Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-08-20
THE ooLoRED SCHOOLS.
Ninth Annual Report Of the Actu-
AIRY of the Delaware Association.

Henry @. Conrad, ESQ.,, Actuary of the
Delaware Association for the Education
of ColOred Children, which organization
has in charge the disbursement of the
State appropriation to colored schools
and the State tax for the same purpose
has issued his ninth annual report, in
schools "have not reached the full
measure, in point of numbers and eff
cheney, that is confidently expected and
desired, yet from year to year decided in
dications of progress and interest are
manifested" The report then says
THE total amount distributed to the
colored schools, during the last school
year, was $7,377.S5, as compared with
SS,176.2S for the year previous, showing
n decrease of $79S.43. This amount
came from three sources, viz, State APP
preparation, $5,137.92; school taxes,
81, lOl.43 and donations by the Della
ware Association, Sl3S.50. The amount
distributed from the State appropriation
was a little in excess of that of IL year
ago, but there was very decided falling
of of school taxes collected for the year
1883, over the preceding year, and to that
is due, largely, the decrease reported
The old balances remaining in the hands
of the association are now exhausted. A
law which would make the payment of
school taxes compulsory, and whereby n
poll tax could be collected from those not
owning property, would very materially
increase the amount, and in that way
many who now have the privileges of the
school without the payment of their pro-
portion of the taxes, would be forced to
bear their part of the expense. If some
measure could be devised for the collec.
ton of the school tax separately, without
joining it with the county tax, it would
doubtless result in increasing the amount
from that source, and thereby in improy-
ing the schools.
The total number of schools in the
State, outside of Wilmington, was GS, an
increase of 3 over the year previous. Of
these l was open months; was open 81
months; . were open 6 months 20 were
open months 33 were open months
were open 81 months; / was open 81
months and | was open 3 months. The
average length of the school term of the
State was A l0-17 months. For New
Castle and Kent counties, AZ months
and for Sussex. Al months. The highest
number enrolled during the year was
3,499, an increase of 80 over the wear
previous. Some points have shown de.
cided gains. New Castle, summit Bridge
and Middletown combined have made an
increase of 100. The Dover school con.
tinucs to lead the list in point of num-
bers. The Milford school, while not in.
creased in numbers, had prosperous
term, and much good work was accom-
llilghpl Tho GAufnpl Il.
increase of ~, and enjoyed IN unpre-
cedented term of harmony and growth.
The schools at Selbyville and Friendship,
IN sussex county, cover new points that
have never been assisted before.
he financial arrangements during the
year have moved smoothly; and without
exception, the county treasurers have
been prompt and accommodating. There
Is still due the association $176.09; being
the amount of colored school taxes col
leeted for the year 1880, for Milford hun
bred. The delay in payment is not the
fault OF the present county treasurer, but
seems TO rest upon the collector of taxes
for that year.
'During the winter visited 30 of the
schools, and in almost every instance l
found good order prevailing, the teachers
WIN bhclF WOrk well III nNnN, and the
pupils attentive to their studies, and
fairly prompt in recitatioLs In the
month of February the teachers held an
institute Mt Seaford, Mt which attended.
The programme as arranged by them was
interesting, and their participation in the
exercises was alike creditable and com
mendable."
The institute attracted much interest in
the community where il was held, and
was attended by large audiences, to many
of whom the exercises were novel, but on
all hands the institute was spoken of
with favor, and the influence of il was
salutary. -..-.
The following statistics are given New
Castle county, "a schools -four in viii
mington), 1872 pupils, amount paid.
S2,3Ss.73. Kent county, "a schools, ,l5G
pupils, amount paid, 50, GSG.S7. Sussex
connty, "a schools, l,OO9 pupils, amount
paid, $2,277.25. Reorganization for the
state; Totalnumber of schools, 70; pupils,
l'337 amount distributed, S7,377.S5.