that of the teacher. Every one now feels, though all do not yet acknowledge it, that the Common School has saved the Union ;-for, if Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois had been as ignorant in 1861, as they were 30 years ago when the rebellion which has just been suppressed was concocted,those States would have thrown themselves into the rebel scale and settled the question against the Union. It is the Common School, just about that time established in those States, that has been the antidote to this great threatened calamity, and that has saved the country. Why then constantly talk about loyalty and services to the Union, when both are unquestionable? symptom. But, in our opinion, it is a symptom requiring some more active remedy than the slow and very doubtful one of Time, which is the only one proposed. Let it be borne in mind, that, while Time is a physician that sometimes cures, his failures are irremediable. We miss, too, from the body of the report, those Special Statistics heretofore periodically presented in the report itself, which are so interesting and suggestive, and which would be much more read if their general results at least were there given, than as they now are set forth in one of the tables at the latter part of the book. And this change is the more to be regretted, because, on referring to that table, we find some results which are really gratifying. One is, that during the last year of its so called "compul For our part we say for and of the school system, that its right to favor, and its demand for favor based on that right, are more pressing, more impera-sory" operation, the District Institute was any tive and more righteous than those of any other interest which claims the attention and liberality of the representatives of the people. We rank it at the very top of the list of all those subjects to which the attention of the Legislature is besought. And we attribute much of that mistaken policy, which leads so many to regard the common school as the interest which is to be starved that all others may be supplied, to that lack of assured and continued demand for full justice and liberal support, which has been indulged in by its officers and trusted agents. But if we must parade our loyalty and our services, why not make them the basis for those concessions and improvements in favor of the future, to which the past merits of the common school show it to be so indisputably entitled? There is no hope in the opposite policy; nor is there much even in that which admits and points out an evil, or a want, with out assuming the responsibility of indicating a remedy. Want of space to perform this duty cannot be the excuse of the officer whose report is before us; for we perceive that this annual document has doubled its size in six years. thing but a failure, there having been 6002 meetings attended (we presume the whole term) by 5457 teachers, and 311 of those participated in by County Superintendents. The same table tells us that 2755 Teachers attended the County Institutes held during the year. We find also that though only 2 Libraries are reported as having been organized under the Library act of 1864, yet that there are 17,053 volumes reported as in the school libraries of the State, which must be far below the actual number. Farther on, the reader will find large extracts and useful statistics from the Annual Report of the Controllers of the public schools of Philadelphia. To all this, as relating to that city, great credit is justly given; but we cannot join in the State Superintendent's opinion, that the "remarks and conclusions are as applicable to the rural districts and smaller cities and towns of the State, as they are to the city of Philadelphia, and that it will be a fortunate day for the schools of the Commonwealth when these suggestions are put into practice throughout the State," we say we cannot join in this general indorsement, if it include this hope, expressBut, abandoning these general remarks and look-ed by the Philadelphia Controllers," that we may ing into the details of the Report itself, we, in the first before long find only females employed as teachers place, miss that Triennial Contrast of the results of, in public schools in the State at large, except, perthe system, which would be so indicative of pre- heps, in large Grammar Schools for boys, in which gress or the want of it. Without now stopping to the services of male Principals seem to be imperacompare the figures with those of former reports, the tively demanded." These Italics are our own; but presumption is that the comparison would not be, whether in Roman, Italic onCapital-whether emanfavorable, for good news never lacks its herald. ating from a City Board, a State Superintendent, or But, good or bad, we should have it; for, compara-"frem all the County Superintendents," we most tive statistics form the best guide, and the Legis-, distinctly protest against the doctrine. We have lature should not be asked, either to act or not to always desired and latterly been greatly rejoiced at act, without the fullest light from this source. the large increase in the proportion of female teachIn the absence, however, of this larger and moreers in the State; and we would be more a), were desirable view, we find, even in the contrast between the last school year and the preceding, enough to alarm; the