industry, to support pauper canals, and to bestow immense gratuities upon hackneyed fraud, and countless millions upon impudent corruption ?" Transferred from the General 300 00 $33,811 64 Moneys received into the Treasury, viz. do 41,990 83 2,730 99 2,002 00 9,775 99 82,363 97 $116.175 61 Diminution of the Fund. Bonds for lands, viz: Principal of bonds paid into the Treasury,*** $25,708 19 der foreclosure of mortg❜es, If those of the present and the past should be summoned from their graves into judgment before the future, what response could they make to questions like these? The six hundred thou. sand children of the State, now rapidly approaching maturity, will soon occupy the places of their forefathers. And if with no more virtue and knowledge than their predecessors, the destinies of the future are committed to their guidance, the demoralizing scenes of the past may be reenacted; and the combined influences of paper money inflations and profligate "Internal Im-Reversion by sales of lands unprovement" again roll their full tide of corruption over the State. The practice of fraud, theft, embezzlement and robbery, whose almost daily! and nightly occurrence blackens the annals of the present period, is but the miniature epitome of past legislation. Destitute of the law-making power, by which the property of millions is compendiously plundered, the vagrant, nocturnal culprits are reduced to a miserable retail business, and forced either to abandon their calling, or to levy contributions upon single individuals. That most of the crimes against property which now disgrace society are the necessary results of "unclean legislation," and the consequence of examples of profligacy set in high places, there can be no reasonable doubt. The turbid stream of black legislative precedents flows through all the departments of human society, down to the very lowest, with the accumulating velocity of a descending torrent. But thank God the prospect of the future is not wholly devoid of hope. The records of the past year clearly exhibit an awakening in many portions of the community, on the important subject of juvenile instruction. The majority of the schools in the State are manifestly in the condition of palpable improvement. Instruction of a better quality, and in greater quantities than ever before, is now communicated to the young; and it is, therefore, certain that the present sick? ening vices and crimes will ultimately receive a salutary check; although the period of reformation may, perhaps, be protracted until most of the existing adult actors on the theatre of life shall have passed away. COMMON SCHOOL FUND. The following statement shows the amount of the capital of the fund and the increase and diminution of the same, during the year ending 30th Sept. 1843, viz: Amount of the fund 30th Sept. 1842,... ...$1,968,290 72 Increase of the fund as stated below, Diminished as stated below,.. Amount of the fund 30th Sept. 1843, 116,175 61 $2,084,466 33 Loan of 1792: Loan of 1808: Principal paid into the Treasury, ................... refunded, $815 72 74 69 141 82 Erroneous payments into the $46,578 79 41,990 83 2,780 99 2,002 00 1,032 28 9,445 00 800 00 5,298 34 $109,373 18 $344,472 88 275,461 64 $69,010 68 Amount of public money received and expended, and amounts paid on rate bills. The aggregate amount of public money received and expended in the several districts from which reports have been received, during the year ending on the first day of January, 1843, was $660,727.41, of which $565,793.76 were $178,412 00 applied to the payment of teachers' wages, and $94,933.65 to the purchase of suitable books for the district libraries. The aggregate amount paid by the inhabitants of the several districts on rate bills, was $509,376.97, making in all the sum of $1,075,170.73 applied to the payment of teachers' wages. The whole amount of public money received by the commissioners of common schools and town superintendents, during the year ending on the first day of July last, from all sources, is reported at $655,699.44, of which $552,772.79 were apportioned for the payment of teachers' wages, and $98,470.65 for the purchase of suitable books for the district libraries, maps, globes and other scientific apparatus, under the provisions of the act of 1843. by-word of repulsion-and the district school synonymous with all that was vulgar, low, immoral and degrading. The repeated and concurring testimony of individuals and public officers, and the observation and experience of all who have had the means of knowing the condition of these schools, in the greater portion of the districts of the State, will corroborate the truth of the picture here reluctantly drawn. The amount of local funds in the possession That there has not been a gradual and steady of the several towns and districts, derived from improvement in their condition, notwithstanding the avails of their gospel and school lots, unappropriated poor funds and other sources, is ported at $17,425.83. the obstacles they have been compelled to enre-counter, it would be equally unjust and untrue to assert: but under the disadvantages inseparable from an almost total absence of public or private supervision, that thorough and complete elementary education, which it was the policy and design of our system of public instruction to secure to every child of the State, has been almost universally withheld. County and Town Superintendents. The sources of the general inefficiency which has hitherto characterized our common schools, are undoubtedly to be found in the absence, until quite recently, of any effective supervision; in their complete isolation from each other, and from the community in general; in the indiffer- But we may reasonably congratulate ourselves ence manifested by the great body of the people upon the accession of a new order of things, in to their interests and welfare; in the want of relation to the practical workings of our system. competent teachers; the want of suitable school Through the medium of an efficient county and