TSjTlfftiFORD GAZETTE ** j
l ruuu BVgRY fIIIDAY *O*MN
% Bfß. MFIURB.
At the following tarmi, to wit 4
$2 00 jpor annum, if pnid Within the year.
29.00 " " it not piid within tho voir.
QJ*No subscription taken tor less t'han lir month*.
tjyNo paper discontinued until oil aire-iragea are
paid, unless at'thw option of the publisher. It has
been decided by th* United States Courts that the
otoppege of n newspaper without the payment of
arrearages, is prima facie evidence of fraud and as
a criminal offence.
UjrThe court* have decided that pertonsare ac
oountable for the subscription price of newspaper*,
K they take them from tho phst office, whether they
subscribe for them, or not.
svofts2ionaf (larha.
'T.M. KINNSLL. W. LINOCNFCLTSK
KIMMELL fc LINGENFELTER.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW, BEDFORD, PA.
BT'Have formed a partnership in the practice of
the Law. Office on Juliana street, two doors South
of the "'Mengel Route."
Tos MANN. • H. Sr. NO.
M 4 N N & SPANG.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW, BEDFORD, PA
The undersigned htve associated themselves in
the Practice ol the Lew, and will aitsnJ promptly
to, itfl business entrusted to their caie in Bedford
tod adjoining counties.
IXyOffiee on 'uliana Street, three doors south
of the "Mengel House, ' opposite the residence of
Jiaj.Tste.
Bedford, ftplylWl-
Csssaa. Q- 5- SHANNON.
7 CEBBN* a SHANNON.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW, BEDFORD, PA.,
Q7*Haf formed a Partnership in the Practice of
thsLaW. Office nearly opposite the Gazette Office,
where one or the other may at all times be found.
Bedford, Aug, 1,1861.
"JOHN P RE ED,
ATTORNEY AT LAW, BEDFORD, PA.,
y.eepee tfully tender hie service to the Putt re.
CyOfflce second door Nqrth of the Menge
Bedford, Aug, 1, 1861.
KW. M. HALL., , JOHN PALMES.
HALL & PALMER,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW, BEDFORD, PA
promptly attend to all business entrus
ted to there rare. Office on Julianne Street, (near,
hr opposite the Mengel House.)
Bedford, Aug. 1, 1861.
I. 11. fOFFROTII,
• ' ATTORWEY AT LAW,
SOMERSET, P A . , ,
Wilt hereafter practice regularly in he several
Courts of Bedford county. Business entrnsted to
Bia care will be faithfully attended to.
December <, 1881.
JO H N B 0 R I) F, BT
GUNSMITH, BEDFORD, PA.
Shop at the east end of town, one doc west of
the resident? of Major Wahabaugn.
guns of my own manufacture warranted.
Bedford, Aug. 1, 1861.
8 AMI ELK F TT R R !U A N >
BEDFORD, PA.,
Qy Would hereby notify the citigene of Bedford
deunty, tbet he has moved ro the Borough of Bed
ford, where he may at all times be found b persons
wish : n( to see bim, utle.s ibeent upor business
.pertain.rig to his office.
Bedford, Aug. 1,1861.
..Uou Rsas, J.J Scmix,
REED AND BCHELL,
BANKERS k DEALERS IN EXCHANGE,
BEDFORD, PRNN'A.'
DRAFTS bought and told, collections made
ned money promptly remitted.
Deposits solicited. 4
itrctSNcaa.
Hon. Job Mann, Hon. John Cessna, and John
Mower. Bedford Pa., R. Forward, Somerset, Bunn,
Raiguel k Co., Phil. J. N'att k Co., J. W. Cutley,
A Co., Pittsburg.
CHARLES HOT>,LT ~
eOBNKK OF WOOD /ND THIRD STREETS
riTTSHVIOH, PA
HARRY SHIRLS PROPRIETOR
April I* 1861.
w. w. ant. JOUN s. osvtsos
MAI* AND DAVISON,
Importers and Dealers in
addlery, Carriage and Trunk
Hardware and Trimmings,
NO. 127 WOOD STREET,
Pittsburg Fenn'a.
FITTSBORU, PA., Corner Penn and St. Clair Sta
The largest Commercial School of the United
Statei, with a patronage of nearly 3,000 Students,
ta five yeara from 31 Statea, and the only one
which affords complete and reliable instruction in
all the tallowing branches, via : Mercantile, Man
ufecturers, Stearrßoat, Railroad and Book-keeping.
