Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1877-02-14
Public Instruction Report.

The Superintendent of Public In
struction, in his report for the past
two years, has the subjoined to say in
relation to the schools of LYON
county:
"Sllver City has, in the face of
serious discouragements, succeeded
in holding its well earned reputation.
Notwithstanding the loose and un-
satisfactory manner in which the at
fairs Of the department and the school
were left by the sudden departure of
the late County Superintendent (who,
at the time, was also the teacher)
both are in flourishing condition.
Under the present teachers the school
has been thoroughly organized, and
placed upon very satisfactory basis.
The statistics have been compiled
with some difficulty, and present a
fair exhibit of affairs. Mr.. McDuffie.
the succeeding Superintendent, has
done all in his power to rectify the
mistakes made. The County Treas
urer, in connection with his report,
says: 1.-THE report of the (late) Coun-
ty Superintendent will not balance
with the books Of the County Auditor
in any amount, and is therefore false
in every respect. There has been a
large amount Of money paid to the
Trustees of District No. 2, which has
never been received by me-"
"The well constructed stone school
house at Dayton is one Of the best of
its size in the State. 1t shows evil
dent care, and displays the interest
constantly manifested by the citizens.
Blackboards are arranged over the
entire length of the walls, the floor
covered with mating, flowers and
vines are growing in all the windows,
appropriate notices and pictures
adorn the walls-in fact it is the
most comfortable, attractive, and
pleasant school-room / have visited
in the State. The school itself is in
every way worthy of its surround
ings.
"Sutro supports small school. in
a rented building we'll arranged, and
successfully conducted The popu-
lation is small, but considerable in
terest is manifested"
The report shows that in 1875
Lyon county had 293 children of
school age, and received from the
general school fund $2,706.66. In
1875 the number of children was 1913,
and the amount received $2,19006,
showing considerable increase in
the school population.
We append some extracts from the
report which will be read with ad-
vantage by parents and educators:
"The compulsory law has not
proved success or answered the
purposes for which it was designed,
owing to the impracticabiity of en-
forcing it.
"The general interest of the people
IN public education was never more
manifest than it is at present. From
personal association and converse
ton with citizens and parents
throughout the State, l am satisfied
that the strong interest taken is born
of the practical working of our free
schools. Their importance and bene-
tit are being acknowledged by those
who never before gave the subject a
thought. Money is literally con-
tributed for school purposes, where
it could not be raised for any other
public object. There has been only
one instance in which school tax
has been voted down, and that was in
the interest of corporation, against
the wishes of the people most inter-
ested. This interest produces very
healthy feeling which reacts upon
the schools, melting the teachers to
activity aud the children to industry
As the parents are interested, the
children are more so.
"While | have been able to report
the schools in a flourishing condi-
ton, it is by no means to be inferred
that our teachers are all competent.
While we have some of the very best,
we have some Of the very worst; |
have in some instances been COM
PEELED to advise removals on account
of incompetency. recommend that
the State Superintendent, by and with
the consent of the State Board of
Education, be empowered to remove
incompetent teachers, even if it be
against the will of district trustees.
The employing power-the trustees
-dosnot correct the error, and it de-
mands prompt action to correct it,"