correct. as the number in 1871 was 1T. and the
present number is less than 100. The mistake
is either the superintendent's or the printers.
The Report for 1873 has not yet been sent to
thus county II 1t is issued. The Report for 1868
has no report from this county. The Report
for 1869 does not give the number Of certif-
Gates granted. No one regrets the omissions
more than msself. Brit what bearing do these
reports, incomplete as they are, have upon the
statements at the head Of this article?
II may be my unpleasant task hereafter to
chow from the superintendent records down
to date. that the above statements are farther
from the truth than now appears. But there
is no need of these figures. There Is better
argument than they afford for every fair mind.
II half the schools in the county were without
teachers, the charges might be as false as they
now are. The Supt. Is not bound to furnish
the schools with teachers. 1t is his duty to ex-
anime the candidates that present themselves
and license those that are qualified: and until
it ia shown that he has not done this the charges
must fall all the Grange Discussions" in the
country to the contrary notwithstanding
do not feel called upon to defend courses
OF study or methods OF teaching from attacks
made by men who taught few terms fifteen
or twenty-five years ago, and who have been
continually Boosting ever since Of the small
pay they received, without going into a school
house to make a visit once in five years. 1t is
enough for teachers Of the present day to know
that their methods are those that are sanctioned
1 of lie ;,,t ,a
educational work Of the State and country. II
our course is approved by such men we need
care little for what may be said by the fossilized
remains of a former era OF teaching, but may
80 On in our work believing that we are not
going back 20 the darkness OF old days, and
trusting that the words Of an old teacher OF
Van Buren, County. one who taught IN Paw
Paw twenty years ago are true THE boys
and girls of to-day have reason to thank God
that schools have changed since twenty-five
years rgo.'
had intende to devote part OF this paper
to the subject OF school visitation, but find
the matter so well treated by the farmers them
selves that have substituted the following ex-
tract in place Of what I might say. II Is an en-
tire copy Of discussion taken from the De-
troit Tri-weekly Tribune of April IS. The
comments of the editor Of the Tr,buse alone
are omitted
DoINGs OF FARMERS CLUBS.
Lenawee Junction Club-March 2s.-The reg
ular question was: :" Are our common schools
what they should be ," Mr.. Rodgers SAID tina,
parents are mostly too negligent OF the schools.
and show very little interest in them. Often
children go to school for part and even
whole term without books. w. j. Jones thought
the schools were not visited enough by parents
and that is so, no doubt Mr.. Westgate said
that the case with farmers but IL they
would visit the schools it would encourage both
scholars and teachers. Nrs. Jones thought
parents were greatly at fault here. We cannot
encourage children and teachers too much IL
this great elevating work. III any trouble arises
between teachers and children, we should have
the latter understand that they are as likely tC
be in fault as the teachers.
Mr. Weter thought that II children went to
school withoue books the teacher should SEND
them home. We ought, as individuals, tC
know what the condition OF the school is
Mr.. Mann believed our school system improved
by the county superintendent plan There il
a more uniform system or teaching which
brings the schools up to higher and a uniform
standard. He thought the county superlntend
ent bad more to do than he could do WE'LL
Edison Walker had taught school, but believed
the school-house not the only place to educate
our children. We should always be on the
alert to teach them. child during term-timt
should not lose day. There are very few tip
top teachers too many make il bus. aess FOL
short tme-a temporary expedient to make
a shift. Mrs. W eter said education should be
carried on at home, as well as at school.
Mr.. L. Walker said we have fine school
|, houses all over the land, but if parents do mo-
take an interest IN the schools they will no
flourish. Mrs. Jones asked why district schoo
cannot be made as good as a high school Tit
higher branches could and should be taught II
all schools, 90 that there will be no necessit,
TO send our children away when they reach fiji
teen or sixteen years OF age. Mr.. GOWN saic
when he went to school the only reader useC
was the New Testament Now we have reg
ular series and uniform system of books
Mr.. Colvln went on to state that our schoo
districts are generally too weak. They ough
to be consolidated 80 that there will be capita
and scholars enough 80 that first class teacher
tanned. !. \. Rodgers agreed with Mr.. Colvln
our districts should be etrong. then we ma,
have graded and better schools.
This certainly ought to be good authorit
among grangers. 1t seems that not all farm err
hold the same opinions as those who "said
so many things short time ago.
am glad that farmers are generally waking
up to the fact that schools need attention.
is the omen Of good that teachers have lonl
wished to see. 1t is to be hoped that teachers
school officers, and all who really have the goo
Of schools at heart will SEQ that the discussion
continues until people come to understand
that they have something to do beside fin
fault. The only object IN writing these article
is to aid in bringing about general discussion
OF school interests. II they shall in any wa
contribute to that end they will have accom-
plished their purpose. The interests OF parent
aud teachers are the came. They should wor
earnestly and steadily together. AMI see to
that the pillar of the government is erecte
on sure foundation.
n. A. EARLE.
DIED.