The Somerset reporter., 1903-01-08
EDUCATION.

reports that there were 213.525 persons Of
school age In the state on April LIST, 1892,
GGG4i teachers were employed. or whom
There were 224 free high schools with ID
2S3 pupils enrolled.
1t Is gratifying to know that the parents
Of children who are in the schools. and cit
liens generally, are taking a greater inter
est In school work, and that much Is con.
stsntly being done in the Improvement OF
school grounds and buildings and to make
the schools In every possible way more at
trsctiEe and efficient.
The state school fund and mill tax thu
past year amounted to 1862 4s1. The school
FUND raised by the towns was 1898, so7, and
the amount derived from various local re
sources S3so42, making the total amount
available for the support OF the common
schools S1,439, 80.
l recommend that the state school funds
be apportloned on the basis Of average at
tendance. instead Of ON the basis Of the
tv-one years Of age. in the different towns
and cities. 1t Is only right that the state
the wisest use Of them. and in a way that
will accomplish the largest possible measure
of practical good. For this reason the al
lntment should be based not upon the
number of persons OF school age. but rather
upon the number actually attending our
public schools and receiving instruction
therein.
| believe that such change In the law
would work to the benefit OF our common
schools, and trust this matter will re.
celye your early and careful consideration.
Our academies. semlnaries, and institutes
have the largest attendance In their history.
The children in the rnral and village com
mnn'ties at the present time show a more
ardent desire for a higher education than
was cyinced by the boys and girls In the
days when many OF these institutions were
founded and when the men whose suhse
Quent distinguished careers did so much to
give prestige 10 their stnte were laying the
foundation Of future greatness.
The normal schools have increased thair
standards Of admission. and as a result The
students are better trained These schools
are in most satisfactory condition in every
way. and making constant progress and
Improvement.
The summer training schools are attended
by large proportion of our teachers, from
which they derive many advantages The
teachers Institutes which have been large.
ly attended, have afforded parents. teach
erS students and school officials an oppor-
tullty 10 discuss the various questions re-
lating to the work of the schools, and have
been OF inestimable value.
nder the provisions OF the will OF the
late Cecil Rhodes, two students from this
state may have the advantage Of scholar.
slips at oxford University. England, and
receive 81 800 each year during a residence
there Of three years.
small appropriation may be necessary
to enable the state to take advantage Of
the opportunity thus offered.
The general law providing for aid to
academies, enacted by the legislature of
1901 appears to have fulfilled the expecta-
lions of its advocates and has apparently
proved an effective remedy for the evils
previously existing. while at the same time
giving aid to many worthy and deserving
INSTITUTIONS which are doing splendid work
In the various towns in which they are sit
uated.