REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TEXT-BOOKS. obligated to submit to the decision of the majority; and The Committee, to whom was referred the considera- of course their co-operation cannot reasonably be extion of the best methods for securing a uniformity of pected. Allow us again to make the inquiry, what course shall be pursued? It is conceded that something Text-Books, beg leave to present the following:It must have occurred to the mind of every individ- should be done; and something is expected and earnestual, conversant with our common schools, that the ly desired by the great masses whom we represent. In our travels through the different sections of our respecgreat variety and diversity of Text-Books in use is one of the greatest hindrances to the welfare of these pri- anxious inquiries respecting this important subject. tive counties, our ears are almost daily saluted with mary institutions. This sentiment has been universally All seem to be desirous that a uniformity should be concurred in by superintendents and teachers in every adopted, and nearly all are expecting this great work to part of the state; and while much has been said and be accomplished by some action on our part. But written upon the subject but little has been done to rem-how is this desideratum to be accomplished by us, when edy the evil. True, in some few isolated sections, we have been able to approximate to a uniformity; but in general, so great is the diversity of opinion, and so strong are the prepossessions and preferences among teachers, superintendents and parents, and so active are the proprietors and agents of the different books in use, that a consummation of this much desired object can scarcely be hoped for from the present method of operation. It would be unnecessary at this time to descant largely upon the manifold evils accruing from too great a variety of works upon the same subject, being introduced into one school. These have often been enumerated are understood by all, and a repetition would be useless. neither bound by any considerations to abide the results of our parents nor teachers will consider themselves deliberations? We are aware that very many, even of those who are the most clamorous for a uniformity, who, instead of lending us their aid in carrying out such nations, and not infrequently, their own convenience in a project, would first consult their own taste and inclithe selection of books. It cannot be denied that many regard the price of a book of far greater consequence than the quality. From the extensive arrangements and persevering exertions of book-makers and publishers, the greatest variety of school books, by which means we find our country merchants regularly supplied with many objectionable works are exposed for sale in almost every neighborhood. Experience must have taught us all that in order to succeed in introducing a uniformity of books, we must secure the co-operation of the mercantile class; and experience has also taught us that a majority of that class of individuals prefer to deal in such articles as will admit of the most ready sale, and yield the surest profit; and we cannot reasonably expect that they will be easily prevailed upon to relinquish their deal in an article which is daily demanded by a portion of their customers. Besides the loss of time both to teachers and scholars, the increased expense to parents, and incalculable embarrassment to teachers, there is one evil, not inferior to either of these, which, in our estimation, has been overlooked or too lightly appreciated by most of those who have essayed to treat upon this subject; and that is, the deleterious consequences which must inevitably ensue to the government and discipline of the school. All agree that government is one of the most essential qualifications of a teacher; that "Order isHeaven's first law," and that without it, no government can flourish, In our first setting out in the work in which we are no neighborhood can be happy, and certainly no school engaged, the establishment of a uniformity of books, can prosper. But how, we would ask in the name of prominently suggested itself to every mind as a necescommon sense, can good order be established or suc- sary preliminary step, in order to give our school syscessfully maintained in a school, where the teacher's tem its proper efficiency; and the work at that period mind is constantly perplexed with a multiplicity of re- seemed to be comparatively an easy task; but as we adcitations from a variety of text-books, so numerous that vanced in our labors we found it not so easy a matter he is obliged to divide his school into five or ten times to bring about the desirable and necessary result Many the necessary number of classes, and to hurry from obstacles, which seemed but trifling at first, have proved one exercise to another from the commencement to the to be difficulties almost insurmountable; and although close of his school, without being able to allow himself very much may be done through the agency and co-opescarcely a moment's time for explanations or demon-ration of superintendents and teachers, yet it must be strations. In a majority of our schools at least three evident to all that in consequence of the many difficultimes as many recitations are daily crowded upon the ties attending