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OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK.

cords remaining in their possession; and to render to such Town Superintendent, as their successor in office, the account required by the 35th section, (No. 43,) of the school act.

The various provisions of the late act have no application to any of the cities, villages, or towns of the state, where local or special provisions at variance with its enactments, relative to the organization and management of the Common Schools already exist. So much however of the act as does not "impair or affect" any of those local and special provisions, is equally imperative upon such cities, villages and towns, as upon other portions of the state. Among the provisions not in any respect so affecting or im. pairing their local organization, are those which relate to the application of the library money, and the bringing of appeals to the County Superintendent, and from his decision to that of the State Superintendent.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS. By the fourth section of the late act, the Board of Supervisors of any county in which there are more than one hundred and fifty school districts, (including those joint districts, the school houses of which are located within the county,) are authorized to appoint two county Superintendents; in which case they are to divide the county into two convenient districts, and to assign a Superintendent to each. Each county in the state, is however, to have one county Superintendent, upon penalty of being deprived of its share of the public money, unless otherwise directed by this department.

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which they are annually kept open; and unless the supervision is thorough in all respects-unless the County Superintendent has made him. self familiarly and intimately acquainted with the resources, administration and capabilities of every one of the schools which he visits-unless he has been enabled to detect and remove by judicious counsel and friendly advice, every material obstacle to the prosperity and success of the school-to develope all its advantages and to give to it the means for attaining to an equa lity with those of the highest grade, the great object for which his office was created, has not been accomplished. It is, on every account desirable that the County Superintendent, should, once at least, in every year, and oftener if practicable, visit every district within his jurisdic tion, thoroughly inspect its school, satisfacto. rily ascertain the qualifications of the teacher and the facilities for instruction at his command, the condition of the school house and its appurtenances, the condition and prospects of the Library, the degree of interest manifested towards the school on the part of the inhabitants, and all those other particulars which go to form the character of the school and to determine the amount of mental and moral influence which it is to exercise on its inmates. But if, from the number of districts which it is made his duty to visit, he cannot accomplish this amount of la bor, and at the same time faithfully dischare the additional obligations devolved upon him by the existing law, it is far better that he should restrict his visitations to a number to which he can do full justice, thau that he should nominal. ly conform to the strict requirement of his inThere are now but two counties in the state structions, by making a flying visit to all the in which no county Superintendent has been ap. districts, without leaving any abiding, permapointed; Lewis and Richmond: and it is earnestnent impression of utility upon any. Let what ly to be hoped, that the respective Boards of is accomplished, be accomplished thoroughly; Supervisors of these counties will at their next what is done, be well done; and the temporary meeting supply this deficiency. All the details inconvenience which any one or more districts of the common school system, as at present ormay sustain from a failure on the part of the ganized, and all the arrangements of the de- County Superintendent to reach them in any partment for communicating with the several given period, will be more than counterbalanced districts; for supplying them with laws, blanks, by the amount of good effected when he does and other requisite information, and for obtain appear among them. All embarrassments ariing the various particulars comprised in the an-sing from this source, may however, in most canual report, depend upon the co-operation of the county Superintendents. The omission of a single county to comply with the requisitions of the law in this respect, effectually deranges the accuracy, and materially lessens the value of the various and important tables, estimates and statistics, annually required from the head of the department: seriously embarrasses all the operations of the system, and exerts a most deleterious effect upon the interests of education. Besides, the statutes in this respect is impera. tive. It directs the Board of Supervisors of each county in the state to appoint this officer; and the refusal or neglect to do so, involves a palpable violation of a positive law; and strikes at the very foundation of social order. The penalty superadded by the late act, for such neglect or omission will be rigidly exacted, in every instance where it may become necessary. The appointment of two County Superintendents wherever the number of districts in any county shall exceed one hundred and fifty, is strongly recommended. No one person can do full justice in the supervision of a greater num. ber of schools during the limited periods for

ses, easily be averted by the appointment of two Superintendents under the section referred to.

