The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-01-14

10 ia behests, asl uDit ,U ;i.1 s.tieli.
tsaa 70 ithfully easore, 20 '' ',,,', ,,,o"S
=, - administration, the
~ w. v;a.;ar grows stronger in my mino
~ -.5od government depends not
~ zach upon written laws as upon
cne disposition of the people to com
plv with the demands of the laws
and the determination of those del
igated to execute them to see that
their mandates are enforced. Re
form 1t viii be conceded, cannot be
obtained BY mere constitutional en-
actment, nor surrounding Offices and
trusts with additional restraints.
The worlds history from the earl.
lest ages, has shown that no code
OF laws. however comprehensive OF
restrictive, will evadc mans ingenui.
lty If bent upon overstepping theiI
/ bounds; and wise and necessary as the
provisions of the new Constitution
may be, they viii never secure the
ends designed unless sustained by Q
strong, active, healthful aud intelli,
gent sentiment that will interest it.
self in public affairs. 1t will not suf-
/ fee to enact that integrity and lit-
ness are essential qualifications for
Office, unless the people see to it that
none without these qualifications are
selected. It is the indifference and
iGattention Of electors to their pri-
mary political duties, connected with
nominations and elections, that de-
spoil the law of its sanc,ity and al
/ ford security to those who wiliully
disobey its requirements. Men do
not fulfill the obligations Of citizen
ship by merely enjoying the protec-
tion our institutions afford. TO per-
1 form his whole duty to the State,
every citizen should actively engage
! in political concerns when the rccur-
ring elections invoke his attention and
/ Interference. In our system Of gov
eminent every man entitled to vote
/ is envested With a grave public trust.
and if, through Indifference or ne
glect, he fails to discharge the sacred
duties il imposes, be is almost as
culaable as the other who deliberate
ly violates the law. With this new
departure in organic law let there al
so be an accompanying resolution on
the part of all good citizens that they
will attend diligently and consciens
tiouslv to the selection of men for
Office whose dignity Of character and
Intellect will be an adequate guaran-
ty that .hs new Constitution VIII be
safe in their keeping.
Upon the present Legislature de-
wolves a duty involving great care
and labor. and which if discharged,
as believe it will be, with proper
regard for the public interest, wl!i re-
dound to its credit and honor. To
YOU is committed the important
trust of molding existing regulations
into conformity with the change
about to be inaugurated in the fun
dimental law Of the State. Bring TO
the performance Of this high aad re-
sponsible duty ali the wisdom you
possess, iivcst yourselves Of all sell
FISH considerations, deVote time and
thought TO The work, and with the
new Constitution as your constant
guide, bind up a good and symmet-
rical system of laws, and let us 30
far as it lies in our ability start the
State forward upon her future ca
reer, clothed with ample powers to.
extend her enterprise, and fulfill her
great destiny.
To another consideration ! invite
public attention. All special enact
ments are not necessarily bad laws,
while It may be equally accepted Is
true that all general enactmcnts are
not good laws. Ienjoin upon the peo-
pie of the whole State increased vigil
lance In their watch over all leglsla-
ton. Attempts viii doubtless be made
to obtain special objects through the
instrumentality of general laws, which
while they may benefit one interest or
locality, might prove very oppressive
to others. Let every citizen who has
the interest of the State at heart, lend
his assistance to the Legislature and
Executive. to detect and Illustrate such
schemes.
SCHOOLS.
The interesting report Of the Super
intendent Of Common Schools viii
command your thoughtful attention,
because Of the important subject OF
which it treats and the many valu
able suggestions it contains. Penn
svlvania, it will be observed, is max
ing decided progress in the cause of
education, increasing the number Of
schools. enlarging each year the
sphere Of instruction, extending the
time within which schooling can he
obtained, aud supplying more OF the
necessary for the com
fort and health of the scholars and
teachers. For wears. in this State,
doubts of the practicability of sys-
TEN Of public schools beset and Grip
pied the cause Of education but iu
dicious and careful management has
happily dissipatcd this mistrust. and !
our people are now united in the con-
viction of the utility and wisdom of
free and universal instruction !
Those concerned in the administra-
ton Of public affairs are expected to
devote to the vital problems of edu-
cation the time and consideration |
they deserve, and | have no doubt
that the present Legislature viii lcok |
into and provide remedies for many /
Of the deficiencies that still exist in /
our present school SYSTEM Promi- |
uent among the defects is the lack of
proper training and other qualifca-
tions Of the teachers Of the schools.
"Of the l5 003 teachers receiving
certificates TO teach during the year,
only 3T4 were found to have thor
1ugh knowledge Of reading, writing,
arithmetic, geography and grammar,
md that practical preparation for
heir profession which insurcs sue
,ess." is the startling declaration
made by the Superintendent of Com
non Schools. There must certainly
be a radical change in this regard, it
We would have our children attain \
wen the rudiments Of an ordinary
.hucnfinn Tho necessity of nstnh