houses, suitable text books and suitable modes town supervision, we have succeeded not only of government and discipline in the school-room; in preparing the way for a corps of teachers in short, in the absence of any interest on the thoroughly competent to communicate physical, part of parents, and any enlightened knowledge intellectual and moral instruction-themselves of the science of education on the part of teach-enlightened and capable of enlightening their ers. Up to the year 1841, the only class of offi- pupils-but also in demolishing the numerous cers whose special duty it was to visit and in-barriers which have hitherto prevented all interspect the schools, and provide a suitable body of communication between the several districts. teachers for their instruction, were the commis- || An extended feeling of interest in the condition sioners and inspectors of common schools. and progress of the school has been awakened; In what manner these important and responsi- and in addition to the periodical inspection of the ble duties were discharged by them, has already county and town superintendents, the trustees been submitted to the Legislature, in previous and inhabitants are now, in many portions of reports from this Department. Incompetent the State, beginning to visit the schools of their teachers were permitted to take charge of a districts; striving to ascertain their advancement; great majority of the schools, under the official to encourge the exertions of teachers and pupils, sanction of certificates of qualification, granted and to remove every obstacle resulting from frequently without any previous knowledge of their previous indifference. Incompetent teachtheir character or attainments; and the visita-ers are beginning to find the avenues to the comtions required by law were seldom, and in a ma-mon school closed against them; and the demand jority of instances, never made. Trustees of on the part of the districts for a higher grade of districts contented themselves with discharging instructors, is creating a supply of enlightened the duties specifically imposed upon them by law; educators, adequate to the task of advancing the and after having contracted with a teacher at youthful mind in its incipient efforts to acquire the lowest prices they could obtain, and made knowledge. The impetus thus communicated to the requisite arrangements for continuing the the schools of one town and county is speedily school for a length of time sufficient to enable diffused to those of others. Through frequent their district to secure its proportionate share of and periodical meetings of town and county aspublic money, they rarely felt themselves called sociations of teachers and friends of education, upon to investigate the condition of the school the improvements adopted in any one district are itself; and the inhabitants of districts conceived made known to all; and the experience, observatheir duty discharged by sending their children, tions and suggestions of each county superinten. when convenient, to the school, and punctually dent, annually communicated, through their repaying their quota of the tax list or rate bill, ports, to all. By these means the stream of when called upon for that purpose. No oppor-popular education, purified at its source and retunity was afforded for comparing the condition lieved from many of its former obstructions, is of the school with that of others, near or remote; dispensing its invigorating waters over a very and each teacher, for the brief period embraced considerable portion of the State. in his contract with the district, without super- The reports of several county superintendents vision, encouragement or advice, daily passed which are herewith transmitted, exhibit unequivthrough a tedious and monotonous routine of un-ocal evidence of efficient exertions on their part, intelligible, and consequently uninteresting exer- in the performance of the responsible duties as cises. After an interval of three or four months, signed them by law and by the instructions of this another teacher was employed, and the same Department. To their efforts is to be attributed, process repeated, with such variations only to a very great extent, the revolution in public as resulted from the substitution of one imprac- sentiment, by which the district school from beticable method of instruction for another. The ing the object of general aversion and reproach, profession of the teacher became, too often not begins to attract the attention and regard of all. without cause, disreputable-the school house all To their enlightened labors for the elevation and act referred to, has generally been found, eminently conducive to the interests of primary education. advancement of these elementary institutions, we owe it in a great measure, that new and improved modes of teaching, of government and of discipline have succeeded in a very large pro"The abolition of the offices of commissioners portion of the districts, to those which have hith- and inspectors, and the substitution of that of town erto prevailed; that a higher grade of qualifica-superintendent," says the county superintendent tions for teachers has been almost universally re- of Albany, "has been universally approved by the quired; that parents have been induced to visit people. There is no longer a division of responand take an interest in the schools; that private sibility, under which duties can be neglected with and select schools have been to a considerable impunity; on one man rests the immediate charge extent discountenanced, and the entire energies of the schools, and their condition honors or disof the inhabitants of districts concentrated on the graces him. Not only is greater vigor and cerdistrict school; and that the importance, the ca-tainty in this manner given to the local adminispabilities and extended means of usefulness tration, but the usefulness of the county superof these nurseries of knowledge and virtue, are intendent is also greatly increased. By obvious beginning to be adequately appreciated in