First Premium Plain and Ornamental Penmanship;
aleo, Surveying and Mathematics generally.
_ * $35.00
Paya for a Commercial Course. Students enter and
-review at any time.
HP* Ministers' eons' tuition at half price. '
For Catalogue ot 86 pages, Specimens of Busi
ness and Ornamental Penmanship, and a beautiful
College view of 8 square feet, containing a good
variety of writing, lettering and nourishing, in
close 84 cents in stamps to the Principals.
JENKINS k SMITH, Pittsburg, Pe.
April 18, 1862. 6
~ ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTICE.
of administration on the estate of Dan
rielii. Long, lata of Liberty Jtp., dee'd, having
■been granted to the subscriber, all persons in
debted to said estate, are hereby notified to
make immediate payment, and those having
claim* will present them duly authenticated
ft r settlement.
JOSEPH E. LONG,
April 10, lftfiß. —fits* Adra'r.
~ EXECUTOR S NoficET
Latter* Testamentary on tbe estate of Solomn
Diebl, fits of Colerain township, dee'd, having bee
granted to tbe euhsciiher, rexioi. g in said towm hip,
notice is therefore given to all pet ons bte.l to
mid estate, to make payment iinrr.e luteiy, and those
having claims will present tnecr. fur nwith, proper
ly aothentie.ua for settlement.
jkprfijJ. HENRY P DIEHL, Exn'r.
•• ■OTP- JOHN L. HOOCH. W. §. Bi)TD| Jil*
BOIfO & IkOiUH.
w HOLES ALE GROCERS,
U... No. It SOOTH WATER ST,
... . ' „ ' Putt,*DEVl*.
March ff, !gtk-an
VOLUME 5S.'
——
NEW SERIES.
illjc Sfljool master 21 bro ai)
EDITED BY SIMON 9YNTAX, ESQ
KTTeachers and friends of education are respee
fully requested to send rommumcationtAo the abov
caie of ''Bedford Gazette."
The Salary of the County Superintendent
and the State Appropriation.
"The salaries of County Superintendents aro
payable out of the gross amount of state appro
priation. Kach is not paid out. of the amount
or dividend of state appropriation coming to
liis proper county." (School Laws—New
Digest—p. 81.
The fact stated, in the above extract from
the school laws, has been reiterated again aful
again ; and yet many nersons seem to bo under
a misapprehension as to the source from which
County Superintendents draw their pay, and
the extent to which their salaries atiect the
state appropriation of their respective counties.
In this county the*salary of the Count/Super
intendent, makes but little difference in our quo
ta of the state appropriation If we should re
duce it to one hundred d ollars or raise it to one
thousand, our state appropriat ion would still
remain within a few dollar" of what it now is.
A very simple calculation will show this:
According to the State Superintendent's re
port for 1861, after deducting the Salaries of
County Superintendents and the other expen
ses of the system from the total state appropri
ation, the balance left for distribution among
the districts, in proportion to the number of
taxable inhabitants, two hundred and thir
teen thousand five hundred and thirty six dollars
and seventeen cents, (213.586.17.) The num
ber of taxables in the state was 612.291. Hence,
if all the districts had complied with the law,
ar-': drawn their appropriation, the amount per
taxable would have been about 83 cts., 2
mills, and 6tenths of a mill (.3326). But if
we had given our Superintendent S3OO more, |
this sum would have been dcductcdfroin $213.- I
536.17, leaving only $513,030.17 to bedistrib-1
uted among the districts. This would havegiv- 1
en each taxable about 33 cts., I mill and 6
tenths of a mill (.331,0), or about one mill less
to each taxable when we paid a salary of SIOOO
than each would get if wo paid $500: And since
our county has 0,037 taxables the loss to the
whole county would be only about $0.03. This
would be a loss to tin county of about one dol
lar and twenty cenls for each hundred dollars 1
paid to the County Superintendent.
Election of a County Superintendent.
