CONSTITUTION.

ART. 1. This Association shall be called the Ohio State Teachers' Association.

ART. 2. The officers of this Association shall be a President, twenty-one Vice Presidents, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, and an Executive Committee, to consist of seven persons.

ART. 3. It shall be the duty of the Chairman to preside at all meetings of the Association. In case of vacancy, or his absence, it shall be the duty of any one of the Vice Presidents to perform the same duty.

ART. 4. It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary to perform the usual duties devolving upon such officer.

ART. 5. It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to correspond with associations of a similar character, to correspond with individuals, under the direction of the Executive Committee. He shall further keep a full copy of communications from and to him, in a book provided for that purpose; keep such correspondence on file, and report his correspondence when called upon to do so at any regular meeting of the Association.

ART. 6. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and keep all funds belonging to the Association, and pay out the same only on orders from the chairman of the Executive Committee. He shall keep a faithful account of all moneys received and expended, in a book to be provided for that purpose, and report the condition of the finances when called upon to do so at any regular meeting.

ART. 7. The Executive Committee shall carry into effect all orders and resolutions of the Association, and shall devise and put into operation such other measures, not inconsistent with the object of this Association, as it shall deem best. It shall fix the time and place for holding all regular meetings of the Association, and shall appoint at least an annual meeting each year, secure speakers, and arrange business to come before the Association. It shall keep a full record of its proceedings, and present an annual report of the same to the Association.

ART. 8. The Executive Committee shall hold its first meeting as soon after election as practicable. Four members of said committee shall constitute a quorum for business, and afterwards may meet on its own adjournment or appointment.

ART. 9. All funds raised for the Association shall be by voluntary contribution, and shall be expended under the direction of the Executive Committee, through its chairman.

ART. 10. Any teacher or active friend of education, male or female, may become a member of this Association, by subscribing to this Constitution, each male member paying the Treasurer the sum of one dollar.

ART. 11. Delegates appointed to attend the meetings of this Association, by County Associations, whose object is in unison with ours, shall be considered as honorary members.

ART. 12. The officers of this Association shall be chosen by bal

lot at the annual meetings of this Association, and shall hold their offices for one year, or until their successors are elected.

ART. 13. This Constitution may be altered or amended by a majority of the members present at any regular meeting, where notice of such intended alteration shall have been given at the preceding regular meeting.

The Constitution having been circulated for signatures, the Association proceeded to elect officers by ballot. The following gentlemen were elected for the ensuing year:

President,

SAMUEL GALLOWAY, of Franklin.

Vice Presidents,

P. DAWLEY, of Stark.
A. A. SMITH, of Ashtabula.
A. FREESE, of Cuyahoga.
R. R. SLOANE, of Knox.
E. E. BARNEY, of Montgomery.
L. TENNEY, of Washington.
J. B. HOWARD, of Muskingum.
A. D. LORD, of Franklin.
J. R. DOIG, of Wayne.

P. S. SYMMES, of Hamilton.

C. C. GILES, of Warren.
MR. WILLIAMS, of Clark.
MR. BLAKESLEE, of Williams.
B. ROUSE, of Lucas.
J. HALL, of Huron.
H. G. BLAKE, of Medina.
A. GILBERT, of Columbiana.
MR. BENNET, of Miami.
WM. FINLEY, of Ross.

E. S. STANTON, of Jefferson.

Recording Secretary-T. W. HARVEY, of Geauga.
Corresponding Secretary-M. D. LEGGETT, of Summit.
Treasurer- WILLIAM BOWEN, of Stark.

Executive Committee.

M. F. COWDERY, of Lake.

L. ANDREWS, of Ashland.
M. D. LEGGETT, of Summit.
J. NICHOLS, of Lake.

J. HURTY, of Richland.
F. W. TAPPAN, of Portage.
H. K. SMITH, of Summit.

Resolved, That the Recording Secretary be requested to keep a record of the names of all the Teachers in the State, that expect to continue in the business of teaching for three years and upwardsand that all such Teachers are requested to forward their names to the Secretary for that purpose.

Resolved, That all Teachers in Ohio, qualified to take charge of Union Schools, and who wish employment, be requested to furnish their names, with such references as they may have, to the Corresponding Secretary-and that all School Committees wishing to employ such Teachers be requested to make their wishes known to the same officer.

Resolved, That we petition the Legislature so to amend the School laws of Ohio as to require each school district to raise annually, from

the taxable property in said district, an amount equal to the amount received from the State funds, for the payment of competent teachers.

Resolved, That the next regular meeting be held at Dayton, Montgomery county, at such a time in June next, as the Executive Committee may hereafter determine.

The committee appointed to prepare an address, expressive of the views of the convention, submit the following;

To Teachers and Friends of Education in Ohio.

We address you with the conviction that the office of Teacher, is second, in importance, to none in community. Its duties and its influences may be imperfectly appreciated, its highest excellence may not often be witnessed, still, its nature and its relations remain the same. The most sacred interests of individuals are confided to its keeping, the most momentous elements of society are intrusted to its guardianship. Does any patriot or philanthropist desire to know to what moral independence the next generation of men may arise, or what intelligence shall guide the highest interests of the State, when he shall have passed from the scene of duty and action? Does any father desire to know what influences may surround his children when he shall be sleeping in the dust?

