The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-03-29

4
stance, and it is upon this consideration
that our common school system Is based.
But, sir. I would ask the gentlemen upon
the other side Of this question whether
they believe that regular attendance on
the part ofour children in our public
schools when they are properly conduct
ed, for the period Of six months each
year, from the time they are six until
they are twenty-one years Of age, is not
sufficient to qualify them for intelligent
citizenship? Is there to be found in the
Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania, boy
or girl who possesses ordinary natural
capacity who cannot, in fifteen years,
more than complete the curriculum laid
down for our pablie schools, by attend
ing welreonducted and properly taught
school, six months during each year?
10 not believe, sir, that such one
can be found. In my own county, where
the average length Of the term IS 6I3
months, we are fortunate enough TO have
8 superintendent Of public schools who is
a practical educator. At the beginning
of the school year that closed last June,
be laid down regular graded course Of
study to be pursued by the pupils Of all
the schools Of the county. The course
embraces all the branches authorized Sy
law to be taught in our public schools.
An examination was necessary al the be-
ginning Of the school term 70 determine
the grade that each pupil should enter,
and al the close Of the term an exSmina-
ton was held in each district by the su-
intendent himself in order to determine
how many Of those who, at the begin
ming Of the year were placed in the senior
class, were entitled to diplomas or certi-
iestes showing that they had completed
the course, and the result was that sixty
three were graduated the first year, of
whom the superintendent says in his re-
port Of one thousand eight hundred and
ninety-two, q number were ready to enter
the teachers ranks the present year. No
doubt all would have been ready to enter
the teachers ranks this year had they
been ofproper age, but quite a number
Of them we're not over sixteen or seven
teen years old. Ny own experience as a
teacher and as county superintendent
has proven 70 my entire satisfaction that
in every case where the attendance is
regular and the schools have attained
desirable degree OF efficiency the average
boy or girl found in our district schools
viii be able, with a six months term 10
master the branches authorized by law
to be taught in our public schools by the
time he OF she has reached the age of
seventeen years Some Of the men most
noted in the history Of our times gradua-
ted from some Of our best colleges, hav-
ing completed the entire collegiate course
including the sciences and classics, be-
fore reaching the age Of eighteen
Among such may name the late lament
ed James G.. Blaine, who was graduated
from Washington and Jefferson College
at the age Of seventeen. George Wash
ingtOn, who was educated in 4 common
school, is said to have acquired a good
English education at the sge Of sixteen,
at which time ne entered upon the act
i've duties Of life as & civil engineer. /
would not be understood as referring 10
these illustrious names as furnishing ex-
smples Of what the average American
youth Is capable Of doing. FOR know that
thess are extraordinary cases, but the his
tory Of our country Is replete with the ex-
ampies Of men who have been graduated
With distinction from the best institu-
tions Of learning in the land before reach
ing their majority. | cite these exam
pies to show that if this is possible with
our colleges, usually open for purposes Of
instruction about thi-ty-nine weeks each
year, il IS also possible with regular at
tendance upon good public school six
months each year for the average Amer
lean youth to acquire at least a good Eng
lish education, and when the Common
wealth has furnished to every child the
opportunity Of Obtaining such an educa-
ton it has provided for its own security
and mas discharged its duty, at least N
I'll such time as our school system is
made state system instead Of local
system as It now is. II, sir, you will 70
into the counties where the schools are
kept open six months in the year and
ming'e with the people in their homes
as have had the pleasure of doing,
venture to say you viii End them as IN
telligent and as able to discuss the meas
ures. and means necessary to he adopted
for the good Of the State and Nation As
you will find the people Of any other por-
ton Of the Commonwealth. Bat it IS
argued By the friends Of this measure
that the S.ate appropriation to public
schools has been largely increased and
that there ought, therefore, to result as
consequence, some improvement in our
public schools. beg the gentleman TO
remember that the Legislature that made
the increased appropriation stated in the
preamble to the revenue bill passed in
order 70 make the increased spprOpria-
ton possible that one object al least to be
obtained was the reduction Of local taxa
ton. OF the fifty members Of this branch
of the Legislature at the time the bill re-
ferred to was passed thirty-seven are
members Of this body nov, and appeal
to my fellow Senators who were here
then and who are here now TO say wheth-
er they wish to be understood By their
constituents to have been insincere IN
the declarations made in the preamble to
which Iallude. Had it not been for the
almost universal call that cane up from
every quarter Of the State for reduction
Of local taxes the revenue bill Of one
thousand eight hundred and ninety-One
would not have been passed aud the sp-
preparation to public schools would not
have been 50 largely increased.
And now, sir, maintain that to keep
faith With the people whom We represent
and who have sen. Us here, to serve them,
We are bound % recOgnizs the necessity
of such legislation as will make the ap-
plication Of the increase of appropriation
along the line indicated possible Bot
sir Is said that the taxes levied for school