On Monday the 4th of May next, the Sbcool
Directors will assemble in Bedford to elect a
County Superintendent. Upon their action
will depend, in a great measure, the success and
prosperity of the common schools, in our coun
ty during the next three years. The county
Superintcndeucy is, for the present, a part of
our system; and whether we like it or dislike it,
it is the part of prudence and wisdom to mako it
as beneficial as possible. Tothis end a inun thor
oughly competent to discharge the duties of the
office should bo selected, regardless of sectarian
or partisan influences. But competency, alone,
is not enough. A man should be selected who
will throw his whole heart into the work, and
devote all his time and energy to the discharge
of his duties. There is yet work to be done be
fore the schools and the teachers of our county
attain the standard of excellence and useful
| ness contemplated by the founders of our school
system. We hear a number of teachers, who
would do honor to the office, mentioned in con
nection with the Superintendency. We trust
that the best man will bo selected, and that he
will be paid a fair salary—such a salary as will
enable him to work untiringly, in season and out
of season, for the improvement of the teachers and
th'i schools.
Political considerations should be left entire
ly out of the question. Thesacred interests of the
schools should not be jeopardized by political
| strife and bitterness. The efficiency and use
fulness of the County Superintendency depend
upon the confidence and co-opcralion of all clas
ses of the people. Without theso a County
Superintendent is, in a manner, powerless. An
officer elected in a political contest cannot com
mand these. At most ho can only secure the
co-operation of the friends of the schools in
his own party, whilst his political opponents
and the opponents of the schools would look
upon him with distrust ami enmity. Under
such circumstances his duties can not fail to be
irksomo and his usefulness much impaired.
These and similar considerations we trust and
believe will induce school directors to throw
politics to the winds and act only for the suc
cess and welfare of tbo schools.
THE COUNTY SUPEHINTENDENCY.
J REPORT RE.ID IIY JOHN C. GUYER IE
fORE THE BEDFORD COUNTY TEACH
ER'S ASSOCIATION June 27, 1862.
There Is perhaps no feature of the Common
School System of Pennsj lvauia, thut has been the
suljectof so much disenfsion, and has oncounteied
so much opposition, as thai which establishes the
office of County Superintendent. And uowr, after
the office has had eight year's trial, whpn its fruit*
are visible in the Improvement ot schools every
where throughout the State, when they liavo fully
convinced candid observers of its usefulness and
necessity, there are still those who regard it us a
useless, or rather as a cumbrous part of the system.
It should he roraerahered, however, th.it the offi
cer t hut performing the duties or joined upon him
bylaw, aud-tbat before the law x-a - eii tbeie must
hive been a mcesiify w,,ich prodde d it. The ne
cessiiy here arose out of lbs detects ut t.oe School
Syst'"n prior to 1*54
• 'The Syrtern hen had gradually extended itself
through .ul tlie State, and the people were gstting
acrust' mr'd to tl. • preseoeo and in w iraing forms
of u pautlc system or' b ucti< n much good war
accomplished lu some localities, and the foun
dation "as P. id, ou which to securely build tu
alter years. But aside, from tins, the fruits produ
ced tcl' far ihr.rt of publia expectat ou; the poor
were not tnught nor were the arts and sciences pro
moted; tn the truo seose of thst admirable injunc- |
tden.orst coirteow.'jted by the C'nsllltttrin. la J
Freedom of Thonght and Opinion.
BEDFORD,PA., FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 24, 1863.
other States, of the Union, and fn HMDJT of tha
countries of Europe, education was at the same
time advancing at a prodigious rate. It was the
pride au i boast ol their people, and menus wore set
apart with munifljiunt lilieralily for the support of
com.ticn schools. Public opinion wsa keenly alive
to their importance, and an active spirit was every
where abroad." In view of these facts, and of the
immense phys'cal resources ol Pennsylvania, was
it just to her 000,000 children to neglect any muans
th it would assist in removing the defecta from her
School System by which alone her true greatness
rau be developed and maintained!
••The must serious evils to be mentioned in this
connection were, organic defects in the structure
of the system;—consequent irregularities and mal
administration in its local affairs, aud a pervading
apathy or prejudice toward thu system in the pub
lic mind. Tb;re was gross carelessness ia the em
ployment of teachers: no suitable agency for their
examination and improvement, or for the proper
supervision aim grading of the schools; neither wa
there sufficient accountability on tho part of the
flnauci.il officers of the district, wlio not (Infrequent
ly subjected the School Department to imposition,
or wholly neglected to perloim their duty. Tie
remedy these, and other evils that existed, was the
object in establishing the County Superintendence
which is the great feature <>f the act of 1854. Thw
principal duties of the office are, to examine the
teacxers; to visit thu school, aud to bold insulates.