it, by far the greater portion of our lateacher as he is able to hear and explain in a profitable bors are rendered ineffectual manner; and in the hurry and confusion which must reYour committee are aware that our business is not to sult from his being thus overtaxed with labor, the pu- legislate upon matters of this kind; but we have assempils will of course be oftener disturbed and less dis- bled here for the purpose of taking into consideration posed to study, and they will consequently be more in the most efficient methods that may be adopted for the clined to resort to some species of amusement to while improvement of our common schools. And although away the time and increase the confusion; and the we would scrupulously forbear treading upon forbidden teacher, by being thus constantly embarrassed for want ground, or assuming responsibilities which belong not of time to perform his duties properly, relaxes in his to us, still we conceive that it falls within our legidiscipline, and it is not strange that he becomes irrita- timate province to give a full expression of our views ble and morose in his manners. Could we succeed in upon matters connected with common schools, and to introducing a uniformity in all the text books used, and make such suggestions as in our estimation will best thus enable the teacher so to classify his scholars as to promote their advancement. The committee, after a have one-third, one-fourth or one-fifth of his school up-careful investigation of the subject, have come to the on the recitation bench at a time, at least one-half of conclusion that our efforts to establish a general unihis labor in preserving order would be obviated. The formity of text-books, will in the main be rendered nutask of governing his school would then be rendered gatory without the interposition of legislative authoricomparatively easy, and he would be enabled to demon-ty; and, notwithstanding many objections may be strate clearly the subject of each lesson, thereby great- urged, we believe the importance of the subject to be ly diminishing the number of superficial scholars, and such as to justify and even to dictate such a policy. rendering his instruction doubly profitable. The following plan suggests itself to us as the most But how is this uniformity to be brought about? What feasible that can, under the present circumstances, be are the most effectual means for attaining it? It is ev- adopted, and the one most likely to accomplish the ident the object cannot be fully accomplished by any end we have in view. Let all or a portion of the funds action or resolution of a superintendents' convention. now appropriated for the purchase of district libraries Let the trial be made here, and we find almost as many be set apart for two, three, or four years for the puropinions, all differing from each other, as there are chase of text-books to be used in schools. Let this members in the convention. It would be extremely dif- money be placed at the disposal of a board in each ficult to select even a committee of three or five, who county, composed of the county and town superintencould agree upon a catalogue of text-books; and should dents, whose duty it should be made to select a catawe be able to select a full catalogue of books to be re-logue of books to be used in the schools in their recommended, the safety and expediency of the measure spective counties, and to make the purchases. A full might well be questioned. If we choose to try the exlist of these books might be filed in the county clerk's periment in our county conventions of teachers, or office, and also in each of the town clerk's offices, and town drills, we find the same diversity of views, and published in the county papers. No alteration should the same tenacity of opinion prevailing. In some of our be allowed in the catalogue until the expiration of teachers' associations we have succeeded in adopting, years after the selection is made. These books, when by resolution, a uniform series of text-books. But in distributed, should be considered the property of the these instances there is always a minority, who have districts, and left in the care of the trustees. No their strong preferences for works of their own taste, and book need be purchased unless the means are sufficient who are unwilling to consider themselves in the least to supply every school in the county with the same. The books may be distributed by the county superintendents monstrative not only of its entire practicability to the several town superintendents, and by them to the several districts, in proportion to the amount of money which they are entitled to draw. Although warmly at tached to the school district library system, and believ ing it to be one of the richest legacies ever bequeathed to the rising generation by the beneficence of our State Legislature, still we are of the opinion that a temporary diversion of a part, or the whole of the library fund, and its application to the purchase of text-books until a uniformity could be established, would more than amply repay on the one hand what is lost on the other. And when we take into consideration that a large portion of our districts are already supplied with good libraries, and many are found who are anxious that the library moneys should be applied to some other purpose, we are