The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1892-09-10

maj As Il Russell.
From the Florida Teacher, Dade City.
The Teacher takes great pleasure in
giving below . condensed view of the work
OF our retiring state superintendent from
the Office he has so worthily filled for the
passed nine year,.
When it is read, many who have looked
upon the Office as sinecure and en- easy
place with large monetary rewards, will
be astonished at the amount Of work done
! and the responsibility borne.
The Teacher feels il both duty and a
privilege TO thus recount the services of
20 faithful an officer and true servant of the
people.
Every teacher In fair Florida knows and
loves Major A. J. Russell, bis universal
sympathy and marked kindness and con-
sideration with which he has always met
them. and oftentimes he has encouraged
them when the path looked dark and
dreAry; he certainly has a high place in
their memories and affections.
The children all over the state wear the
smile of affection and trust for him, and
the great majority of the plain people
heartily endorse it all and are wondering
| why he was not continued in his excellent
| work.
In the last annual report made by his
predecessor, Hon. E K. Foster, in 1882.
| the humber of public schools reported was
1, 339. Major Russell, ia his report for
1800-92 makes the mum Der OF schools 2,348
nearly double those reported By his pre-
decessor. The whole amount of money
expended for public instruction, reported
by MIR. Foster was $133 800. Major Rus
cell reports the sum raised and expended
as 1854 ,303.65. The total school attendance
reported in 1882 was 1915 youth. In
1891 90 there ID reported 94,019 youth
The number of teachers employed in 1882
was 1928. The number employed in 1891
90 was: S,641. This phenomenal growth
and increase in the public schools, the
number OF teachers employed, the almost
double increase Of youth in attendance, aad
the unsurpassed increase of money raised
by the people is NOT all the work done by
our beloved retiring state superintendent
by any means. During the first year of
his work, 1884. he planned and had erected
the puildings for the Institute for the
Blind and Deaf Muies OF the state and or
ganized and equipped 1t and started it out
upon It's glorious mission to these afflicted
children of The state. he has
watched 1t with almost parental care ana
anxiety and has seen 1t grow and its num-.
bers increase 10 attendance. He hes seen
these terribly afflicted youths from almost
total mental and spiritual darkness, to be
able TO work intelligibly in figures, TO read.
and especially to read the wondrous story
OF the cross. TO write. and thus communi-s
cate with their parents, to be taught
typography, photography, carpentry aud
gardening. This to the boys. aud house
wifeFy, sewing, ornamental and useful 70
the girls. and to the great triumph Of his
heart has heard the hitherto dumb speak
and recEte prayers.
He was charged with the erection Of the
Agricultural and Mechanical College. and
| IL orgsnizetlon. aad laid the CONVERSIONS.
on the s7th day Of February, 1884. Tho
material erowthspf this now most flourish
| Inc instilution has been undo his hand and
fkeAft
Later In 1887, when the legislature yitali
rcd the article ip the copssit usion making
provision Or two normal schools, and pro.
yided for the establishment on state nor
MI pliegs fpr eaoh 81 thestaces. hes pro-
Iyidsd plans i6f one ior shits siudests ii
kDsEpnik epfsngs and also that for negro.
IstndeniA located q Taliahaasee. The.
lullding Wefe orecied ,fufnlshsd aud euulp.
! IN. apd taeulsi lofgsnlzed, and shsss wi.
abls inslitulieps startedoG % ,hsIr ass+
IS ssss ( rs
liqn %. ihis A, hsn, oreapi. I'D ard
pns nfo ppefasion ,lnty hirh sehools N
Il llsS sosniiI ! .il 81 = I;
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