Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-08-21
LOCAL AND PENINSULAR.
a FATAL RdsLkUaD AOCInE nERT
NEAR GLASGOW.
Arrested at Smt's Hammock for
selling Liquor 0n the Eiy-
ActuDry Coni Rd's AnnnaI Report.

Henry G. Conrad, Bsq sctusry OF the
Dalawase Association for the education Of
colored people, has prepared his report
for tho school year commencing October
lat, 1883, and ending June 30ih, 1884.
He says:
am grati6ed to be able to state that
during the past year there have been no
steps backward in tne work OF cOlored
education in the State. / had expected
that the increase in the smount sppro-
priated by the state to the colored
schools, from $2,400 TO 5000 would
have the tendency Of materially enlarg-
ing the schools. No particular gain has
been made; and yet am convinced that
the continued wet weather during the
winter, which rendered the roads
throughout the State almost impossible,
was largely the cause of the failure 10
increase the number Of scholars enrolled.
The eolored people appreciate very fully
the aid extended to them by the state.
The present appropriation has very
greatly lessened their burdens, and the
school year just past has resulted
in bringing them much nearer to
tsfree school" system. In many looali-
ties the amounts arieing from the State
appropriation and from the school tax
funds have been sufficient to meet the
expenses OF the schools. In several
others only small tuition was required
from the scholars In addition to the
amount appropriated. The increased
appropriation had the effect of starting
the schools earlier In the term, q very
large part Of the schools opening In
November, whereas, heretofore, very
many did not open until December and
January. The tendency the past year
has been towards shortening rather than
being to divide the gross amount appro-
priated to each school into monthly parts
large enough to about meet the expenses.
The result has been that the total num-
ber Of months Of school taught during
the past year is 10 months less than the
year before. In several localities the
schools were continued q month or
more beyond the term, at the
expense OF the people interested. The
total number Of schools In the State, out
side Of Wilmington was IS. OF these
one was open months, 2 were open z
months, Il were open months, were
open 81 months, 2 were open 81 months,
Is were open s months, 2 were open a
months, 25 were open months, and one
was open 81 months. The average length
Of the school term for the State was Al
months. For new Castle county 44-5
months, for Kent 45.6 months, and for
Sussex Al months. The highest monthly
enrolment for the schools outside Of Will
mington was 8, 400, showing decrease Of
80 from the year previous. The number
Of schools in the State Ia the
same as reported last year.
The total amount donated to these
schools from all sources for the year was
IS, 1856. SO, as compared with &c, ,351. 81 for
the year before, showing an increase for
the past year of 1,s83.92. The average
amount paid each month to each school
In New Castle county was $23. In Kent
county $24.50, and in Sussex county
$2s. There has never been year when
the conduct of the schools was more har-
monious. With but very few exceptions
the pupils, teachers and trustees have
gotten through the term without dis
turbinE cause Of any kind. As
a rule the teachers have proven
themselves to be industrious, and
intent upon the welfare and progress of
the pupils under their charge. During
the month of February meeting Of the
teachers of the oolored schools OF Della
ware was held at Dover. II was the first
effort OF the kind ever made, was in
charge OF the teachers themselves, and
brought together large and interested
assemblage. The sessions occupied two
days and the proceedings proved of much
advantage to those attending. 1t was
decided to continue the meetings from
year to year, the next one to he held at
Seaiord.
"The oolored schools during the past
year have been under the general super
vision of the State superintendent Of
free schools, as provided by the act Of
assembly passed April 18th, 1888, but at
the beginning Of the school term at the
request OF the superintendent, and by
arrangement with the Delaware Associa-
tion, I have continued to look largely
after the detail Of the work in much the
same way as for the past seven years.
This arrangement has proved satisfactory
and the work has moved forward with
ont any drawbacks. As regards the
financial arrangements, no delays have
occurred except in Kent county where
some of the collectors have been tardy in
phytuR ONdT tu6 huOuutb AflbluR
from the c0lored school taxes.
The school taxes levied for the year
1882 were relied upon for the support
OF the schools during the last term (from
October 1883 to July 1880, and in all
ossea they were forthcoming when needed
except in two or three instances In Ken.
county where delay occurred that would
have seriously inoOmmoded the teachers
had not interested friends advanced the
amounts needed. / was prevented from
making general visiting tour among the
schools during the term owing largely to
the very bad condition of the roads. Some
points were visited both by the State
superintendent and myself, and the
schools found to be in good condition"
Mr.. Conrad expresses thanks to State
Superintendent OF Schools 7. N. Williams
and Assistant Superintendent II. C. Car
| penter, for the uniform courtesy received
| by him at their hands.