balance against progress, indicated by the word "decrease," occurring more frequently than ever before. No one denics that this is a bad there a closer approximation to or rather an equalizaation of salary between the sexes,-on the ground that like services are entitled to like compensation. But we have never seen anything like suficic 't reason for committing the entire training of the youth of the land, at any period of their existence, to the one sex or the other. God gave to each child a father and a mother; and the teacher stands, not in loco matris or in loco patris, but in loco parentis, or rather, as it should be, in loco parentum,-in the place of both; and the child has a right to contact with, training by, and the example of both, in the school as well as the home. difficulties in its way and of the hardships suffered by its enforcement. Truly the change was not expressly recommended; yet there are sins of omission as well as of commission. There are modes of letting a thing die for want of proper support at the right time and from the right quarter, as certain as that of destroying them with one's own hand. Jefferson Davis is as guilty of the death of our brethern in his prison pens, by omitting to give them proper food and clothing, as if he had caused each of them to be shot or hung. The District In Our people are rapidly coming to right conclusions on this point. They employ both, according to circumstances; and the grading of the schools, so slowly but surely advancing, will give male Princi-stitute has been done to death by want of official pals with female Assistants not only to boys grammar, aye also and girls' grammar schools in many cases, but also to those primary schools and intermediate schools in which several teachers shall be employed. Let us not rush too fast, or occupy doubtful ground, even when we think we have popoular opinion in our favor. Rather let us seek to lead that opinion in none but the right directions, and even then to no greater extent than shall be safe as well as expedient. Under the head of Attendance of Pupils, we find not only a sad admission, but what appears to us to be a mistake. The admission is, that the average attendance of pupils in the schools is diminishing instead of increasing. This is truly discouraging. The mistake consists in calling this a "cause" instead of an effect, of failure somewhere in the schools. In our opinion it is partly owing to the lowering of the standard in the qualifications of teachers, which has been officially tolerated under the alleged pressure of the war, and the want of that high tone in the County Superintendency, to meet the advanced demands of the people upon the schools and the system. The schools, through their teachers, not having kept up with the wants of the people, their instruction is therefore undervalued, and the slightest excuse for absence secures the consent of parents. Be this as it may, most certainly it is a sorry spectacle for the head of the system to come before the Legislature, with the statement of this failure in a vital point and a long enumeration of the resulting evils, and yet not only propose no remedy, but helplessly invoke the members to devise some mode of relief. No part of this inconclusive document has been read with more pain than this. Passing rapidly along, the reader who knows the history of the transaction will be struck with the remarkable assertion, under the head of District Institutes, that the virtual repeal of the law requiring them to be held was "not recommended by the Department." Now, all know that, during the whole of the current term of the State Superintendency, while there was a studied avoidance of express recommendation to repeal this law, there was also a careful and oft repeated statement of the support; and there's an end of the matter. Had Superintendents Black, or Curtin, or Hickok, thus dealt by the County Superintendency, it would have been abolished even in the day of its full usefulness. In fact such treatment at the hands of the school Department would have destroyed every one of the valuable features of the school system, and would have even obliterated the system itself from the statute book. No new and useful thing can stand without an active and aggressive loyalty on the part of its friends, at the outset. Passiveness and fault-finding are sure to end in the defeat which they invite. Coming to the County Superintendency,-here we did hope for something more vigorous than the old complaint as to the inequality of compensation. Does not the office itself require reorganization? is also a question which demands, and we hope will receive, an answer. The remarks on the apportionment of the State Appropriation amongst the Districts, so far as they bear against the present mode, are good. But we would prefer the distribution to be made on the basis of the average of attendance and not of the whole number of enrolled pupils, in each district.It is true that it would be somewhat difficult to devise a mode of securing correct and prompt returns of the averages, but it could be done; and this principle of distribution would have the additional advantage of increasing the general average of attendance over the State. We are much disappointed in not finding, under this head, those urgent appeals and strong reasons that might and we think ought to have been advanced, for a