Let us inquire then, is it necessary that these du
ties be performed, aud, is u County Superintendent
tho proper officer to perform them J
1. Examining aud grading the teachers are the
only effectual means to protect the people against
the 'mposiiiona ol the incompetent and unworthy,
nnd to ascertain the teal merits of the well quali
fied and skilful. 1 his ia true in all professions and
occupations. The lawyer, the physician, are each
, ex imintd before they are permitted to practice their
professions. Wbei'Ve previous prepare!ions on
the part ot the apphenut lias boca necessary he ia
examined before he is permitted to eater upen his
work. Should teaching, then. Da made as excep
tion ? Tho work ol trainiug immortal minds ia one
of paramount impoitauce; one which we should
especially guard ag > nat the intrusion of unskillful
and incompetent U> orors, by having their qnilifloa
tions thoroughly tested by a competent officer.—
That the examination ol toacbers is necessary, is a
trutli so manifest aud so generally admitted, that
an attempt to prove It wonld be wholly useless. It
remains to be sueu under this Load, then, whether
a County Superinteudent Is the propet officer for
this work.
Wo trequently hear the proposition urged that
(this duty) might he performed by the School Di
rectors ot by .. member ot one of the learned pro
fi ssiona. But to this there would be many objec
tions.
First, as to Directors; The ordinary duties of
their office are such as do not require any superior
learning. In the rural districts we seldom find one
among them, who professes tbe qualiHcationa new
required by a teacher; and how can those, who
themselves have not a tburaugb knowledge of the
branches to he taught, correctly estimate tbe abil
ities of ethers to teach them t Beyond n certain
limit there wouid, to thedi. be no dtflerfnee iTebtt
lty among tbe applicants, except, perhaps that tboae
who cau beat succeed in recommeuding themselves,
by a fluency of aorde, might be considered tbe
teachers of superior sttainmeiits.
Second, ee to professional men: The time of min
isters, physicians, and lawyers ie nearly, if not
quite all required iu tbeir own professional duties.
Comparatively few of them have ever made
Commou Schools a subject of thought or investi
gation. Th>y have generally been educated at the
College or th- University; hence e majority o' them
do not mi.) understand the wants of the common
school; they caouot visit it often to see its prac
tical operation; they may understand what is to be
taught, hut uot how it. is to be taught. Theory and
Pructice, those important features in the qualifica
tion ola teacher, cau seldom be conectly estimated
by them. Tiny are unacquainted with tbe mode
and bunion of open lion in teaching; and there
fore cannot feel that sympathy tor the teacher, and
give that litis and eoergy to his labor which a Couu
ty Superintendent can led aud give, who has him
self struggled slowly up mrnugh the irksome toil
of the acnou: room to the position he now occu
pies, and who h.,s made the Common Schools their
ol ject aud their wants uis principal subject ot
thought. Besides, m. n, when out of their own so- .
customed sphere of duty, do not feels responsi
bility fur their actions, so much aa thoso do who
are performing the duties of their own office, A
physician, for example, may care tittle how loosely
lie conducts a teacher's examination, and vet feel
liuußcll' accountable for every step lie takes in his
own professional duties, where he is uware that
neglect or carelessness on his pari would injure his
reputation tor skill in his chosen profession. To
lie really beneficial, the tests must be thorough aud
impartial. The examiner must he awnre of the im
portance of tiis actions, and the responsibility rest
ing upon him as an officer under ibo law. lienco
arises the necessity that a special officer he desig
nated by law to perform this work Out Comity
Superintendents, it is true, are frequently accused
of being partial; aud undouiitedly tliey sometimes
err as men do in every relation of life. But liuw
much more subject to partiality must the local ex
aminers he who dwell immediately among tbe ap
plicants, witli many ot wuoin they may be connec
ted by the tiesol family relationship, or by business
interests.