No stronger or more gratifying evidence can be afforded of the approbation with which the Legislature regarded the system of county supervision as at present established, than is comprised in the fact of devolving upon the officers charged or to be charged with these functions, the duty and responsibility of deciding in the first instance, upon all appeals now authorized to be preferred to this Department. Under this provision, they are not only vested with most important powers in reference to the settlement of the numerous controversies which spring up in the several districts, but enabled to exert a pervading influence of permanent utility as peace-makers, in that extensive class of cases where the paramount interests of education are now too frequently sacrificed to the attainment of a temporary triumph, or the gratification of a domineering, avaricious or selfish spirit. There can be no doubt that the presence and explanations and friendly counsels of one in whom all parties can confide-whose integrity is above suspicion-who comes to them, not with the dic

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DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL,

tatorial assumption of power, but as one deeply interested in their welfare and that of their children, and anxious only to restore harmony and peace where harmony and peace are indispensable to the common welfare, will, within the compass of a very short period, materially re. duce the number of vexatious, protracted and uuprofitable school district controversies and dissensions. There will still, however, be left a wide field for the exercise of sound judgment, nice discrimination and untiring patience and equanimity.

To qualify themselves for the judicious and enlightened discharge of the duties and responsibilities thus devolved upon them, the County Superintendents must first render themselves familiar with the various laws relating to Com. mon Schools and with the published decisions of the Department under those laws. In order to secure as far as may be possible, perfect uniformity of decision throughout the State, it is recommended to the several County Superintend. ents to refer at once to the head of the Depart ment, every question respecting the proper in. terpretation of any given statute or principle, not clearly apparent or specifically settled by the published Decisions. It is of the utmost importance that the administration of the system should be uniform in every section of the State. Discordant principles and clashing decisions in reference to the same point, must, it is obvious, fatally weaken the influence of that admirable organization which now prevails, and introduce anarchy and confusion in the place of order and justice.

In the settlement and disposition of the various questions which will come up before them, the County Superintendents can preserve and extend their influence and promote their useful ness, only by a strict impartiality between the contending parties, and a calm, temperate, dispassionate, but at the same time, firm and dig. nified examination and decision of the points at issue. If they err, either in reference to the facts or the law, a prompt remedy is afforded by an appeal to this Department; but if they have imprudently made themselves, either by an overweening confidence in their construction of the law with reference to the particular facts of any given case, or otherwise, parties to the controversy, they will find it exceedingly difficult to regain that influence over the minds and feelings of the disappointed, or even of the finally successful party, which is so indispensable to the efficient performance of their supervisory duties. It will be perceived by the eighth section of the new act, that County Superintendents are authorized hereafter to grant two classes of certificates of qualification to candidates for teachers: the one similar to those which they are now authorized to grant, and the other of the same description with those which Town Superintendents may grant: and that the consent of the Town Superintendent is not requisite to the annulling of either class. This discretionary power will enable them to discriminate between applicants of different qualifications, and at the same time to supply the demand for legally qualified teachers. A judicious exercise of the discretion thus vested in them, will speedily create a desirable competition among teachers for the higher grade of certifi cate, which ought never to be granted except to

teachers of undoubted ability and qualifications, and should ordinarily be reserved until the County Superintendent has thoroughly tested such ability and qualifications by a visit to the school.

By the tenth section, the State Superintendent is authorized, on the recommendation of the County Superintendent, or on such other evidence as he may deem satisfactory, to grant certificates of qualification of the highest grade.— This power must of necessity be sparingly exercised: and will be reserved as the suitable reward of thoroughly tested superiority in teaching. The several County Superintendents are hereby directed in their next and each succeeding annual report to specify the names and distinctive qualifications of any number of teachers not exceeding five within their jurisdictions, whom they are willing to recommend as candidates for such State certificate; having particular reference to ability and success in the communication of mental and moral instruction, and of the power of self-culture and the formation of those habits and principles best adapted to develop and strengthen the various physical, intellectual and moral faculties.

