West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-07-28
COMMUNICATIONS.
sketch OF the Free Sch 100, system
0t PcWusy
Ry A W. r.

Gocd instruction - better than riches
was William Penn's motto for the Quaker
School established IN Philadelphia Ia 1857.
The original ''frarse OF government pro-
vided that ''scho, y should he established
for the education of the young
More than 900 laws fostering the cause
OF education were enacted befose the free
| school system was devised tu 1884, but
! without "a systematic effort progress was
not rapid. Provision WAS made for the
educstisn of pAvper children and pupils
were listed rs pay scholars sDd pau,
per scholars" Such distinction between
children entirely irresponsible for The poy-
erty or wealth Of their parents could not
long endure; It was too undemocratic,
too foreign to the tree spirit OF republican
Institutions.
Thsddeus Stevens, the ardent advocate of
freedom and enlightenment, aud other
friends of progress, the school system vas
| originated. II WAS wisely done. AT first
It's adoption was optional in the several
| districts, and 80 remained till 1S49.
In 1895 the opposition attempted to de-
slroy the system, but ingloriousiY failed,
Gov. George Wolf having promised to
veto any repeal Of the free school laws.
The opposition war not inconsideIabNe.
Conservative minds always cling TO old
forms. Men of property fought the sys-
tenn because of it's alleged oppressive and
unjust taxation. The churches were not
It's best friends, because they looked upon
the school ms being auxiliary To the
church and opposed the so -callcd (secu }
political education" TIER idea was
that the school house should stand IN the
shade Of the church. The lines between
the secular education of the week DAY
school and the religious instruction Of the
Sabbath School were VI then understood
or defined as they now are. The German
opposed 1t because II threatened TO rob his
children of Idle deutsche sprache."
The township politician and the cross
rOnds statesman raising "a tempest IN
teapot opposed il for the sake Of exalted
place and coveted power! And last of all
The ignoiamus opposed il with the best
1
better. But II survived all opposition,
and is teddy the pride Of generation
which 1t has abundantly blessed with a
free salvation from blighting ignorance
In 1886 his ''ssuer krsut excellency, 4"
Gov. Ritner, determined that tho com
mon school system should go into opera =
item, and IL went. ThOs. II. Burrows,
then Secretary of the Commonwealth,
WAS ex-cflicio Safe Superintendent of
schools.
He was more than q superintendent he
Travelled, labored, studied to ,ffectuhte the
oigan'zation of the schools az a n eccssaiy
preliminary to experimenting the same.
His efforts gave life to the system, lac
drafted much of the school legislation at
that time He originated the Normal
School law AZ passed in 1857, intended to
conserve the system 10y supplying trained
and competent teachers. He established
and for years edited the Pennsylvania
School journal
In 1857 the important work of gu 2ervip-
ion was vested In a State Superintendent,
IN County Superintendents aud in Super
intendents OF city or graded schools
lhus headed by executive and supervis-
Dry officers, the efficiency and vigor of the
system have steadily increased. The
State Superlntendency is held by appoint
mcnt and the Superintendent has given
him ample liTe TO mature his plans aud
sac the fruits of bis policy. The State
superintendent have been Henry G..
Hickok. Thomas f. Burrows, Charles II,
COburn, james T.. Wickcrsham and f. r.
Higbee. the present incumbent.
County Suqerintendents are elected fsr
a term OF 3 years by the directors Com
missioners) of the several school districts,
Casually towns and townships) Of the
county The district board OF directors is
composed OF Six members who serve 8
years each, two being elected annually,
In 1864, subdivisions Of districts and
sub-cnmmittees (trus,ees) were abolished,
full power was given directors 10 direct
school affairs geDerally--to levy building
tax and locate school houses as we'll as 10
employ the teachers.
The State Superintendent holding by
appointment, and the County Superinten-
dents being chosen by the directors, the
charge Of partizan control Of the schools
is never brought forward, AMI the schools
are truly the most popular institution of
the Keystone State.
The constitution Of 1872 provides that
not less than 81 900, 900 shall be annually
appropriated 10 the free schools.
Though the system batlled for by Ste
Yens, Burrows, Wolf and Ritner, IL net
claimed 10 be the best ever devised, yet
the people have become acquainted with
lie structure and workings, opposition has
disappeared, no change is desired aud
nothing but the hand Of God or the vio-
lence Of Nature can destroy the free
school system Of Pennsylvania with its
POO districts sggregatiUg 1S GJ5 schools
With an enrolment Of $50 900 pupils,
taught by 81 875 teachers under the super.
vision Of % superintendent and the en-
tire machinery Of education engineered By
IA 500 directors who control so, SOC. 900
worth OF property, ard annually e1reDd
about $500, 900 for good instruction"