The Russellville Democrat., 1884-04-17
Report of Public school.

Report or fuDl1c ScnOOls
 To The Honorable Board of Education
 Russellville, Ark.
 In the following report, which have the honor to submit to you there is much that is gratifying to myself, and l trust, that it will be a source of qualification to every lover of free, public education, especially in Russellville; on the other hand, it contains many things, that are food for tue highest reflective powers of man or woman. And, gentle men, it is time for reflection. Dog matic principles, habits, manners, customs, ways and means have had their day; have been found wanting in everything that induces thought, mentality. external or internal pow CT, or in word, a thorough man hood. The school, over which it is your high privilege as we'll as re- llgious duty to preside, is above and beyond the "small fire" of cavil, cant, or empericism. To carry it to success is a work for thoughtful de- liberation, constant study. and a thorough, executive ability. It is not school of twenty in thinly populated region with no appliances but the birch rod and daily waltz ing to it's severe but convincing mu- sic. 1t represents hundreds of chil- dren in town life with all it's variety, vivacity, and difference of condition. It represents the boy who has been taught to obey from childhood, and to whom obedience is eithera bless Ing or curse, as that teaching was properly or improperly given; 1t likewise, represents the one, who, like the unclaimed Scythian has never known law of discipline, and to whom the obedience of school may prove a good or revilas the meth ods employed are in accord with truth. To ascertain the truth, and formulate methods from which a healthful obedience shall follow, as does the vanish of the snow before the gentle, yet powerful agency ot the sun, is your problem. It IS diff flcult and in it's solution you will find much to discourage you. And while add nothing to it's difficulty by saying, that this, the great prob lem of human life, IS now, has ever been, and may ever be, still by doing SO Iinvest your office with dignity md worth SURPASSED BY NO OTHER in lite. For what have all our legisla tors since Sinai been doing but at tempting to gain obedience by force! 1! Criminal codes have existed for thousands of years, and instead of becoming less important, are more general now than eyer. The en- ginery of law is at work in every community of the United States and is powerful only among that class of citizens who are above and beyond it's reach. If men fail in these so- called honorable fields to attain a system void of frictions, need you become discouraged if frictions ap- pear at every milestone of your off cial life? We have, It is seen much time for comparison, and much tune for thought, but none whatever for petty objections to or wholesale de nunciation of your grand work.
 Your duties are arduous with little sympathetic compensation. Allow me then freely and with no motive that can be decried, for this IS the last report I shall ever make to your body, to thank you individually and collectively, both new and old mem bers, for your unexceptional courte- sy to me as Principal of your school. I lay down my office as took it from your hands, in strict harmony and accord. Our relations have been pleasant, and they havo been to me q source of joy which l shall ever remember but with pride. Allow me also to commend You for the inter est you have taken in your official meetings In the development of the Russellyille school. Time will bring to you the just modicum of praise that is denied you now.
 Allow me to submit a few figures and make one or more suggestions
 The number of Male Pupils En- rolled was 160
 l" Female $ l95
 Total Enrolment 355
 Total Enumeration 392
 The ratio of enrolment to enumer ation is undoubtedly the greatest ever made in Arkansas, and is an honor to you as Board and a strong mark of your administrative ability.
 The Average Daily Attendance was 2I3'
 Males l0l
 Females 1I2.
 This average, 6l per cent. of en- rollment, is above the printed aver age of any graded school or any other school whose report IS before me, and 1 have many commencing Tn the "Way Down East" and extending to and including two of the best of our own State. This is an index also of right work upon your part. That yon have made no mistake in the selection of single teacher is strong ly attested.
 The number studying each gener. al branch is as follows; Orthogra-