Let such study the character and principles of the present Teachers of the land. These are the true representative men of the next generation. The qualities of mind and heart, now so little regarded in them, are to be transferred into those under their care, and soon to be reproduced in the men and women who may succeed them. Their characters are to be wrought into the children of the State. Their influences are to penetrate the inmost being of every child, their teachings to determine, in a great measure, his destiny.

As teachers, therefore, we feel that our profession is worthy of our highest regards that it is entitled to our best sympathies and energies. We would not undervalue other professions and pursuits. We honor all who labor in any useful calling, and do their duty well. But, from all others, we turn to the noble profession of teaching with a pure satisfaction and a deep and abiding reverence.Here, inspiriting anticipations stimulate us to exertion. Here, the fair pages of science and philosophy open, most invitingly before us. At variance with no party or sect, or cast, or creed, we may here cherish and inculate the sublimest truths of morality and religion. Aloof from the the theatre of partizan warfare, we may nourish those virtues and principles by which honored names have made our country illustrious.

We look, then, with earnest solicitude upon the present condition of our profession and upon all means tending to its elevation.—

There are questions which teachers themselves must consider and decide. To be eminently useful, they must understand their true position; they must be conscious of the far-reaching influence of their labors, and be able to convince others that they are identified with the substantial interests of mankind.

Further, they must, by their disinterestedness, faithfulness, and devotion, take the question out of the hands of all men, what rank their profession shall hold in society. How shall these objects be accomplished? At the present time we look to teachers' associations for important aid. These may do much for self improvement, and for professional success. New resolutions are formed, new energies are awakened, and new confidence felt in the importance of our labors, by meeting with those engaged in similar pursuits.

Especially are they useful in discussing all measures connected with the interests of schools, and in carrying on educational reforms. It must be obvious that there are important principles and measures connected with the Teachers' profession, and the cause of education, to be discussed. Even where most attention has been given to those subjects, much is unsettled, much remains to be considered. These can best be considered by an association of intelligent, practical teachers. Such associations at present exist in many counties of the State, and their utility is generally felt. But an association which would. extend its operations and influence over the State, it is believed would be still more useful. By concentrating the efforts and influence of the teachers of the State, we might hope to see only the best measures adopted, and those, vigorously prosecuted and sustained. Especially is such an organization needed at the present crisis. We believe an educational reform has been fairly commenced in our state, and if teachers and friends of education are vigilant, five years need not elapse, before the character of the common schools in Ohio shall be essentially changed for the better.

With the view, therefore, of promoting both the interests of the teachers' profession, and the cause of common schools, a STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION has been organized, and is about to commence operations. And that such an association will meet the approval of teachers in all parts of the state, and that they will unite their efforts with ours in sustaining it, is our most earnest wish. That it may accomplish the high objects for which it is formed, we most sincerely hope. That it will have a salutary and speedy influence upon the teachers and schools of the state, we cannot permit ourselves to doubt. We are conscious that great labor is before us. To awaken, or change public sentiment, in a great degree, is no easy task. Yet this is labor which teachers must perform. To prepare the public mind for wise and liberal provisions for the improvement of schools, is one of the first duties to be undertaken. It is a judicious and well settled maxim with legislators, that it is unwise and unsafe to enact laws, however salutary, in advance of public opinion. A disastrous reaction is almost the certain consequence. However enlightened their own judgments may be on subjects of the first importance, the best statesman do not feel authorized to adopt measures

which are not demanded, or will not probably be sanctioned by the people.

The safest and most enlightened policy then, for those who wish well for their cause is, to create a demand for such legislative provisions as may be most needed. With respect to schools, this labor is appropriately ours to perform. Great it may be, very great; still it is a happy and gratifying one, and if faithfully accomplished, must produce the most important and lasting results.

We propose, therefore, as speedily as possible, to examine and discuss, respectfully and courteously, yet vigilantly and independently, all measures and principles of interest to teachers and schools, aside from local considerations or private interests. To sustain and defend what is excellent in our school system or schools, will be cur highest pleasure. To prepare the way for introducing improvements where they are needed, will be our next duty. This it seems to us is the safest method of conducting our reform, and the one most likely to save all wise legislation from opposition or subversion by prejudice, and from the influence of political partizanship.

In conclusion we earnestly invite all teachers and friends of Education in Ohio to co-operate with us in this movement. By our faithful and well directed efforts and labors, and by our united influence and counsels, we promise ourselves the high satisfaction of soon beholding our beloved State taking as high a rank in all the means for promoting virtue and true nobleness, as she now holds in all other elements of greatness and prosperity.

M. F. COWDERY,
L. ANDREWS,
M. D. LEGGETT.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Early in January 1848, the executive committee assigned some thirty different subjects to as many committees, with a request that written reports should be presented at the future meetings of the Association. A large number have since complied with that request and their reports are on file.

During the same month conditional arrangements were made for holding Teachers' Institutes in some forty counties in the eastern and south-eastern part of the State: some account of these Institutes will be found in the first Annual Report of the Executive committee.