nearly and judicious arrangements, each can powerfully every section of the State. Collectively consid- co-operate with the other, combining together ered, these officers have well vindicated the con- the drills, inspections, registers, district examifidence reposed in them by the legislature and nations, and town celebrations into a system the people, and justified the anticipations of the which shall reach and remedy every evil.” friends of education. former system; and the official relations, as well as the frequent official intercouse and co-operation between them and a central officer of appellate jurisdiction, tends to prevent any material discrepancies." "The substitution of town superintendents In accordance with the recommendation of for commissioners and inspectors of common this Department, many of the county superinten- schools," says the Cortland county superintendents have, in addition to the statistical and gene- dent, "has, on the whole, resulted in a decided ral information comprised in their annual reports benefit to the schools, and in a more correct and for the present year, submitted their views on uniform administration of the laws. It could special topics which had been assigned them, not be expected that an entire uniformity would embracing the consideration of various subjects exist in the decisions or practices of these officonnected with the science of elementary educa-cers, but the uniformity is greater than under the tion. These topics have been, in general, ably discussed; and the results of their examination will be found to embody a mass of valuable and interesting information in relation to many of the most important departments of mental culture. I respectfully recommend that some adequate provision be made by the Legislature for the distribution of these valuable documents, together with the general reports of these officers, among the several school districts of the State. Should it be thought advisable to place one copy in each school district library, the expense of such an appropriation would be inconsiderable when compared with the benefits which could not fail to be derived from the general diffusion of the valuable information embodied in these reports. "I am highly gratified," says the superintendent of Dutchess county, "in being able to bear testimony to the readiness and efficiency with which these officers have, in general, discharged their duties; and I take this opportunity publicly to acknowledge my obligations for the efficient aid received from them in the discharge of my duties, in furnishing me with all the necessary information relative to the schools in their respective towns. The office of town superintendent is one of great importance; and it is hoped that the selection of these officers will be made without reference to their partizan character. Let the question be 'Is he capable, is he honest, is he moral ?'" "It affords me much pleasure," says the county superintendent of Franklin, "in being able to say that the constituted authorities exemplified much wisdom in their selection of these officers; more it is to be feared, than will the people hereafter, actuated by the bickerings of party spirit, as they too frequently are in the election of town officers. The town superintendents have almost invariably accompanied me in my peregrinations through their respective towns, and a more efficient, conscientious and co-operative set of officers cannot be found." The provisions of the act of the last session of the Legislature, relative to common schools, seem to have met with general acceptance on the part of the people. So far as the means of ascertaining public sentiment on this head have been possessed by the department, through its extended correspondence with the officers and inhabitants of the school districts, and through the annual reports of the several county superintendents, it may safely be alleged that the system of common schools as now organized, has received the almost universal approbation of those to whom its immediate interest and administration are committed. The great simplification of its details, by dispensing with the cumbrous and expensive machinery of commissioners and in- "It is a source of pleasure," says the county spectors, and committing the direct administra-superintendent of Essex, "for me to be able to tion of the affairs of the several schools in each speak of the zeal and spirit of co-operation town to one officer, selected in view of his pecu- which has been manifested by these officers in liar qualifications for the discharge of this duty, the discharge of their duties since their appointand required to give security for the faithful ap- ment. They seem to be conscious of the replication of the public funds entrusted to his sponsibilities devolved on them, and have rencare, has commended it to the public favor; and dered essential service during the past season, in it is gratifying to be able to state that the tem- contributing to perfect such arrangements as had porary selection of this class of officers, by the been projected to reform crying evils in the inlocal authorities, under the 18th section of the ternal workings of the schools." "The provisions of the law for the appoint ment of town superintendents," says the county superintendent of Genesee, "meet the approbation of the people generally. It is thought to be less expensive and more efficient than the former system. The officers appointed in this county feel the responsibilities of their station, and enter upon the discharge of their duties with zeal and ability." "Public opinion has evidently, in this county," says the superintendent of Hamilton county, undergone a radical change on the subject of school supervision; and the law of last winter reducing the number of town officers, has done much to satisfy the inhabitants that it is the wish of our Legislature to improve the schools, without increasing the expense to the districts." "I was accompanied by the town officers," says the superintendent of Jefferson county," seldom, previous