Year: 1876

! EDS JEFF Wr seaut to manifest cur


appreciation o. yaur persistent effort to
! keep the >r!l i-r. "f -.;u.=stion before the
psople. And, although 0e are neither
/: ;,i. experienced nor y.ung teacher, yet
We will venture f.. thoughts upon the


al!-important topic We want to put it


a oar Judgment that Supt. Williamson,
in his address TO the late teachers meet


iug in your city. did the country more


than ordinary service by giving the


schools iu the rural districts so prominent


and conspicuous a notice. Up to a re-


cent date, this township has had nine


public schools, which is an average of
one TO each four sections, or two miles
square. For the maintenance of these
schools "e annually add to the State
Fund local levy of S120O 90 for tuition
exclusively We have long been con-
scious OF the fact that, from causes for
which there seemed to be no ,emedy,
We did not realize the maximum benefit
from the money thus paid. Inefficiency
on the part of teachers has been alleged
in 'ew cases. But it is quite obvious,
to those who have given the matter care
full thought, that one of the most serious
obstacles is the want of properly-gr |
text books.


It does seem that If any series of books |
extended to the twentieth number, each |
grade would find its way into our schools
There are too many classes in our small |
est schools for one teacher. however eff |
cient, to do justice to. Hence, we say
that Supt. Williamson's solution of this
question is the most practical that we
have as yet seen.


We are well aware that our houses and
fixtures are not what they should be, but
in our humble Judgment they are not so
far out of line as popular sentiment. We
know of a school house which was so con-
by the building committee that
the doors did not open directly to the
outer world" which has been fearfully
mutilated 10y some of the pupils. Such
a departure from the old rut was not TO
be submitted TO without demonstration
of hostility. We are very firm in the
belief that it is not the house, but popu-
lar opinion, that needs reconstructing in
in this ea-e. We are all well aware that
a large per cent. of the youth of our
State, not only begin but end their edu-
cation in these sub district schools. So
that We can scarcely estimate the force
which they exert in shaping the minds
of those who are to run this Government
during the next generation. Hence, We
hope that all teachers and pro-
them the prominence and thought which
the magnitude and responsibility of their
sphere requires, and thus help them up,
so far Us relative advantages will permit,
to the level OF the city schools.


There is no more powerful agency in
this work than the local press, and |
trust, Mr.. Editor, that you will continue
to keep the ball rolling.


Yours to command,


RURALIST.


We are obliged to the writer for his
excellent article, as well as for the com
plment lie pays us, and trust we shall
hear from him often. Our peoples col
ieges' are power in this good govern
Inent Of ours Oar excellent common
school system is still susceptible of great
and the friends thereof
are moving during the present session of
our General Assembly for such addition
al legislation as shall place our Buckeye
State i'll tie front rank as regards her
facilities for giving her humblest embryo
citizen that education and training which
shall be required to enable him or her
to grapple successfully with the practical
problems of every day life. EDS. JEFF.