In the discharge of the various duties imposed upon them by the late law, the several County Superintendents will occasionally be called upon to receive and answer letters from inhabitants and officers of school districts. The expense so incurred is made a legal charge on the county; and the respective Boards of Supervisors are authorized to audit and allow the same. As such allowance, however, is discretionary with the Board, the Superintendents will find it advisable to curtail the expenses which may ac crue from this source within as narrow bounds as possible. The facility with which personal communication may in most instances be had, and especially the opportunity which will be af forded by their periodical visitations of the dis tricts, will obviate to a very great extent the necessity for epistolary correspondence. Cases will, however, frequently occur where such communications may be necessary: and when so certified under oath by the County Superinten dent, the requisite amount will doubtless promptly be allowed by Boards of Supervisors.

The power of removal from office vested in the Superintendent will, it can scarcely be ne cessary to say, never be exercised unless upon the most pressing exigency, and in cases of flagrant neglect, violation or perversion of duty, where the action of the appointing power cannot be had in season to avert the evil. While the Superintendent will, in no case undertake to review or in any manner to control, by the exer cise of this power, the designation by the respective Boards of the individual deemed most suit. able to discharge the duties of the office of County Superintendent, he will take care that the confidence reposed in such individual, is nei ther abused nor betrayed: and especially that the great interests of education, and the salutary provisions of the legislature for their advance. ment are not rendered obnoxious to the people in consequence of the incompetency or unfaithfulness of the agent selected to vindicate the one and enforce the other.

UNIFORMITY OF TEXT BOOKS. It is believed that the period has now arrived

OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK.

when an earnest and systematic effort should be made, under the auspices of the Town and County Superintendents, to relieve our institutions of elementary instruction from the serious embarrassments resulting from the diversity and constant change of text books. The several County Superintendents are therefore enjoined to avail themselves of the earliest practicable opportunity to cause an uniform series of text books, embracing all the elementary works ordinarily used in the common schools, to be adopted in each of the districts subject to their supervision, under the direction and with the consent of the Trustees; and when so adopted, not to be changed for the term of three years. Whenever such unitormity can be extended throughout all the districts of the town, and throughout all the towns of the county, it is very desirable that such extension should be made; but from the great diversity of views in relation to the relative merit of different works, the progress of this extension must necessarily be slow. The foundations may, however, be laid by the attainment of uniformity in the respective districts, for an ultimate harmony of views and concert of action on a wider theatre.

ANNUAL REPORTS OF COUNTY

SUPERINTENDENTS.

These reports must be made and transmitted to the department, on or before the first day of October in each year. They need not be accompanied by copies of the reports of the Commissioners for the present year, or of the Town Superintendents hereafter; but the abstract of those reports will embrace the aggregate results for each town, under each head contained in the printed form, which will be forwarded, and its accuracy will be certified by the County Superintendent. In each of those counties where there are two County Superintendents, the abstract, both of the Commissioners or Town Superintendents' reports, and of the statistical tables of the County Superintendents, will here after be made jointly, and presented in one series of tables, conforming to the printed blanks.

In addition to the general views and suggestions, relative to the condition and prospects of the schools, which the several County Superintendents may think proper to incorporate in their annual report to the department, the interests of education would, it is believed, be essentially promoted by the special consideration, on the part of each of these officers, of some one topic connected with the subject of education, to be selected by mutual consultation with each other, or assigned by the head of the department, as may be most agreeable to themselves. By the adoption of this course, a continued repetition of the same topics in the annual reports would be avoided, while, at the same time, a mass of valuable, well digested, and systematically arranged information, per. taining to the diversified range of educational science, would be annually presented.

There are various other topics to which the

Superintendent feels it his duty to advert, in connection with the existing laws in relation to common schools; but the pressure and variety of other public duties preclude their considera.

