The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1877-01-04
PUBLIC EDUCATION.


distinguished credit to himself and the
18th day OF August last, appointed Hon. Joseph Bard
We'll OF Lauderdae county, the position vacant
by the resignation of Prof Gathright Dr. b. entered
upon the discharge of his duties the 1st day Sep
tember gentlemen OF intelligence and refinement,
peculiarly fitted for the position, under his management
the Department OF Education is conducted with ability
and satisfaction.
The system of Public Education has become part of
our State Government and in every section the people
seem to be alive to the importance of and liberal
education for the youth of both races Few if any OBJ
staceS are inerposed by any class of citizens, and
soon it confidently believed the Free School System
of Mississippi will compare tavoraby with that of older
richer and more experienced States.
The following statistics for 1876, will prove interest
Total number of educabe children in State:
White males. 81 972
females. 70 9I6 --164 9lS
IColored males, ........... 50 9O7
females, loo 271 100 07S
85l 99G
Total number in schools:
White, ~...,...........~76 Ops
Average monthly enrolment in schools hos l'S 2Ot
White, -~....... .............-65 384
Colored.....: .......6S $50 -133 9G4
Number of teachers employed:
Colored .,......1 233 5 361
Receipts for scholastic year, from so counties
Normal schools ..s4n 422 50
counties reported exclusive of Univers
ties and Normal Schools) ..... SILT 76O p
Average number of days taught during scholastic year
in schools outside Incorporated cities and towns is So
Average monthly salary paid teachers, reported in
so counties, is, white $43 90, coored, $50 55.
The State Universities and Normal Schools are report
ed to be in afourishng condition. The number of
dents in attendance the University of Mississippi is at
present IA in Normal Department of Tougaoo Univer
sty, II, and in Preparatory Department. 1O9; in the
Normal School at Holly Springs, 70. The two latter
are schools for coored students
A1corn Uniyrrsjty
[ am glad to be able state that AIcorn University
bids fair become what its founders designed it be- to
frst-class University for the education of the
ored youth of Mississippi. The University has had a
|chequered career. hardly need mention to you its
condition when you session last January for
it we'll known. Mismanagement and other causes
had left it almost wreck, University only in
Parents had become dshearened and many them had
withdrawn their sons; discipline had become lax as to
be almost poweress in restraining students from evil
practices the college classes had become badly deranged
and, in instances, entirely broken up valuable
property had been destroyed or stolen everyhing
in state of confusion, Feeling a and
deep interest in its welfare and appointed
Board of Trustees composed of gentlemen who l
sured felt like interest in AlcOrn University On the
goth day ofJuly last rendered the position Of President
to Hon H. r. Revels feeling confident that he above all
Others could place the University upon a prosperous
footing Dr. r accepted and Immediately entered upon
the discharge of his duties The result has been most
satisfactory and gratifying The fall term opened the
18th day of September, and there 80 students in
attendance with the prospect Of perhaps double that
number at the opening of the winter term, at
hand. The change of management has restored conf
dence, and there is known to why the In
lStltutOn
hundreds The expense to each student per week tu
on boarding. washing, fuel and lights not exceed
81 35. Scores of young may be enabled to prose
cute their studies within its walls whose poverty would
otherwise shut them out. The strictes regard is now
paid the cultivation of good morals and habits in the
Students and the Faculty earnestly striving profit by
past sad experience leaving nothing undone sur
round the young men with such influences will tend to
their moral elevation The marked good department Of
the Students together with the commentators of
the leading citizens of the vicinity leads believe
that the Institution has before bright and successful
career I'll
The State Superintendent of Public Education informs
me that he experiences much difficulty in obtaining from
county Superntendents the official reports required by
law. Some legislation may be needed to compel
pliance with the law 1t is very important that the
ports be furnished within the time fixed
The State Superintendent also informed that he finds
great confusion exists in the minds County Supern
tendens Teachers and Trustees, and many legal
gentlemen, the precise import of enactmens
in relation the free school system The ground such
diversity confusion should certainly be removed in
so far as they due the defects of legislation 1t is
Exceedingly important that the Public School System
the State should be thoroughly organized upon basis
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