Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-09-03
schools for DeIaYare-NO. 2,-Ac-
knOwiedged Hncfficiency OF our
Present Schools.
IcontrIbuted for Inc colnmercInl.


What shall be done The brief survey of facts
at which we have glanced shows we have no
system of school supervision, by which we can
even report our condition to the Commissioner
of Education at Washington 1t appeared in
1869 that 1917 per cent of white population 20
years of age and over, were illiterate and 75l5
per cent OF our colored population now citizens
and voters. Our survey showed that we were M to
1870, lamentably behind any other of eight states
in our efforts to secure the means of instruction,
as even Maryland taxes herself go for each
member of her population, New Jersey 52.61,
Mass. S3.9O, while we expend only S0.92 for each
member of our commonwealth in educating orr
sons and daughters.
Are matters growing better Private enter
prise al We have seen in our state metropolis
has set such commendable example that num-
ber OF towns have instituted an aggressive
movement against the fearful darkness that was
seen to be settling down over our masses. But
this aggressive movement, important and desir-
able as it is, is only in behalf of the few. For
the multitude our state seems to be as indiffer-
ent as though she had no part or lot in taking
care of the training of her future citizens.
" But our laws are good enough now, says an
ex-member of the Legislature. They we're
framed by the great, good and honorable Judge
Hall. If so, let there be grand rally above all
political questions to enforce and execute these
laws.
Jndge Hall did n great work in HIS time,-a
work far in advance of the age, and for which he
Will be held in grateful remembrance by every
worthy citizen. Bnt it is not up to the demand
Of the present time. Fifty years has made won
derful changes in the education, progress. and
facilities, for improvement of every State in the
Union. What Judge Hall said nearly fifty years
ago is doubly emp attic now in this State.
The most depiorable calamity that can aflict
communities or individuals il that of neglected
mind; yet how great proportion OF mind in this
state Is lost through this negligence, how MANY
children wasting the best season of life for in
struction because there is no suitable school for
them. Parents are often careless about schools
and children are always ayerse to them. Ii the
community do not provide schools a great nor
ton OF the youth will be iniuriously stinted il
not altogether destitute of education And then
he adds "a rcaAon frequently and forcibly urg.
I'd for tho emigration that has carried from this
state many OF its most enterprising people
has been the want of suitable school,
for the education Of their children.
This declaration of Judge Hall was forcibly
u
ger about to purchase land by gentleman long
resident in the State. Said he sit is humila
ting fact that our common schools are general,
very poor and are Of little value in educating til,
masses of Our children. Persons accustomed tt
school privileges will not come and settl,
among us while there is so little opportunity fol
educating their sons and daughters. We ar,
hoping and waiting fora change We hone t,
elect legislature that will take an interest II
common school education.
Light years are gone and with them the schoo
NE OF generation has passed away, while til,
masses OF our children in our country schools
and i'll many of our towns, have grown up will
only rudimental knowledge OF education o
none at all. am astonished at the indifference
manifested by some of our best men, lam in
dignant at tue waste of the little money now ex
pended for educational purposes with scarcely
IN some schools, the semblance of an equivalent
y well educated man, native of New Castl
county, said Eve send missionaries to count1ie
whose children are better taught than hundred
N our country schools" Perhaps he did no
know, but it shows the impression on the mind
OF our best educated men, and which, from IN
own observation and the declarations Of Judg
Hail to the Commissioner of Education in Nov
1871, judge to be not so far out of the way
The state is divided into districts which seer
10 be generally of reasonable dimensions whic
may be increased diminished or altered by a nc
tlton OF twelve freeholders to the levy court
Two or more districts may unite to support
free school for their common benefit, while ia
power Of taxation shall extend to the sam
amount that might legally have been raised b
each Of the districts had they remained separate
This is rational and in advance OF any legal at
lion in any of the States mp to the time Of it
enactment.
Ou the first Saturday of April, annually, ther
by law school meeting to be held, at whic
all residing within the district who have pai
their school tax for the preceding year are ent
tied to vote. They elect one member of tn
school committee annually to serve for thre
years. They decide by ballot "for tax" {
against tax" by majority vote. II the
vote ''no tax school may be maintained b
subscription. The amount that might be lepa
ly levied as tax was fixed in 1851 in New Ia,
tie county at S75 and has since been raised /
500 in district in Kent county at $50, an
in Sussex at $50.