very large addition to the State appropriation. Instead of this, an addition of $5.814 is the extent to which the public liberality is ventured to be invoked beyond the appropriation of last year; and this, too, out of an overflowing treasury. The remarks in relation to the Normal Schools, though correct as regards their value to the system and the State and their claim to additional assistance, are imbued with a spirit that has surprised us. Their whole drift is to insinuate, that others than those pursuing their professional studies in these schools as teachers have been or may be admitted, and that thereby teacher students have been, or may be excluded from the benefits of these professional usual, but it is very properly stated to be a subject institutions. And, based on this vague intimation, of regret, that the statistics of these institutions it is recommended that the Legislature shall here- still remain meagre and imperfect. after limit the advantages of any donations that may be made, exclusively to the class of teacherstudents. Now, the truth is, there can have been no injury of this kind, in the past, without neglect on the part of the State Superintendency; and there can be no abuse in the future without its permission. The provision of the Normal School law on this point is very plain. Here it is: It appears also, that something over one-third of the County Superintendents wrote compositions on topics assigned by the Department, which are given in an appendix. Whether all complied, and these have been selected as the best, we are not informed; but the intelligent reader will decide for himself the question, whether this novelty is sufficient to make up for those original suggestions and that progressive spirit, which he will fail to discover in the report of the chief officer of the corps. "PRIVATE STUDENTS: Students, other than those admitted on district account, to pay such sum for tuition as the trustees shall determine; but in the admission of such students, the preference always to On looking back over these remarks, we find it be given to such as are designed for the profession asserted at the outset, that an educational Crisis exof teaching; and, as between private and publicists, but that we have been assuming this as granted. students, a like preference to be given to the latter, To remove all doubts on this point, it may be in case of insufficiency of room to accommodate all who apply; and no difference in the charge of board- stated: 1. That the want of progress in the sysing and lodging to be made in favor of any class of tem, as shown by this Report, very plainly points students." Page 157 of the School Law and Decision. out an era when something more must be done, Now it seems to us, that, in case of additional ap- which state of affairs is but the practical definition propriations to these schools,-which we sincerely of a crisis; 2. That even the proverbial unwillinghope may be made, there is no need for any addi-ness of the Legislature to interfere with the system, tional provision to exclude general students, or to favor teacher-students, unless it be that the State will defray the cost of instruction, at least, in favor of teacher-students; and that this might be done with great good effect upon the system and as but an act of justice, in favor of such disabled soldiers as possess the requisite qualification for the studies of the profession. But surely the Legislature will never cripple these schools by excluding all general students, before a sufficient number of the professional class shall apply to fill them. When that time arrives, the State Superintendent has only to enforce the law as it is, in order to prevent the abuse he seems to dread. The "Accompanying Documents" of the report are of the usual description,-consisting chiefly of extroots from the annual reports of the County Superintendents and of the county and general statistical Tables. In reference to the tables of statistics we rejoice to learn, that the averages have been calculated upon "a different basis than formerly," which we presume means latterly; for, the last tables of the preceding three years term were correctly calculated. The table of Special Statistics, alluded to before, is good, and will be very interesting to all who refer to it. The addition to it of the statistics of Private Schools is a new feature, though yet necessarily imperfect. If continued from year to year, and made to cover the whole of this interesting portion of the educational field, it cannot but prove very valuable. A great deal of valuable information is well condensed and methodised into the form of a general table, relative to the State Normal Schools. The tables relating to Colleges, Academies, Semi. naries and High Common Schools are given, as in the way of general change, is overcome, and that well," several propositions involving radical changes in disregard of the cry from the battlements of " all are already on the files or announced, and all eminating from the members themselves. 