The Osceola times., 1885-09-12
Communicated I
FRENcHMAN's Bayou, Sept. 4, 'S5

leuTOlltu, Dut tildt NlsslsSlppl COuH'
ty was not represented. Several
years ago, Institutes were held in
this county, but since that time the
different County Examiners do not
seem to have manifested much inter
est in educational matters, except as
to the talk that has been had about
the Osceola High School" My
impression is though may be mis-
taken-that the State Superintend.
ent is elected by the people to look
after the free schools throughout the
state and that the different County
Courts appoint County Examiners,
or Superintendents, to assist him in
his work by attending to all matters
pertaining to education in their sew
eral counties. The public school
system cannot prosper unless those
who are at the head of affairs take
some interest in the matter. | know
that the compensation is too small
to warrant the Examiner giving
much OF bis time to visiting the diff
ferent portions of the county; still,
it would require but few days 10
visit the different schools, and it
would be a pleasure, not only to the
teachers to have the Examiner visit
them socially as well as officially
There is no reason why Mississippi
county should not have a Teachers
Institute. Nothing but good can
result from it. So Mr.. Editor, call
a meeting of the teachers, and lets
organize one. There should be n
community of feeling as well as in
tercst among teachers. Mississippi
county is advancing in every thing
except edu,ationally. Judging from
the Examiners last report to the
State Superintendent, one would
suppose we were semi-heathens in
stead of enlightened and educated
people, the assertion of the late
principal of the Osceola High School
to the contrary Notwithstanding.
Let us hear from some other
teacher. Yours, &C.,
COUNTRY SCHOOL TEACHER.
While on this subject, and waiting
and listening to hear from the other
teachers, we, in our dual relation of
Co. Examiner and Editor, take pleas
ure in offering few thoughts as
they occurred to us while perusing
the above. The reasons why County
Institutes have not been held of late
years are many, and it would require
more space to demonstrate than we
have to spare; but the main reason
perhaps, can best he given by the
Teachers themselves. As the teach
er in District No, II is not present,
we will let our correspondent answer
for her: Suppose call was now out
for an Institute to be held, say Oct
lst., suppose also the school term Oh
session OF Dist. II expired Sept. 20
and as her services as teacher would
no longer be needed until next year
and she returns to her home in Ten.
nessee OF other state is 1t probable
tina, she would spend one out Of hel
three months salary to attend tn,
Institute? The answer to this prop,
osition will apply to the majority o.
the teachers employed i'll our public
schools, and tor reasons which will
suggest themselves as we proceed
This, however, is no reason why Q
Teachers Institute should not be
orgaEized. TIE failure in the past
on the part Of teachers, not attend
ing, is no evidence they would not
attend in future. Experience il
dealing with school matters leads US
to the belief that the Directors, as &
body, are more to blame for lack o
interest aud united SCHOOL work thar
all other causes combined. Nine ou
of every ten elected as Director
like our correspondent, about once !
year, get the impression, but are no
positive about it, that they have
some sort of duty to perform; an'
instead Of posting themselves up b,
reading the school law-copl, o
which are furnished them, AS wei
as all necessary blanks, make out
, very imperfect Enumeration Repor
on the fly leaf Of some old cotton re
ceipt book, or other scrap of paper
neglecting to make their annual, o
financial report; or, ifperchance. th'
annual report is made, the enumera
tion report is sure to be neglected
sometimes the signature of only on
/, Director is attached, and seldoml,
ever properly certified to as required
. bv law, and hatter themselves the,
have discharged their whole duty
Again, one District will commenc,
;ts school session i'm January. anoth