to the first of June last. On the second day of June, the day after he received his appointment, one of the town superintendents commenced his labors by accompanying me in my visits to the schools; and since that time I have been left to visit alone, only about ten days. When there were five officers, it was hard to find one sufficiently interested to go even to see what was doing in the schools; now there is but one, I have always found him ready and generally efficient. This, with me, is sufficient evidence of the excellence of the present system of town of ficers over the former." "The law of last winter," observes the county superintendent of Rensselaer, "abolishing the offices of town inspectors and commissioners, and substituting in their places town superintendents, is almost universally regarded as an act of wise legislation." "These important officers were selected with much care and discretion, by the appointing officers of the several towns. They are good scholars, moral men and faithful officers ready to co-operate with the State or county superintendent in any measures for the improvement of the schools under their supervision." the present system of supervision and inspec tion, has had a salutary influence in improving our schools. The standard of qualification for teachers has been materially raised; and at this day it is very rare that a person of low acquirements presents himself as a candidate for teacher. I have no doubt that the act of the last session, abolishing the office of inspectors and commissioners of common schools, and substituting that of town superintendent, has already had an important influence on the prosperity of our schools. In this county that of fice, almost without exception, has been filled by competent men, having a full sense of the importance and responsibility of their station; and the effect has been, that men of low acquirements have rarely applied for license as teachers, and when such have applied they have almost uniformly been rejected. There is now a complete co-operation between the town and county superintendents, which has ensured, and will hereafter ensure, the employment of more competent teachers, and of course remove one great hindrance to the elevation of our schools. The town superintendents have been selected with reference more to their ability and learning than to their political creed or party services." "The law abolishing the offices of commissioner and inspector, and creating that of town superintendent of common schools," says the su perintendent of the northern section of Washington county, "has received the almost unanimous approval of the people. It is a decided improvement in the system. The town superintendent feels that the character of the schools in his town depends very much upon his efforts, and that there is no one else to discharge the duties of his office but himself. The result is, those duties are performed with fidelity and a commendable zeal. The labors of the county superintendent are made much more useful by this change. A correspondence can now be easily kept up with each town, and constant and correct information of the state of all the schools be possessed by the co. superintendent, enabling him properly to direct his efforts, and to make his visits at a time and in a manner most beneficial to the schools." "That the present system of conducting the affairs of our schools," observes the county superintendent of Steuben, "is less expensive, more simple and more efficient than the old method, are features in its character which can. The correct and harmonious movements of not escape common observation, and which are the school machinery of this State depend to a beginning to make a favorable impression on very great extent upon the proper selection of the public mind." "The concentration in the county and town superintendents. However hands of the town superintendents of the powers judicious any system may be in theory, yet the formerly vested in the commissioners and in-perfection of its practical operation is graduated spectors, thus throwing upon this single officer the responsibility which was formerly divided among five, must certainly have a tendency to augment the importance of the office itself in the estimation of the people, and to make them careful in the selection of those who fill it." "The substitution of town superintendents for inspectors and commissioners," says the superintendent of Sullivan county, is, without doubt, a valuable improvement in our common school system. In this county, selections have been made solely with reference to the ability of the men for discharging the duties of the of fice; and in every town I have found them able auxiliaries in promoting the interests of the schools." by the skill and ability of those to whose care is committed its administration. Among the various systems which might be devised, it would hardly be a figure of speech to pronounce that "Whate'er is best administered is best." The ability, zeal and singleness of purpose of any set of officers, even under an imperfect and disjointed system, might accomplish much good; and without these indispensable qualifi cations, the most simple and perfect organization would prove a failure. Hitherto the supervisors, with some few exceptions, have appointed individuals as county superintendents who were highly qualified for the station; and in canvassing the State, it will "I am much gratified in being able to state," be found that in all those counties where the says the superintendent of Ulster county, "that" most happy selections have been made, the po pularity of the system is the most firmly estab-obtaining a satisfactory account of the affairs lished. That these officers by a capable and of the district from their predecessors; and not zealous discharge of their duties, can confer unfrequently, large amounts have been recoverbenefits infinitely more valuable than their ed by legal process against the former, on the meagre compensation, begins to be understood; unexecuted contracts of