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tion at the present time. He will, however, avail himself of each succeeding number of the Journal to present his views in reference to such subjects as may seem to demand a further exposition.

In conclusion, the Superintendent once more earnestly and confidently appeals to the intelligence, patriotism and virtue of the great mass of the inhabitants of the several school districts, to sustain, adorn, improve, and advance our excellent system of elementary public instruction. Resting as it does upon their support, indebted to them for all its means of usefulness, and dependent for its continued existence upon their discriminating favor and efficient sanction, the practical superiority of its organization, its comprehensiveness and simplicity-its abundant and unfailing resources-and its adaptation to the educational wants of every class of community, will prove of litte avail without the invigorating influences of a sound and enlightened public sentiment, emanating from and pervading the entire social system. The now neg. lected and deserted District School must become the central interest of the citizen and the parent, the clergyman, the lawyer, the physician, the merchant, the manufacturer and the agricul culturist. Each must realize that there, under more or less favoring auspices, as they them. selves shall determine, developments are in progress which are destined, at no distant day, to exert a controling influence over the institu tions, habits, modes of thought and action of society in all its complicated phases; and that the primary responsibility for the results which may be thus worked out, for good or for evil, rests with them. By the removal of every obstacle to the progressive and harmonious action of the system of popular education, so carefully organized and amply endowed by the state, by a constant, and methodical and intelligent co-operation with its authorized agents, in the elevation and advancement of that system in all its parts, and especially by an infusion into its entire course of discipline and instruction of that high moral culture which can alone adequately realize the idea of sound education, results of inconceivable magnitude and importance to individual, social, and moral well being may confidently be anticipated. These results can only be attained by an enlightened appreciation and judicious cultivation of the means of elementary instruction. They demand and will amply repay the consecration of the highest intellectual and moral energies, the most comprehensive benevolence, and the best affections of our common nature.

S. YOUNG, Sup't Com. Schools..

OFFICIAL-TO SCHOOL OFFICERS.

The county superintendents, are directed to call the attention of the proper town officers, BY LETTER TO THE TOWN SUPERVISORS, to the provision requiring the appointment of a town superintendent on the first day of June. It is an important office, and its incumbent should be selected with much care. S. YOUNG, Sup't of Com. Schools.

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DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL,

DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL.

FRANCIS DWIGHT, EDITOR.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.

[We take pleasure in laying the following communication before our readers, and in adding our unqualified approbation to that of the Department, of the plan so intelligently devised and successfully executed under the auspices of the Tompkins County Superintendent.

Tompkins now takes its place beside Fulton and Orleans in providing these effective means for arousing the ambition, and elevating the qualifications of the educators of our youth. What has been accomplished in Fulton, by the devotion of Mr. Sprague, has been already published, and we hope soon to receive from Mr. Reynolds, the able and indefatigable Superintendent of Orleans, a similar exposition of the plan and prospects of the institution recently opened under his auspices. We congratulate the friends of every good work on these multiplied evidences of the progress of the great cause of moral and intellectual education.-ED.] HON. SAMUEL YOUNG,

Rev. David Powell, and James Thompson, Esq.
instructors of profound erudition and eminent
ability, than whom more competent men could
not probably have been selected, whose coun-
sels and instructions were of the first order,
and, if followed, calculated to be of great ser
vice to the youth of this county, in aiding them
to ascend the hill of science with delight, and
drink with pleasure from the crystal founts in
virtue's paths of peace. About one hundred
teachers were in attendance, (of whom up-
wards of sixty were females,) whose scholastic
attainments, general intelligence, upright de
portment, and love of knowledge and virtue, as
a class, add lustre to their names, and reflect
honor on the profession. Indeed, it may be
questioned whether in any county of the Union,
were ever before congregated one hundred of
its youthful citizens, who possessed so great an
amount of general intelligence, such a thirst for
knowledge, and withal so strong a love of
virtue. With very few exceptions, the class
paid strict attention to the instructions given in
the Institute, and appeared much pleased and
profited thereby. Such was the character of
the class, that we were inclined to believe that
ture in an atmosphere so pure and elevated.
the poorer teachers in the county feared to ven-