3. If to these be added the additional fact, that the present tion of County Superintendents, naturally suggests Session, just preceding, as it does, the triennial electhoughts of change, it is believed that the assertion of the existence of a crisis is sustained. shall produce, or ought to produce, it is not for us, What this critical era in our educational history shall produce, or ought to produce, it is not for us, here, to say. Having pointed out its existence and the failure in the proper quarter to meet it, we have, for the present, performed an unpleasant duty, but one which could not have been avoided without breach of duty to the readers of this Journal and forfeiture of self-respect. EDUCATIONAL EVENTS IN PENNSYLVANIA. CLINTON: The County Institnte met at Salona, Decem ber 26th and continued three days. Platform instructions in the various Common School branches, Lectures and Discussions formed the business of the meeting. J. F. Else, D. W. Calderwood, S. E. Faust, Miss M. E. Hamlin, Rev. J. B. Mann, J. B. Bitner, D. H. Hastings, Miss Thompson, Miss Achenbach, B. S. Heller, A. H. Strayer, M.R. Herr, with County Superintendents Holahan of Centre and Herr of Clinton, took part in the various proceedings. result satisfactory, as witness the following resolution: The attendance seems to have been respectable and the Resolved, That we never had more earnest convictions from personal experience and observation during the present session, and we hold as justly liable to censure all of the utility of Teachers' Institutes than we have received teachers who through a spirit of indifference have absented themselves from their deliberations. Our old friend Henry L. Dieffenbach has retired from the Editor's chair of the Clinton Democrat. We wish him the fruition of all his hopes in retirement. Few men in the State have been better friends of the school than he, and none have we ever met whose judgment in school matters was sounder or more reliable. discussed. Lectures were delivered by County Superint dent Zimmerman and H. M. Crider. Essays were read by W. Smith, H. M. Crider and Misses S. E. Beaty, T. Kau f man, Lizzie Seiber, Fanny Greenleaf and Kate Kauffman, all on important subjects, with Select Reading by A. P. Flint and J. R. Wirt. An important item of the proceedings, was the adoption of the report of the committee on an Appeal to the Clergymen and Directors of the county, in reference to the education of the rising generation. In the presence of a large concourse of people on Thursday evenProfessional Certificates were granted to Mr. Levi Bossler and Misses Lizzie Seiber, Kate Kauffman and by Co. Supt. Zimmerman ERI: Educational matters are progressing, and the educational interest is increasing. We have been holding special town Institutes in different parts of the county, hich have been generally successful. Our County As sociation, held at Harborcreek, was well attended. The Spelling Match" was well contested, and at the end the following premiums were awarded, 1st. Webster's Dictionary, Miss Mary Landon of Erie: 2d. American Cyclopedia, Miss S. W. Clark of Belle Valley; 3d. History of 83rding, Regt. P. V., Miss Lizzie Hunter of Erie. Amongst the resolutions was the following: Resolved, That it is the bounded duty of every teacher to attend the meetings of the County Association, as they are enabled, by so doing, to gain by interchange of thought and sentiment many new ideas or methods of teaching, and to go from thence with a renewed determination to more fully discharge the duties devolving upon him. I has been quite difficult to all the schools with teachers, the small remuneration offered at the time for opening the schools, and the decision that all not holding valid certificates should come to public examination, has caused many to leave the position of teachers. I think this will result in benefit to our schools rather than an injury. GREENFIELD, January 10th, 1866. A few young men of this and the adjoining town of nango, have formed themselves into an association for the purpose of establishing libraries in the different school districts, choosing the books from Harper's Select Library. In the few days spent in the cause, they have met with sach flattering success that they are making arrangements to meet with each school district in the county and give them the chance to become members of this organization. A MEMBER. 1 MIFFLIN Jan. 24, a four days County Institute commenced at McVeytown. About 70 Teachers, with quite considerable number of citizens, attended The exercisen, consisting of class drills, discussions and lectures, were interesting and instructive. Profs. Wickersham, of Lancaster, Parker, of Philadelphia, Manson, S. Z. Sharp & Hertsler, delivered lectures. NORTHAMPTON: One hundred and ten of the Teachers of this county, met in convention at Easton, December 26th and continued in session three days. Dr. Cattell, President of Lafayette College, welcomed the members on the part of the citizens. The subjects discussed, in which the Teachers from dif Vferent parts of the county actively participated, were the following, viz: Orthography, Reading, Writing, Geography, Physical Geography, Written Arithmetic, English Grammar, School Government and the cause, cure and effects of Truancy. School to educate young persons and prepare them for the The matter of establishing a State Normal School (a profession of teaching,) in the district of which Northamp A spirited District Institate of the Teachers of Waterford ton forms a part, was discussed, in reference to which Mr. and Le Beuf districts, was held at Waterford, January 8th, Cottingham, Superintendent of the Easton Schools made and vigorous measures were adopted for its continuance. an