The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-01-12

uooTs 10 tne unfolding a1d manufac
turing of our great resources, does i
seem the part of prudence and com
mon sense to permit all this vast ex
pendlture to be nade without em
bracing in the plan some methods O
Instruction that will at least Git s
small number of children for some
special trade or occupation.
Ny opinions upon the subjects o.
compulsory and industrial education
are well known and it is unnecessary Y
: for me again to advance them. They
have discovered themselves to me af
ter mature and conscientious though,
and investigation, and are founded,
believe, upon principles of sound
policy, and as their discussion and
necessity are enforcing themselves
upon public attention, | respectfully
ask If the nature and importance of
your trust as legislators do not exact
of you some consideration in this re-
gard
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
The methods of teaching have
been vastly improved in the last few
years, and it is conceded many of
these methods are the outgrowth of
the Normal schools of the State, the
teachers from which have contributed
very materially TO the character aud
efficiency of the public schools.
! Some persons have d natural fitness
for teaching, but in most instances
the qualification therefor are acquired,
and 10 no way can they be so readi-
/ ly obtained as by the special prepara-
tion and technical instruction re-
ceived at the Normal school, where
the principles aud practice of teach
ing are inculcated by experienced
preceptors. 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 Influence, and to secure compe-
tency and promote the welfare of
teachers aad pupils alike, | trust the
Legislature will extend to the Nor
NAL schools whatever assistance NAV
De needed to insure their increased |
efficiency and usefulness.
SOLDIERS ORPHANS.
The continued favor of the Legis-
lature to the schools wherein the |
orphans Of our soldiers are maintain
aud taught, is an agreeable proof of
the patriotism of our people What /
prouder monument could we erect 4
to the Pennsylvanians who fell in /
battle than to care for and educate
their children ? There will be little
hope for our institutions, when we
cease TO be grateful to those who
bled or died in their defense. No
more responsible charge, and one
which does more honor TO her head
aud heart, has been assumed by the
Commonwealth than these schools
for the support and instIuction,of our
soldiers orphans; and it is of the
grayest importance that this trust
should be administered not only in
good faith to the State, but with a
special view to the comfort aud care.
ful education Of these unfortunate
children. Ten years have elapsed
since the close OF the war, and many
Of the children of our deceased SOL
diers have reached years Of msturi- .
". Every year the number for
whom the State must previ4e be-
comes less, and it is apparent that
there is no necessity for the continu-
ance of so many schools of this kind,
and that, under the present system,
with the number of pupils decreasing
each year, and the receipts for their
maintenance and instruction CORE
spondingiy diminishing, the proprie-
tors of these schools cannot conduct
them without loss or necessarily re-
ducing the food, clothing or tuition
o. the children. These proprietors
arc paid stipulated sum for the care,
tuition, clothing and food of each
child. The sum pald is upon basis
that gives to each school, we will
suppose, two hundred children. 1t
is manifest, when this number is re-
duced to one hundred, and all ar
ran nsements have been made for the
care and instruction of two hundred,
either the proprietors or the children
must suffer: and TO rescue both from
any such misfortune, ] recommend
that the Superintendent of Public In
struetion be directed TO select the
best schools at the most advanta-
geous points, to which shall be trans
ferred all the children for whom pro-
vision is now made, aud that this
process continue until the last orphan
child is educated Under this sys-
-em, there will be no temptation to
maintain these schools perhaps to the
ietriment of the children, and
he State will be assured that
is bounty is properly and fully be-
slowed
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. ,