During the two weeks, instructions were daily given in the branches usually taught in language and vocal music, the different courses common schools, the analysis of the English of instruction, and modes of teaching were dis cussed; teachers compared their own views and experience, mingled and commingled together, until one feeling of good will toward all men, and anxiety to promote the welfare of the rising generation, appeared to pervade the whole class. The Institute was visited daily by scien tific men and devoted friends of popular education from this and other towns, by whom short and appropriate addresses were frequently made. At the close of the term, addresses were made by Judge Malbridge, Hon. Levi Hubbell, and the instructors of the Institute, and an able sermon preached by the Rev. John C. F. Hoes, from the text, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Superintendent of Common Schools. Deeming it the duty of County Superintendents to originate such plans as may seem to them calculated to improve common schools, and elevate the standard of popular education, and having carried them into execution, to lay before your Department the result of their operations, I proceed briefly to describe a plan, which I believe has been adopted in no county but this. On the 21st day of October last, I presented to "The Tompkins County Teachers' Association," theu convened at this place, a series of resolutions, setting forth the necessity of united and efficient action on the part of teachers to elevate their profession, and the From the great ability and devotedness of the standard of common school education; and cal-instruction, and the interest and attention of ling on them to establish in this county a Teach- the class, I am fully satisfied that much has ers' Institute, where all the teachers in the been done toward effecting uniformity of action county might meet semi-annually, and spend on the part of teachers, and elevating the profrom two to four weeks in receiving instruction fession of teaching, and the standard of comfrom able and efficient instructors, listening to mon school instruction in this county. The lectures from scientific men-bringing mind in plan is easy and practical; the instructors, who contact with mind, in discussing the different labor more for the public good than for money, plans for the improvement of schools, and finally are paid by the teachers, whose expenses are to adopt the most approved plans, and with our trifling. Those who visited the Institute speak united efforts carry into all the schools in the in the highest terms of its utility, and with perCounty the best course of instruction and modes fect confidence in the successful operations of of teaching, and at once raise them from that the plan. I present it to your Department for low state in which they have long been plunged. consideration, hoping that it may meet with Those resolutions were adopted, establishing your approbation, and be, by you, presented to an institute in this county, to be opened on the the public through the medium of the District first Tuesday of April, 1843, and continue a School Journal, and in such other ways as your term of two weeks. honor may deem expedient.

In conformity with said resolutions, the Institute was opened in this village on the fourth day of the present month, under the management of the County Superintendent, who had employed as instructors, the Hon. Salem Town,

I have the satisfaction, sir, of subscribing myself, respectfully yours,

Ithaca, April 25, 1843.

J. S. DENMAN,
County Sup't.

OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK.

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TOMPKINS CO. TEACHERS' INSTITUTE. The undersigned, citizens of Ithaca, in the county of Tompkins, having visited the Teachers' Institute," during its recent session of two weeks in this place, and having, many of us, attended the examination at its close, take pleasure in certifying our favorable opinion of the objects designed to be accomplished by its organization, and of the successful result of its labors.

One hundred common school teachers were in attendance during the term, including upwards of sixty females. The business of instruction was conducted by Mr. J. S. Denman, the efficient Deputy Superintendent of Tompkins county, aided by the Hon. Salem Town, and the Rev. David Powell, all practical and experienced teachers.

Mr. Town, as the author of the Analysis and other works on education, is favorably known to the public; and his services, as well as those of Mr. Powell, must be regarded as a valuable acquisition on the occasion.

