The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1876-01-08

TO the extingushment OF the debt; n careful cal
cuiation Will show, thst in ten years the entire
,nuebteuncsS OF the state will be redeemed
however desirable this reduction may he, and
gratiying asit certainly would be TO the ex-
ecuuVe, upaer whose administration large
portion OF IL would be made, yet the diminutOn
Of the t.xcs In 1873, TO the amount of one million
OF uo iars, and the five hundred thousand dollars
auo ,tlonal expenses made necessary by the new
gJnstitutiOn In behalf Of common schools, the
Judiciary and legislature, and the claims of de-
serving public charities, forbid this large reduc-
tion as the revenues are now distributed. By
another calculation IL appears that by taking
one-third ofthe corporation tax, which the leg
islature assigned to the slnkingfund, and dedi-
eating this one-third to the uses of the general
fund, the whole indebtedness can still be liqui-
dated In fifteen years. without additional taxa
ton, fund may thus be created, that with the
other revenues OF the general fund,
Will, with prudent management, possibly be
sufficient to meet all the necessary and proper
expenses of the government, and / recommend
that this change be made.
At the end of the last fiscal year there re-
manned IN the sinking fund the sum of nine hum
dred and thlrty-four thousl and and twenty eight
dollars and flfty-nine cents. There can be no
further redemption OF public debt until August,
1871, as all state loans reimbursable prior to
that time have been paid; and In the meantime
amount, will continue TO accumulate u large
balance, which there Is no authority TO invest.
therefore recommend the enactment ot n law
authorizing the sinking fund commissioners to
invest the surplus funds In the bonds of the state
or the United States as they deem most advan-
tageous, which lin accordance with the provisions
of the new constitution, are the only invest
ments that can be made, ana that these invest
ments be directed to be made monthly,
EDUCATION,
The prosperous condition OF our public schools
affords abundant occasion for Just pride. The
exhibit made In the report of the superintendent
Of the lberality and public spirit of our citizens
and an earnest pledge of what may be expected
oil them when any great or beneticent object
enlists their sympathy and support. Ten years
ago the commonwealth had one thousand seven
hundred and forty-three graded schools within
her limits; to-day there are five thousand SIX
hundred and twenty-five. During the last de-
cade the value of her school property has ap-
preciated from FIVE hundred and riNtyfUur
thousand eghty-eight dollars and eight cents
10 two millions one hundred and tifty-nine thou
sand four hundred and fifteen dollars and eighty
three cent?. In 1865 the state expended upon
her public schools three milloussiX hundred and
thirteen thousand two hundred and thirty eight
dollars and ftty-fve cents In 1875 the outlay
Tor itle same purpose was nine millions three
hundred and sixty three thousand nine hundred
and twenty-seven dollars and seventeen cents
Thirteen thousand eight hundred and sixty three
teachers attended, duling the last year, the
Teachers institutes held throughout the com
monwealth. In 1868 there were only
two thousand seven hundred and
sISty-fye in attendance upon their sess ons.
These figures are eloquent of the generosity of
our citizens and their ardent desire to facilitate
the attainment and promote the progress Of ed
ucation. 1t is interesting to observe, likewise,
that those employed In the instruction of our
youth appreciate this liberality of our people,
and are zealousy striving to make our school
system so comprehensive and thorough that
there will be fitting and just return for the ex
penditure incurred. 1t Is an accepted maxim
that the education of Its youth Is the most I'M
portant subject that can engage the attention of
community. There Is no capital more pro-
ductive, nor any more solid safer basis for the
welfare of a state than the inculcation of sound
principles and habits Of industry among its
children. 1t is as trite as 1t is true sa ying,
that idlenesS and vice are great burdens to So
ciety, and that virtue and industry contribute
to its welfare and dignity. Our title the
spect and gratitude Of posterity will therefore
largely depend upon our efforts in behalf of
OF right education, and 1t is for us TO gravcly
consider whether we perform our whole duty by
providing each year for the necessary expenses
of the school department, and make no endcavor
to extend its usefulness and benefits to new fields
of instruction. Is 1t not q reproach upon our
wisdom, and when we think OF the thousands of
children In our midst may it not also
be said upon our humanity to eXpend $40 900 600
upon public education and find thou
sands OF children who will not or can not avail
themselves of its privileges. No people have
moro tOtbe advancement of human
comfort and the abridgemcnt of labor by the ap-
plication of mechanical principles, or arc more
prolific of invention of useful kind than Inner
cans, and yet few countries give less attention
10 the development of this genius and the study
'truction than our own. With such capab ilities
and the opportunities for the application of me-
,hanieal principles at our very doors in the ln-
oldng and manufacture of our great resources,
ioes it seem the part of prudence and common
ense to permit all this vast expenditure to be
made without embracing In the plan SONS
methods Of instruction that will at least fit a
small number OF children for some special trade
)r occupation?
My opinions upon the subjects of compulsory
md industrial education are well known and it
lhey have discovered themselves to me after
nature and conscientious thought and investiga-
ion, and are founded, believe, upon principles
,f sound policy, and as their discussion and ne
,esslty arc enforcing themselves upon public at
'entton, respectfully ask ii the nature and i'm
portance of your trust as legislators do not exact
II you some consideration in this regard.
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
The methods of teaching have been vastly i'm
proved In the last few years, and 1t is conceded
many of these methods are the Outgrowth of the
normal schools of the state, the teachers from
which have contributed very materially 10 the
character and efficiency of the public schools.
Some persons have natural fitness for teaching,
but in most instances the qualifications therefor
are acquired, and in no way can they be so read
lily obtained as by the special preparation and
instruction received at the normal
school, where the principles and practices of
teaching are inculcated by experienced precep-
tors. The greater the number of these schools,
the higher we raise their standard, and the more
thorough the instruction impaired within their
walls the more widespread will be their influ-
ence, and 10 secure competency and promote the
welfare of teschers and pupils alike i trust the
legislature will extend to the normal schools
assistance may be needed to insure
their increased efficiency and usefulness.
SOLDIERS ORPHANS.
The continued favor of the legislature to the
schools wherein the orphans of our soldiers are
and taught, is an agreeable proof of
the patriotism of our people. What prouder
could we erect to the Pennsylvanians
who fell in battle than to care for aud educate
their children2 There will be little hope for our
institutions, when we cease TO be grateful TO
those who bled or died in their defense No
does more honor to her head and heart,
has been assumed by the commonwealth
than these schools forthe support and instruction
of ROldicrsp OrDhans and IL is of the QraVeSt