eloquent speech. setting forth the importance of estab GRI: The County Institute was in session, at Car-lishing such an Institution in this District. Mr. Transue, michael's, December 22dnd and 23d. The attendance was of South Easton, also gave his views upon the subject, fully mall, but the proceedings interesting. Much select read- concurring in the opinion expressed by Mr. Cottingham ing was given by the members, and several addresses were delivered. Some class drills and the discussion of queries varied the proceedings. County Superintendent Teal actively participated. ers. An Institute of two days, (Jan. 12 & 13) was also held In Jacksonville, with good attendance of Teachers and othClass drills, Essays and discussions, constituted the main portion of the exercises. The Duties of Directors, the School Law, and the best plan for school houses, received, as they should, the attention of the body. Another two days Institute was held in Aleppo Dt., Jan. 19 & 20. Directors, citizens and teachers attended in eonsiderable numbers, and all manifested much interest in the proceedings. Drills and discussions profitably filled the time. The following are some of the Queries presented for disson? Should the Scriptures be read in our common schools? Should public examinations be held at the close of our common schools? Should the practice of treating in our common schools be continued? Should the rod be used as a punishment in our schools? At what age should scholars commence to write? Are the pupils benefitted by vocal and instrumental music in common schools? Greene seems, at last, to be arousing to a due sense of the great importance of the common school. INDIANA: On Friday, January 12th, the Union School of the borough of Indiana, of which Mr. Amos Row is Principal, closed a term of eight months. A friend has sent us this note on the subject:Our public schools closed an eight months' term on the 13th of January. It may safely be said that it was quite as successful as any previous term. The number of pupils admitted during the term was about 390, and the average per centage of attendance for the same 78;-the number of male and female pupils being nearly equal. The branches of studies in the lower rooms were more limited than formerly, with good results. The glosing exercises, although wholly impromptu, were quite interesting and impressive, consisting of singing by the pu pils, an essay by Miss Annie McElwain; a German declamation by Albert Kimmel; a valedictory by James H. Hood; and remarks by the principal. JUNIATA: The regular annual meeting of the County Association, was held at Thompsontown, December 28th and the two following days. Several interesting questions on school room and educational subjects were very fully Easton. Essays relating to the subject of Education were read by the following gentlemen, viz: Messrs. Mo. Wallace and Rasely, of upper Mount Bethel, Mr. J. W. Hutchison, of Lower Mount Bethel, C. A. Heller. of Palmer, and Messrs. McIlhanny, Marston, Merrill, Millard, and Weaver of Interesting and instructive lectures were delivered on the subject of Penmanship, by Prof. Potter, of Philadelphia and Thomas D. King, of Hellertown, this county. Mr. King, though but a young man of limited experience, has given proof of superior skill in this imA. C. Apgar, of Philadelphia, portant and beautiful art. added very much to the interests of the Convention by his lectures on Map Drawing and Written Arithmetic. Dr. Traill Green delivered an able lecture on Physical, and Rev. Dr. Edgar one on Moral Education. Deputy Superintendent Bates also delivered two Lectures, one on School Architecture and one on Reading. Rev. Dr. Vanderveer, the veteran educator of Northampton, also addressed the convention as to the proper mode of educating, which ho believes to be as clearly made known to us in the New Testament Scriptures as the way of Salvation itself. In substance he said: "It was testified of the Savior that at the age of 12 he was found among the Doctors hearing them and asking them questions, and in this same connection we read that he increased in wisdom and knowledge. From this I infer that the mode in which he acquired knowledge must be emphatically the mode-the only right mode. The questions and answers as appended to text-books de not fully meet the Doctor's views, inasmuch as they are both too generally made the memoriter work of scholars. "He would call into vigorous exercise the nobler faculties of judgment and reason, by questions drawn directly from the facts presented, by which the pupils themselves would form the rules of operation, in most cases with as much certainty and correctness as the very authors of the books." Several School Directors from the county honored the convention and themselves by their attendance; and the Directors of Easton kindly asssumed the payment of the expenses incurred by their teachers in securing a suitable place in which to hold the sessions of the Convention, for light and fuel and the services of sexton. On the whole, County Superintendent Kind has just reason to be proud of this meeting, to the success of which he so materially contributed and over whose proceedings he presided. 