constrained to believe that a temporary diversion of these funds, for such an object, would be favorably received by the people. From the reports of the state superintendent, it ap: pears that from ninety-five to one hundred thousand dollars are annually expended for the purchase of distriet libraries. If we make an estimate from the number of scholars attending our schools, and the number pursuing the different branches, as furnished in the sta tistical reports of the county superintendents, it is apparent that this amount of money, judiciously expended for the purchase of books in the gross, would nearly or quite furnish every school with a full supply of Spelling Books, Reading Books, Grammars and Arithmetics during the first year. Such a disposition of the library fund for one year alone would nearly establish a uniformity so far as these works are concerned; and after having been once uniformly introduced throughout the county, there would be but little inducement for merchants to supply themselves with others; parents would be likely to continue to purchase the same for some considerable time, and a permanent uniformity could easily be secured. If it be found impracticable or inadvisable to operate upon so large a territory as the county, a similar plan might be pursued by towns, constituting a town board, entrusted with similar du ties to those proposed for the governance of the county board. It might perhaps be more conducive to the general good to divert only a portion of the library fund for this object, and require the connties or towns to raise an equal amount, to be expended in the manner proposed above. O. W. RANDALL, SEABURY ALLEN, H. H. INGRAHAM. and general expediency, but of the numerous advantages, even in a pecuniary point of view, which its adoption is calculated to secure. Bishop POTTER, whose eminent services in the cause of popular education, no less than his known practical good sense and sound discrimination, renders his name high authority on such a subject, openly took grounds for the ultimate adoption of this system, more than a year since, at the Rochester convention of county superin. tendents; and we have reason to believe that his views in this respect have been rather strengthened than weakened by subsequent developments. In short, the most influential and enlightened friends of education throughout the state, without, so far as our knowledge extends, a solitary exception, look forward to the time when this most desirable change can safely and harmoniously be effected, with the most undoubting confidence in its efficacy and beneficial results. The opportunity which the probable assembling of the Convention for the purpose of revising and re-constructing the entire fabric of our state government, will present for the full discussion of this great subject, in all its aspects, present and prospective, is eminently favorable to its early examination and settlement. In view of these facts we would respectfully but earnestly suggest to the friends of education in every section of the state to avail themselves of all suitable occasions at town and county conventions, teachers' associations and institutes, public lectures, &c. to present the question of the substitution for our existing system, that of FREE SCHOOLS, to be supported and maintained by a general assessment on taxable property-to inThere are encouraging symptoms in the manifes form themselves thoroughly of the various facts tation of public opinion in various sections of the which have a bearing, directly or indirectly, on state tending to show that the ultimate adoption the subject; and to elicit, by resolutions or othof the FREE SCHOOL SYSTEM, with the full and erwise, so far as may be practicable, a general hearty concurrence of all classes of the commu-expression of the views, wishes and feelings of nity, is not so remote as its friends, in general, the community in this respect. The intelliare disposed to apprehend. In addition to the gent, efficient and decided co-operation of the able report of Mr. NAY, of Genesee, made at people, without distinction of party or sect, is the late state convention of county superinten-indispensable to the success of such a measure; dents, which we take pleasure in laying before and it is therefore of the utmost importance that our readers in our paper of this month, several it should be early, widely and faithfully canof the most leading and influential newspapers vassed. The several county superintendents esin different parts of the state, such as the New-pecially will do well to ascertain fully the maYork Tribune, Westchester Herald, Onondaga tured opinions of their constituents, in season to Standard and others, have already taken deci- enable them to represent their views and wishes ded and strong ground in favor of the proposed at the state convention in April next. change. The STATE SUPERINTENDENT has declared himself unequivocally in its favor; and is, we understand, engaged in the collection and preparation of a body of statistical evidence de Committee. DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL. ALBANY, AUGUST, 1845. FREE SCHOOLS. In another column we give the commencement of a series of articles on this subject, which will be continued from time to time, as we may be able to find room. SCHOOLS OF SYRACUSE, UTICA AND