The undersigned, however, bear cheerful testimony to the many evidences of attention, assiduity and general intelligence exhibited by the several members of the Institute. The coming together of so large a number of those who design to engage in the business of teaching,-the mingling and collision of minds,-the exchang. ing of ideas,-the communication of knowledge, -the hearing of lectures, and the engaging in arguments and discussions. could not fail to elicit an important mass of facts, and to produce an increased state of cultivation; and it is gatifying to believe that these opportunities have been well and faithfully improved.

The practical and easy experiment which has been so successfully made in the present in stance, we are persuaded will be hereafter repeated; and we confidently recommend the subject to the consideration of our fellow-citi. zens in other counties, believing that no expe. dient has hitherto been tried, so well calculated to elevate the character and qualifications of teachers, and to improve the condition of the common schools of the state.

Charles Humphrey,
Levi Hubbell,
David D. Spencer, and 15 others.
Dated Ithaca, April 19th, 1843.

THE MATTEAWAN DISTRICT.

In giving publicity to the annexed statement, which we very cheerfully do, we desire to accompany it with the single remark, that the testimony taken by the Deputy Superintendent, (Dr. Baxter,) and one of the Commissioners of Common Schools of Fishkill, (Mr. Dubois,) on the investigation instituted under the direction of the Department, amply and fully justifies the statements, in reference to the condition of the school house in this district, contained in our April number, and in the report of Mr. HULBURD. That testimony will be transmitted for publication in the local papers, that the inhab. itants interested may not only see the force and strength of the case presented to the Depart

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ment, but be aware of the contradictory and inconsistent statements, subsequently made in some instances, by officers and inhabitants of the district. If any injustice has been done to the district, no one can more sincerely regret the fact, than the Superintendent himself: but from the testimony now before him, resulting from what at least was intended and designed to be an open and public investigation by the highest local authority, and in the absence of any conflicting statements, a due regard to official obligations as well as to an enlightened public sentiment, demanded the exposition which was made.

Having now given the opposing statements, we must remit the further prosecution of this controversy to the local press. Should the matter undergo a further investigation on the part of the Department, the results will be given to our readers.-[Ed. D. S. Journal.

TO THE PUBLIC.

The subscribers, inhabitants of Matteawan, deeply interested in the support and maintainance of the school. known as District School No. 33, have seen with pain and regret, a report by the Superintendent of Common Schools of this State, reflecting upon the inhabitants of said District generally, and the Matteawan Company in particular, in a manner and tone of feeling, which we believe to be without any just foundation, and we hope, elicited by informa tion which was not sufficiently scrutinized.— We did suppose that our reputation for sincere, honest and persevering efforts, not only on the part of the inhabitants generally, but of the Company alluded to in maintaining and supporting this school, was too well established to need any corrobatory testimony, and to any such charge, we might say slander, emanating among

us.

We should have deemed a reply unnecessa. ry, but when the same is sanctioned by such high authority as the Hon. Secretary of State and Superintendent of Common Schools-the charge assumes a character, and one that demands our most serious attention. If the charg es are true in all their spirit, then we deserve the most marked reprehension; but if not true, then we desire an exculpation as full, and from an authority as high as the source from which it springs-the Hon. Secretary of State.

How far we may be worthy of blame, may best be judged from the following facts and affidavits, in relation to the rise and progress of the school-and leave it to those who know the facts, whether as set forth by the Secretary of State, "this soulless Corporation of Mattea wan company-have prepared in a cellar, a room over a Frog pool, which is fraught with the deadly malaria of the grave, and carrying disease and death among the inhabitants," &c., &c. The school-room alluded to is a part of the basement of the Presbyterian church. The edifice is located on high and dry ground, and the foundation laid in dry sandy soil. The othused by the congregation for their weekly eveer part of the basement is, and has always been ning exercises, and the school-room is of the same kind as is used by many of the Public Primary Schools in the city of New-York. We believe there was no complaint of the schoolroom, or any fault found with it, (and to this we challenge proof,) until after an application

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