176 UNION: The County Institute was held in Lewisburg, during the 27th 28th and 29th ult. Forty Teachers were in attendance, with quite a number of friends of education. Several important school questions were discussed and a number of able lectures and addresses delivered. Doctor Loomis, President of the University of Lewisburg, delivered one, which is highly spoken of, on "The effect of crises in Instructive class-drills also the formation of character." formed a portion of the proceedings. Resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the members in reference to the death of Ex-County Superintendent Heckendorn adopted. Mr. James Aiken took an active part in the At the exercises, which were enlivened by his efforts. conclusion County Superintendent Gundy called forward a class composed of Miss Mary Gibbony, Miss Kate Miller, Miss R. A. Ellis, Miss M. E. V. Pardoe, Miss Mattie Ranck, Miss Kate J. Eckbert and Messrs. Charles McFall, W. Richart and J. L. Barber. After addressing to them a few appropriate remarks, in regard te their duties as teachers and urging them to be faithful to their trust, he gave to each one a Professional Certificate. were WESTMORELAND: The County Institute met in GreensA resolution that the teachers are burg, December 26th. 64 in a great measure responsible for any want of regularity The following were among the resolutions adopted: Resolved, That while education finds its origin in Christianity, the success of the Church is largely dependent upon the success of the schools ;-that owing to this intimate relation, it is the duty of the ministry not only to countenance the common schools, but to visit them and to aid them by cordial intercourse with the teachers and pupils, and that it is the duty of the teachers to seek and encourage such intercourse. Resolved, That the District Institute properly conducted, is a potent agency in the advancement of popular educa tion; and that we regard the plan of abandoning it, adopt ed in many districts, as a movement lamentably retrogressive. Resolved, That our Representatives be requested to use their influence for the re-passage of the law establishing District Institutes; if not for the State, for Westmoreland county. ident of the Convention. The County Institute may now Resolved, That this Institute urge upon teachers and Resolved, That the Institute earnestly request all who favor a more thorough and varied course of instruction for the young of our county, to aid the committee on Natural History, appointed by this Institute, in their work. Official. DEPARTMENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS, HARRISRURG, Feb., 1866. APPOINTMENT. DANIEL R. CODER has been appointed County Superintendent of Crawford county, in the place of H. R. Stewart, resigned. SCHOOL WARRANTS ISSUED IN JANUARY, 1866. Burlington bor., S. H. Hill, Amounts. $16 34 64 Towanda, North Roadrick Granger, 44 46 Beaver, Phillipsburg, Jacob Wagner, 40 28 Marion, A. A. Purman, 121 60 Madison, W. F. Clements, 121 98 White Haven, Samuel Wallace, 101 08 Harford, Gen. Jno. Blanding,138 70 Susqueh'a depot Henry Hall, 190 38 Bloss, L. D. Taylor, 54 72 Wm. F. Urell, 93 48 Sugar Creek. Martin Smith, 121 22 64 78 Tioga, Tunkhannock b. Samuel Stark, 2nd, TO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS Unless the bills for advertising Conventions to increase the salary of the Superintendent be forwarded by the first of March next, they will not be paid by this Department. County Superintendents are especially requested to acknowledge receipts of the school reports immediately when coming to hand, as it is very important for the Department at Harrisburg, to know that they are delivered. TO PRESIDENTS AND SECRETARIES. It should be remembered by the officers of the board, that warrants cannot now be issued for the State appropriation, until the annual reports are on file in this office, and these reports and certificates are not to be made out until the close of all the operations of the school year. It is there. fore better, and, indeed the law requires that the two documents be forwarded to this department at the same time.— Certificates need not be sent, unless accompanied with the annual reports, and these cannot be filled until all the schools have closed and the financial affairs of the district have been settled for the school year. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. YORK: A most successful meeting of the Teachers' Convention of the county, was held in the borough of York, 17. QUESTION: Can the President legally serve as colduring the week commencing December 26th. A large number of teachers were in attendance and the proceedings lector? ANSWER: He cannot. were marked with ability and adaptedness to the objects in view. No doubt the success of the meeting was promoted by the late law allowing $200 a year out of the County Treasury toward the expenses of the occasion. Amongst the speakers and instructors are found the names of S. B. Heiges, County Superintendent, Dr. Calvin Cutter, Profs. Watson and Ellsworth, of New York, Deputy Superinten. dent Bates, Prof. Porter of Lancaster, S. G. Boyd, Prof. Haldeman, Dr. J. W. Kerr, and Hon. A. Ebaugh the Pres The Treasurer may in certain contingencies serve as Collector, but in no other can a Director serve as Collector. The thing is preposterous. The President issues the warrant to the Collector, and is one of the board that is to determine what sureties must be given man to execute his own warrant, or decide upon the amount by the Collector; and most certainly he should not be the |