ROCHESTER. opment and training of all the faculties that make what Carlyle calls a live man. Similar advancement has distinguished the We were fortunate in being on the Committee that visited the Schools of Syracuse. It is schools of Rochester. They earlier felt the im. not many years since we had examined them, pulse of the educational reformation, and have when they were with one exception, a disgrace for three years maintained an honorable place in to the prosperous village that then tolerated their the front rank of the system. Those who attendexistence, and we noticed with unmingled de- ed the state convention in 1844, have not forgot light, the wonderful reformation that has since ten the assemblage of the schools of that city, that time placed them among the best schools of and the evidence then given of their honorable the Union. The teachers are intelligent and de- position among the schools of the state. To I. voted to their high duties; the buildings, models F. Mack Esq., their faithful superintendent, and of neatness, order and beauty of arrangement, to the teachers who have so ardently co-operaand the pupils happy, obedient and improving.ated with him in renovating the schools, the peoSuch was the concurrent testimony on all sides, ple of Rochester owe the promise of the continand the Committee saw much to corroborate and ued and increasing prosperity of their beautinothing to contradict it; and we were assured ful city. that heavy as was the tax which the new buildings had drawn from the citizens of Syracuse, already they felt repaid a hundred fold by the better education of their young citizens. * Of the schools of Utica, we can only speak by report, but that report comes from so many authentic sources, that it needs no personal examination to corroborate its truth. Utica claims now to have as good schools and as well administered a system, as is to be found in the State of New-York. Her citizens have with wise liberality provided for their support, and the means supplied have been faithfully and intelligently administered under the supervision of J. Watson Williams, one of the most devoted and successful advocates of education, that the State can boast. It is now six years since we visited what was then called the best District School in Utica, and we well remember its Babel confusion. The teacher, an Englishman, remarked, as we pointed out a pupil, who by way of varying the school exercises, was just jumping out of the window of the school-house, that as good order must not be expected in city as in country schools," and so passed on to his duties. *We were much pleased with the cyphering books they contained neat drawings of the geometrical solids, &c., to which the Problems referred. And were many of them beautiful specimens of neat and correct work. We carried off almost nolens volens, Master Henry Lester's book, as a specimen, for the examination of those who may call at our office. ED. 411 THE AURORA COMMON SCHOOL. I told you that when our school-house was fin If we should visit the Utica Schools now, we should expect, and we doubt not we should find.ished I would write you a few words about it; perfect order, neatness and attention among the and now as it is all done, and within it are gath pupils; the benches uncut and unstained; the my promise. We do not mean to be vain about ered a full complement of scholars, I will fulfil attendance list full, and showing an average ab- it, or talk overmuch of it, and it is only because sence of not more than five per cent; (the aver- we think a good example has been given, that I age of Mr. Salisbury's school at Syracuse in Feb. revive the recollection of the conversation which we had about "the school-house." When Miss ruary; > the teachers faithful, and intelligent Mitford, in her charming book, immortalized loved by their pupils and honored by their em."Our village," it was, I suppose, one of those ployers; and the methods of teaching, thoroughly sequestered hamlets with which that garden fit, and progressive, designed to secure the devel-island, England, is dotted over, made more beautiful by lawns and flowers. Now gardens, and 70 flowers are cherished enough here; but if this were all, we would only have what a hundred other pretty places possess in common with us: But Aurora has some gifts from nature, which art may illustrate, but could never have origina. ted. The Cayuga lake, just opposite the village expands to a width of about four miles, the eastern shore,on which the village is situate,sloping gradually from the water's edge to the corner of the table land, the houses skirting the curve of this bay, and fringing with animation the broad rich green, that diversified into varied fields forms the back ground. The terminations of the shore north and south are in coincidence with the other features of the view. Southwards, a point of rock worn and bared by the constant dash of the waves, and sheltering a pine grove just in its rear from being torn away in successive seasons by the storms that will sometimes sweep over the waters. Northwards, the little settlement of Levanna reaches out its storehouses and dwellings to the very point; and thus flanked and fronted, lies Aurora. [Report made at the State Convention.] Your committee on the subject of Free Schools would respectfully report, that every