Want of a unifom standard Of qualifications
throughout lho ( conuty is, however, the most serious
objection to be mentioned in connection with this
method. The fast history of the System show#
that when the local offioets faithfully performed
this duty "rejected teachers would repair to some
neighboring district In which a lower standard ob
tained, and readily secure employment at xverage
wages, to the great discredit and injury of the pro.
fen-ion and the System." A few disiricts perhaps
secured good teachers, while others withftuoie care
less directors were doubly imposed upon by aspi
rants Ueckiug thither, iixamiuations were indeed
lieid but the power for ciiecting goo(l results was
paralyzed. The County Stipetintendency presents
these evils by subjecting all the teachers in the coun
ty to the same lest. But it is capable ut doing more
than merely this. Through it a uniform standard
can eventually be established throughout the State;
sud the advance which has been made toward Ibis
end timing the p6t few years plainly indicates that
at DO distant day a broad line ul distinction will be
drawn between tliecoiiiimtenl and the incompetent
teachers, which will cause the usefulness of the for
mer to be everywhere eqn illy appreciated, and pro
vent tho latter from ever afterward imposing them
selves upou any community.
The visitation of the Schools. In the perform
ance of this duty the Couuty Superinteudent comes
in direct coutuct with the schools, and labois Imme
diately among tho people. Those who take uo in
terest in examinations, who do not see him lsioir
in the liißtituie, and who are not fully aware of bi
many other duties, suppose this to be lb'' great ob
ject to be accomplished, and frequently do we hear
it said that no efficacy is derived from it. Some
limes the result is not direct and obvious, ami, a*
indirect results and influences are not taken into
oLsidcraltuu tec cilia: is decried as oue that is use
less.
The oljccts of Traitutlou and inspoctioD, as sta
t.d by the State Knporthtenoeot, are ae follows: "To
obtaiu the aisristica as to uouae, turnituro, teacher,
&c. 2. To give such direclten In the art of teach
ing uud in the methods thereof in each school, as
shall bo deemed expedient, eo that each ucbool may
he equal to the grade for which it waa established.
8. To see thai the schools are open and that the
branches enjoined by law, together with such others
as the Directors may bare required, aro taught. 4.
To fee that this is done by competent teach ere; or
otherwise to report the fact to tho School Depart
ment, b- To enable bitasulf froiu personal inspec
tion and oi nervation of tb* uocber at work in tbo
school, to ascertain his exact atauding in tbu art or
practice of teaching, so as to give him his duo
number in the certificate, fi. To enable him to
state to tbo proper Directors, the condition ol tbo
school and Mm causes of the success or failure of
tbo teacber, so tbat lb* good teacher may be appre
ciated and sustained, and tho bad school improved.
Hit) mm (UtciOMl of those objects is • sufficient
proof, of tbeir importance and the utility of the
work. The obuioiog ut the statistics ia of itself
ample justification for tboae brief visit a that are paid
in (be large cuuutiea, or where the ichool tern ia
very abort. Tbejr are required for the Superintend
ent's own annuel report, anil ere aa oecesaary iu
lormatMo lor tbe people and the legislature, aa iu
ilespeusabie to au enlightened administration of the
school system, aa the statistics of tbO wealth, pop
ulation, ooDdition, progreaa aod wanta of e country
are to the statesmen, to aneble him to remedy whet
bae been impolitic io elate affaire (luring the pint,
and to aee what policy the waste of the country will
require in tbe fnture.
Again | no on* else baa to ample means for ob
taining the beat methods of iualincliou and impart
ing tneai again in tbe school tie viaiia. In hi* round
of visitation through the County be finds teach era
of (liferent gredee, from tbe beat to tbe moat in
ierioi. He meets with differant method a of instruc
tion; be discerue which err successful aud which
are net ; being himself a precunei teacher, he can
discriminate between them aod decida which ahould
lie generally adopted, aud wfcicb ahould tie diacard
ed. He enters few schools, perhaps, in whieh ho
does not oulice aontn feeturss ia the mode of pro
ceeding, which meet hie approval, whilo, at the seme
time there may he other features quite objections
bie. He iucitea tbe teacher to persevere ie the
former, aud takes note of them ea iustructlon which
may tie applied to the want of a neighboring echool,
aud instead ol what are defective, be suggests tbe
adoption of such other modee, ea he by the help of
bia >purienoe ia teaching and observation in vis
iting way deem expedient. It baa however in some
extreme causes been necessary for County Super
intendents to do more than to merely suggest.—
They have sometimes felt it their duty to taka the
school of e Very incompetent toucher in charge lor
a abort period, initialing him in the rudiaaeots of
teaching and debool Government. Directors end
oven parents Vet) frequently leave the duty of via
iliog schools eulirely unperformed. When this ia
tbe fact tbe Educational iutereata ol the district
would be almost wholly neglected Were it not lor
tbe visits of the Superintendent, to draw tbe
attention of tbe people to tbe subject, and to im
press its importance upon toe tuiudg of teachers,
pupils and parents.