the latter, for which no and it is fervently hoped that in every election indemnity, short of legislative provision, existhereafter to be made, of either town or county ed. Under the present system, ample time is superintendent, the most competent individual, afforded for the complete execution of all conwithout reference to sect or party, will be se- tracts entered into by the trustees; and on the lected. On such a subject, where the good of accession of a new officer, he will always find their children is at stake, men should dismiss two colleagues intimately acquainted with the their narrow prejudices, and tear in sunder the concerns of the district, and prepared to co-ope. shackles of party. They should consult only rate efficiently in the administration of its af "the greatest good of the greatest number" of fairs. Every facility will thus be afforded for the rising generation. They should direct their the systematic transaction of official business, preferences to those only who are the ardent and for the enlightened discharge of official dufriends of youthful progress-to those only, the ty. smoke of whose incense offered in this holy cause, daily ascends to heaven; and whose lips have been touched with a burning coal from the altar. The appellate jurisdiction conferred by the act of the last session on county superintendents, over the several acts and proceedings of town and district officers relating to common schools, has been productive of very beneficial results. Few appeals have been brought, owing to the facility with which controversies arising among the inhabitants and officers of the several districts, are checked in their incipient stages by the prudent counsels of the county superintendents, who by a personal interview with the parties and with the means of obtaining an accurate knowledge of their peculiar situation and wants with reference to school district accommodation, is enabled to harmonize conflicting interests, which experience has demonstrated might otherwise ripen into inveterate neighborhood feuds and lead to protracted litigation The salutary effects of this pacific system have been extensively felt throughout the State; and it is believed that no more efficient means of dispensing equal, exact and speedy justice, could be devised, than have thus been provided. By the denial of costs in all cases where school officers, acting in good faith, are subjected to legal prosecution, and by providing a tribunal fully competent to settle all controversies growing out of the operation of the laws relating to common schools, without cost or delay to either party, the most abundant facilities are afforded for a prompt and peaceful adjustment of the various differences incident to the practical operation of a system comprehending so great a diversity of interests. Trustees of School Districts. The election of trustees of school districts for a term of three years, in connection with the annual election of one of their number, cannot fail to secure a much more efficient and systematic administration of the affairs of the several districts, than has heretofore been found practicable. The duties and responsibilities of this class of officers are important; and their intelligent performance requires experience, as well as public spirit. Great embarrassments have heretofore been experienced in relation to the pecuniary concerns of the districts, and the fulfilment of contracts with teachers and others, arising from the frequent and entire change of trustees, and the impracticability in many cases, on the part of the new officers, of Apportionment of Public Money. Owing to the frequent changes in the laws relating to common schools which have occurred during the past few years, and to the irregularity with which the successive provisions of law and the expositions and instructions of the Department in reference thereto, have been received by the officers and inhabitants of the several districts, numerous instances of forfeitures of the public money have unavoidably occurred; and applications for the exercise of the discretionary and equitable powers vested in the Superintendent by law, have uniformly been allowed whenever supported by the requisite evidence of good faith and an unintentional or unavoidable omission to comply with the strict requisitions of the act. Deeming the results of the legisla tion of the last session, in connection with that which had preceded it, as intended to settle the policy of the State in respect to the organization and principal details of our common school system, and to place the system thus adopted on a permanent basis, I have caused the various provisions of law relating to this subject to be consolidated, and arranged under the various heads to which they appertain, and the whole, together with the instructions and expositions of my predecessor and myself, to be published in three successive numbers of the District School Journal, and forwarded to the clerk of each district in the State and to the various town and county officers charged with the performance of any duty under those laws, with specific instructions to the several town and county superintendents to see that they are in every case duly received. I have also deemed it expedient to authorize, by a general order directed to the several town superintendents, the apportionment and distribution of the proportionate share of public money for the ensuing year to each district, the reports from which shall show a substantial compliance with law, or be accompanied with a satisfactory excuse, under oath, for any deficiency in this respect. By the adoption of this measure, the several districts will be enabled to enter upon the new organization of the system, upon an equal footing and with every facility for a future punctual compliance with the various provisions of law; and all pretence or necessity for any subsequent departure from their requisitions, excepting under extraordinary circumstances, will be obvia ted. District Libraries. The aggregate number of volumes in the seve |