consideration of duty urges the recommendation and adop tion of the most speedy and efficient measures for the support of public instruction. It has been ascertained from statistical sources, that more than seven-eighths of this entire community receive their education from common schools; hence it follows, as our schools are, so is the edu cation of the people. When we turn our attention to that important subject, it is very natural for us to consider the condition of our common schools; and, if the system for the support of those schools is found defective, it then becomes Midway in the village, and directly on the our duty to suggest and devise a remedy. While it shore, is the school-house, a sketch of which you is admitted that our system of public instruction have kindly permitted me to preface to this no- is a good one, and that the schools under it are tice. It is twenty-four feet by thirty-four, and making a steady progressive improvement, it is so arranged in the interior as to afford pleasant not to be supposed that the system is yet perfect or and well arranged seats for the pupils, and an that the best measures have yet been adopted to apartment for the library. The room has a clear perfect and secure an education for all the sons height of sixteen feet. The effort has been made and daughters of our state. Although we have a to prove that a school-house, a "common" school fund, and an annual appropriation from that fund house may be made an ornament, while it re- of two hundred and seventy-five thousand dol tains and improves every attribute of usefulness. lars, and an amount equal to that appropriation It was built by a tax, voluntarily laid at succes- annually raised by tax for the support of our sive meetings of the citizens of the district, in common schools, yet it is matter of fact, that the levying of which, all parties and classes have even this amount is insufficient fully and satisjoined; and in the comfort of the children, the factorily to answer the object of the appropriaelevation of the rank of the common school and tion. There are children in the state of Newthe addition of a neat and tasteful building to the York, and we have reason to believe, in almost village, the citizens feel themselves repaid. The every county in the state, who do not attend any lot on which the house stands runs from the school, for the very obvious reason, that their main street to the lake, and the building is placed parents have not the means to pay their rate-bill; far back from the street, and near the verge of moreover the self-respect and pride of those pathe lake side, remote from the bustle of the street rents forbid that they should be exonerated from and in a position to be always free from its dust such payment by the trustees. Nor is this alland other annoyances. On the front of the build. without funds from some public source, sufficient ing towards the lake, the words "Aurora Com-to defray the entire expense of our schools; and mon School" are tastefully and conspicuously placed, to evidence to the travellers on the thoroughfare of the Cayuga, that while the village has an academy of which it is proud, it has a "school" of which it is not ashamed. In a small tower supported by four carved and fluted pillars, a bell is hung (the gift of HENRY MORGAN,) by which the scholars are summoned together. Its tones are heard every morning and afternoon, ringing out in clear language, the evidence that our quiet village is, on the subject of education, neither slumbering nor sleeping. The trustees during the period of its erection were Messrs. CHARLES CAMPBELL, RICHARD MORGAN and SOLOMON R. MYERS. Aurora claims only to have given in this an example which she is fully conscious other towns have far better and more ample means to imitate and to exceed. If by it, any other community shall be incited to the good and grateful work of making the home of primary education, a place where the teacher will gladly work and the scholar willingly attend, and which the citizen may show the stranger without a blush or a regret, that too in such a manner as to make them ac ceptable to the rich and available to the poor, we give rise to private and select schools; thus creating a distinction in society, that ought not to exist in a community of freemen, who profess to believe in, and attempt to sustain the principles of republican liberty. The question then arises, how shall this evil be averted? Your committee are of opinion, that we should follow the example of many of our sister states: yea, more-that we should follow the noble example of some of the cities of our own state: New-York, Poughkeepsie, Buffalo and Rochester, by adopting at once a system of school education that is freethus affording the facilities for instruction to all, Free School system imposes too heavy a tax on whether rich or poor. Will it be said that the those who have no children to educate? Will it be said that it imposes too heavy a tax on the wealthy? As well might an objection be urged against raising a tax for other purposes; for defraying the expenses of our courts of justice in the trial of criminal causes, the support of the poor, and for levying taxes in time of war for the national defence. It is said that some of the most wealthy citizens of the city of New-York, asked, and even petitioned the legislature