Faithful and regular visitation, and reporting oi
the actual condition of tbe schools, are tbe means
that will draw eoottuoally such official and public
attention to tbeir abort comings and failures, as
must speedily produce a reform. These officers
wis, are uow iravetwiug the State are the pioneers
. •Mprcvcmtult, taay act aa' living laiaatnn tries, to
bring up the public sentiment to the required stand
point. Tbe reeuita of visitation thus far may he
noticed, First, iu tbe iocreaae in uniformity of text
books and improvement in classification. Tbe
method of learning the pupils separately with near
ly as many different kinds of books aa there are pu
pils ID the school has beeu aet aside, aod iostead of
i( we have classified achoula and mure systematic
methods of instruction. Second, la improvement
iu school bouses suit furniture. This has beeu so
rapid and extensive during tbe past lew years, that
to be admitted it need only he' mentioned, the "si.
must total neglect ol proper attention to tempera
ture, light, ventilation, furniture, apparatus ami
sut'ouudings of the school room," which formerly
prevailed iu many districts, indicated a condition
of schools that were hut s melancholy burlesque
upon Ihe cause ol popular educi'.ion. The greater
degree of comfort and facilities for instruction,
which pupils and teachers now enjoy, is of itself
siillicieut justification (oc the cffi i.d inspection of
ihe schools. Third, ExpecUtiou* of these visits
stimulate the pupils to diiligeuco ami obedience, and
very frequently reatraiu them from ill conduct in
school. Fouttb, l'bcy conclude the examination
of tbe teacber by ascertaining bis exact standing in
the practice of teaching, which is Indeed, the most
import tot part of his qualifications, as it is well
known that many good scholars fail iu the practical
operations of the school room. A laudable ambi
tion is thus excited among the teachers who know
that they will b graded according to their merits,
by cue who, being "a mau of scientific atd literary
uUaiunjeiits, suit of experience in tho art of teach
ing," is supposed to he able to discover any falla
cies of supeiflcial instruction ; and hence, that to
make their tuelUods appear successful to Idm they
must make them sufficiently thorough to tueiit suc
cess. One of the most serious evils against which
the friends of education must contend is supeifici
ality- Jl is iu many respects more to he shunt ed
tluin ignorance itself. Yet how frequently is the at
tuuipt made iu our schools to pass it for thorungli
traiuing. llunce tho necessity that they bo visited
by a thoroughly eduuated officer to detect and ex
pose this evil wlierovel it is found, ills visits are
very often necessarily short it i true, and his time
for observations limited ; but the practiced officer
soou becomes au expert in the matter of inspec
tion, and a very few minutes disclose very much
of the methods and fitness of tbe teacher, and tbe
order and condition of the school.
8. Holding Intitule, "Institutes sre conventions
of teachers for the purpose of mutual iuipiovenient
in the science and art of teaching, anil are among
tbe moat simple, inexpensive aud efficient means of
improving the condition of our common schools."
That they are of immense advantages is so evi
dent that all admit it, and may thus he briefly no
ticed; 1. Teachers by assembling together, are led
to judge of their own acquirements, by the light of
a true standard. They "compare notes," and each
cue finds wherein he ia yet wantiug. They discuss
the laws of mental progress, the greatness ot their
work; and thus they are led to see the responsibil
ity of their office, and to put lortli the necessary
meant' to become teachers indeed. 2. They discuss
different methods of instruction , so that thoae
whiah conform most nearly with tho laws ol men
tal progiess can besought out and adopted. 8.
Bach one cau gather a licb feast of iuvaluablo
knowledge from the stock el experience which all
unite iu bringing together. Tills is especially im
portant to tbe young ; tor iu the pur-uA, of such
knowledge, by experimenting in the serwl, many
hitudreds have blundered and tailed, 4. They eau
iustruct each other iu the branches they teach, aod
furnish aid iu particular cases ol doubt or difficulty.
"But if the Infinonce ceased here, t!io argument in
theia favor would be much of its real force- Such,
however, is not !be fact nor is it possible that it
should be. The relation of tbe school to tho teach
et is truly tbwt of the stream to tito fountain, bunco
to suy that the funnier must share in all tbe advan
tages secured by the latter is to slate hut a self-ev
ident truth.
