The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1874-01-15

NUMBER 2S.
our disposal. BY this it should not be inferred
that there is not the closest economy in school
expenditures. For the most part there is this
and vet that policy which loses sight of the fact
that good teacher is cheap at any price, and
poor Instructor dear oven if his services are
GfatnltoUS, Is not true economy. but waste.
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
Il is in this direction that Our two Normal
Schools are comforting lasting benefits upon the
public schools of this State. Recognizing the
trath that the highest success rs a teacher re-
quires not only natural aptitude, but also. like
other professions, special preparation and train
ing, the State has wisely established and main-
tional system. Probably no money expended
IN educational directions, yields larger returns.
The teachers who go forth from Pennington
and Castine. not only impress themselves on
the schools over which they are called 10 pre-
side but also make their influence felt for good
over many otler instructors with whom they
come in contact. No one who has watched the
progress OF our common schools for the past
decade, can have failed to discover striking
Improvement i'll methods of instruction. COM
In9 largely from the influence Of our normal
schools. Whatever appropriations are rcqln-
eel to maintain their high standard and excel
ience. and increase their means of usefulness.
should be matle; and made, TOO, in the interest
of the Wiocsl economy. II should not be for
gotten HAT Il special necessity for increasing
the efficiency Of our common school syst~,1,
has arisen from the fact that the intense act Nty
perVading modern American life is seriously
abridging the time within which ou1 public
schools must do their work. by withdrawing
our youth from them at .cast five years earlier
than formerly; while al the same time if is
neCcS~ltatiu9 broader culture
SNli"oI' SUPERVISION
Next to Skiltul Instructions nothing j more
essential to the highest efficiency Of our public
schools. than careful intelligent and wel-,us-
tanned inspection and supervision Excellent
rs Is the work of most OF our school committees.
yet II Is not to be expected that men engaged
IN other pursuits, cam spart the time requisite
to keep abreast Of the progressive educational
movements of the times, and thus be able to
suggest Improvements III the work Of the teach
erS under their charge. and inspire i'll them that
professional pride and ambition which i 50
essential TO success: A. it is physically impos-
>Ible for the state superintendent to personally
and effectively reach the several towns and
toWn committees sooner or later ii will be
found necessary to establish some form of inter-
m+Hlalr snptrN!~Ion' though the state super.
his nhsarvati3n nnH n,nainnrn na .n,.,,,, vi
nnjf,.,, ,,Sta,, tb+ viIl lo Ill, 1.i,,'t;,
anI crtftil,tjon or to,bn. y. vaI1 fia
effective in>ppctiou of schools In yirv of fine
fact tL.t ti,nr ,,Il ,,,...,n. vim ha ,l,,,i,,1
10 perfect and extend fine Free Uioh school
S,.,f,n so tIt it, ,I-,,t,l - ~ ~,
every town. [ do net recommend thar any leo
iSlativc step, be taken nj present to SeGurn n
more effective inspection orthcrommon schools,
but trust that the subject may continue to r.-
yciye that subtle ren-ilnratits ,,hi,.h = ;H+
! n,.ta,,r, ,,1l,y. ,jo,nal,i ''
r,, ,.r,,.. .,.,,
THE DISTRICT HFsrEM
" hie II ) generally conceded by the most eX-
Pefithcrd educators tnat me District system Is
IN Ihr way 81 lhe highr>t rlhrlenry IN thc puldic
sthoolS' N"' III view oi tht stiong hol't winch 1t
ha> on the puhhc mnd' ii would be unWl~e for
legislation 10 90 further at present than 1t has
already gone i'll simply authorizing towns to
ABOLISH the system ana manage the school as
unit Many towns have already done tins.
aud i'll every case with satisfactory results.
BY this change better teachers have been
secured, the smaller districts have had the
same length OF school is the more dCnSely
populated village centres, less difficulties have
been encountered, and more effective in,pec
tlon had. For the present, however these
are considerations thai must be addressed to the
citiIehS OF inc several towns, rather than TO
'l'' i'"-naN'fS'
OBLIGATORY AITENDANCE,
notwithstanding tue large expenditures to
maintain free schools in sufficient number to
secure % every child such elementary education
ana training ~ aII alike WILL need for the COM
MON d'tti'> ani tht ordinary pursuits Of life vet
iIt- :I~t census makes the startling announce
m'N' that there are l''iN6 persons IN Ih> state.
aj owe ten Years oi @@r, W no cannot rtIu or
NfHr. oar STATE u1He may De NolncWhlt sails
it't 10y the consideration That Il large portion OF
TINS army OF iinttr&it> are lmhl&EHhi9' YET We
cannot lose sight oil tho fact thai they and their
'hlldren are hoW paHt "t our people, anu that
tHrIt e'ttl-2tlon mto American htcdN and duties,
iitN batoih" douhiN essential. but the evils OF