for the passage of a law, to tax their property for the support of their public schools-thereby making them free for all, whether rich or poor. In this they acted upon the principle, that it was unsafe to live in a community, where any portion of the rising generation are suffered to come upon the stage without an education, mental and moral. Ask the citizens and the superintendents of those cities where the free school system has been adopted, and where we are told the experiment has been successfully and triumphantly tested. Are they willing to abandon it? No-they cling to it with an unyielding tenacity, as the only means of affording an education to all their children, and of securing protection to persons and property. Under all the circumstances of the case, your committee have come to the conclusion, that it is not only a duty but a wise policy, to adopt the Free School system, throughout the length and breadth of the entire state, and that it should become a law :-Therefore Resolved, As the sense of this convention, that we are decidedly in favor of a Free School Sys tem; believing it better calculated to promote the interest and secure the permanency of our civil and religious institutions, than any other System that can be devised. interests, habits, opinions and even convenience There are now in this state about 700,000 children between the ages of five and sixteen years; for the greater portion of whom it is the duty of the state to provide in common schools, the means of thorough elementary instruction, adapted to the existing improvements in science, and to the ordinary and probable exigencies of Resolved, That the establishment of Free future life. Contining our views for the preSchools throughout this state, be respectfully sent to this important branch of public instruccommended to the consideration of all its citition, let us look at the results of our past history The following resolution was offered as a substitute: zens. DAVID NAY, Ch'n. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. in this respect. The public funds provided and authorized by the state for defraying the expenses incidental to the education of these 700,000 children in the common schools, cannot, in any event, within the ordinary sphere of calculation, exceed, and do actually fall considerably short of one dollar per annum for each child: while the expense of the most superficial instruction, for one quarter or term only of the year, can scarcely be supposed to fall short of double this amount. The average term of instruction is eight months, or two terms; and assuming that all who are entitled to avail themselves of its benefits were actually in attendance, one quarter only of the expense of instruction would be defrayed from the public funds. In point of fact, however, a very large proportion of these children do not receive instruction in these schools: and the share of public money applicable to the residue is consequently enhanced, so that considerably more than one half of the expense is actually met by the public money-the whole amount contributed on rate bills during the last year reported being $447,565.97, while the aggregate amount of public money appropriated to the payment of teachers' wages was $544,656.06. THE obligation of a wise government to provide for the general diffusion of knowledge among its citizens, by public institutions for the communication of elementary instruction, is universally acknowledged. The proper performance of this duty, by the representatives of a government, based upon the principle of popular supremacy, becomes of paramount importance, when it is considered that upon its more or less faithful and efficient discharge depends the future character, the prospects, and even the continued existence of that government. The slightest power of discernment will serve to convince the most unreflecting of the great truth incorporated in the Farewell Address of the Father of his Country, that it is upon the general diffusion of knowledge and the prevalence of virtuous dispositions, that the fabric of our free institutions must essentially depend. These principles being admitted, and hitherto acted upon by the legislature of our own state, it becomes important to inquire, One of two things would therefore seem to be whether such action has been, or is commensu- requisite in order to restore a proper equilibrium rate wth the object it is designed to promote and in this respect. Either the aggregate amount of secure whether, in other words, ample provi- public money applicable to the payment of teachsion has in fact been made for the elementary ers' wages should be increased, so as to secure instruction of all the children of the state: wheth-in any event, an adequate sum to meet the exier this provision is, upon the whole, and all things considered, based upon the best possible organization: whether it has hitherto accomplished, and to what extent, the end in view: and whether it is susceptible of practical improvement, having a due regard to the rights, gencies of every parent in reference to the elementary instruction of his children; or efficient measures should be adopted to make it the interest of every parent to send to the district school, thereby reducing to a very slight sum the amount requisite to be raised on rate-bill, however inad |