"Stvurl years ago the Idea or holding teachers'
meetings was not tliougiu uf, lud sueu a proceeding
on the part ot the teachers ttuehi liavo q'cu re
garded sheer nonsei ae. But, a new era bus dawued
i-d np () n the fducUiorul world. New and netter I
deu tiaa# gaiued the usceudrucy. The C"uuty Su
psrmunyeucy has wrought a radical change. Va
rious waa the moans ibiought which ( lhese ( Qi"ora
brought about the reform. Tin.}' portrayed and ur
ged tde importance of district Institutes to direct
ors and people. T'bey adopted a eyateui by which
those teachers who attended them sod those who
WHOLE NUMBER, 3059
VOL., 6 NO 38.
did not, were reported, and marked accordingly
in tha theory of teaching. But chiefly, they crea
ted a necessity and ambition for improvement a
mong the teachers, who now began to see that
something more was required of them thanthemere
daily routine of the school, and that to retain their
position they must he constantly improving them
selves' Ttiey knew also, that by united effort more
could bo accomplished thaa sinale-iiandeit; hence
the establishment of these valuable auxiliaries,
which can justly he claimed as one of the legitimate
results of this office."
i The County Institute lg mors immtdiately under
tiie personal conttol ot the Super iuteodent. To rou
j conduct it has made one of tbo duties of the office,
ami it is certain that no one else could so appropri
ately perlorm it' Through tho examination and
visitation be beeomea acquainted with all the teach
era of the county, they look to biui tor ccuusel aud
encowragemewt, and through the relation he aus
leioa to them, he becomes the moat appropriate
persot to assemble tbeiu together in council. He
is the bead of the system io the Couutv; and as
suck ia tha iead'tig educational moves, ia the
agitation of aii retoiiua— the aruuttr of tho public
rniad to comprehend tha imurovement of univers
al education. ''Bo obstacle to the progress of free
schools ia half so formidakd-t as tho profound apa
thy aud iudiffeivuce of the people. Generally ii
tney rouse at ail it ia but to flud fault with the
wu-de aupmstructure of the system aud still more
fault w ub all these that are striving to their utmost
to make our common acboola what they sbu Id be,
and what our school laws intended to have them.—
Logic the moat couviuciug, learning the most pro
found, eloquence the most captivating, will nil be
lost upan those who from indifference do not roe
the O'-cessity aud real value ot tha niea-ures prnpn
poaed for the advancement of education, but let
the vastoeva of the subject be clearly seen, end tiie
importance to the community felt,and men will act,"
Let ths truth he presented in its truu color; hit the
relation of intelligence and virtue to tbo welfare of
the aouutry he discussed in council and pointed out;
let the Teachsra' Institute he maintained, (or it
boa been truly denominated the great lever In the
bands of the County Superintendent, to lift the
School system from the dead level of apathy and
imiiffereiict, tha moat effectual and powerful agen
cy at hia command, to leacli and assure puulic opin
ion, vivil'y the profession, and energize the admin
istration of the system.
But besides these thrae leading duties and the re
sult* of their performance, tho county Superinten
dent accomplishes other a of scarce lest importance.
1. He diatributts all the necessary blanks, so
that teachers anil directors may conveniently and
accurately report the workings of the schools io
each diairtct
2. He gathers all the statistics that are essential
to a liealloy system, atul 10 ait iffectiro ndmin is tril
lion thereof
S• lie signs sod vouches for all reports of dis
trict secretaries and thus secures the Department
against inquisition. The insufficient accountability
of tlw financial officers of the districts, was one oi
the most serious defeats iu ihe system prior to 1854
The former Supenhteudeut, Mr. 11. C- Hickok,
(from whom we have already quoted,) reports that
ouing without local agents, tbe School Derailment
could not detect sod prevent impositions, in couse
queues of which the State appropriation has some
times beeu obtained upon fraudulent vouchers by
persons bsvinguo otficiulcounection wiibthe schools.
Iu other instances, the money when received by the
rightful parties, has been applied to the township
roads, aud the tax duplicates withdrawn no lax col
lected, and no schools opened, or teachers em
ployed. District School moneys were used by
collectors aud treasurers to 'shard paper' or specu
late iu cattle ot lumber, or squandered by directors
in imprudent conducts with themselves, or in collu
sicu with otheis to build or repair school bons s,
at exliorhitsntpriees, while the unfortunate teachers
the "dishonored school ordlrs" wore hawked about
the district, in fruitless scutch of payment. There
humiliating instances are exceptions tothe proverb
ial honesty of our people; hut tbeir statement is
necessary to oxpiuin aud justify the measures ol
reform which the legislature has sanctioned.—
The necessity of this office, or souiu similar agen
cy, is evident. The State is divided into counties,
and these again into districts, ffir the sole puipose
of insuring the efficient wonting the laws by buy ing
each link of officers completely from those ot the
township to the chief executive. But it would
be us reasonable "to expect the successful opera
tions of the State Government wittiout county, as
well as Statu and township officers as to bu id up
and sustain sur noble school system without every
jink in tne chain of executive and supervisory of
ficers complete and properly adjusted." No ob
jections are urged against county officers, for this
necessity has long besu teitand knows; but this *is
not interior in oharacter aud importance to any oth
ers, aod the labor, care, anxiety, personal exposure,
aud official expenses, arc much greater."
• •This office, although now hero, lmd linen tried
elsewhere with tho most sti iking and heniflcial re
sults, in New York, especially, an Inslitution quite
similar iu design and the natuio of lis duties, had
done more to advance the cause oi education, du
ring the period it was permitted to exist, then all
other causes combined. And when through au un
clean alliance with pilitica, and other interests, the
office was abolished, it was regarded as the ffrst
retrograde step in the history of her common
schools So severely was this blow felt, however,
that in I8f)6 the New York Legislature restored the
office, under the title of "Assembly Dirtriet School
Commissioner," with equal zed hut reduced territo
ry, (hat if adopted in i'etinsylvaois, would give us
one hundred Superintendents iusteud of sixty .
This single historical fact is worth volumes ol ah-j
slract arguments.
It is impossible to notice nil the advantages in a
report of this kind. Wl.at has already been shown
is, however, sufficient juatifitiatioll lor its establish
ment, as well as for the' amount ot salary appropri
ted to it. Nevertheless, many who consider it iu a
mere duller and cent point of viw, oppose it on
the ground ttiat the salary is too large. But it
should ho borne iu miud that talents and acquire
ments ot the highest order, and the most untiring
zeal und labor, are required to discharge the impor
tant and onerous duties of this office; nnd men of
such qualifications can not ho indicted to lake the
responsibilities upon themselves for a smaller sala
ry than they can secure io otlief positions, requi
ring less labor anxiety and personal exposure on
their past in connection with this, it may be
proper to notice, as to how and where the Couuty
SuperiuleuJeut's salary os obtained. Itisgeuor
aijy suppossd that it is deducted from the State
oppropriitiou for bis own county, such, howev
er, is not the fact as will be seen llrom tbe Hiuteniedt
Of tbeStutu Superintendent following:
The salary oi each coutny superintendent is not
deducted from the amount oi State appropria
tion, payable to his own county. In laci the
counties, as such, are not known in tbe Depart
ment in the distribution of Slate appropriation
which is paid directly to the warmers, "d not
to the counties. From ibe very first year ol the
office, the aggregate ainonut ot the salaries ol
ail county Superintendents in the Stale, lias been
deducted from the whole amount
of the appropriation payable to all the districts,
and the balance divided amongst the duhitte in
proportion to their taxable*. For iustan< e, if the
aggregate ot the aslalies lb sßo.o'lo, and Ihe appro
pi intion $280,0b0, the udause furdis.ribuliuu would
be $260,000.
"Hencefurther it is, fbat a lair and generous sal
ary to tire Couuty Superintendent does not materi
ally diminish tbe amount of the sppropiiatlon com
ing to tbe county making it wbih) soy saving vtlVc-
Rates of SUttXTtialna.
Otoe Square, thfe. w'eeH'brltss. . . . . . . STO
: Ona Square, each additional inaart ion leas
than three months. / . , %s
! 3 MONTHS. 6 JSCKTHS. 1 riU
One square •.,. ~ V $3 00 *4 00 f 0
Twoaqoiree ........ 00 509 900
Three squares 300 700 13 QO
i Column . . 600 900 .16 0*
{Column 800 19 00 '2O 00
Column 13 00 18 00 NOO
One Column 19 00 30 00 '3O 00
Administrators' andExecutora' notices s3.sQ,Au
uitors' notices $1.30, if under 10 lines, $9.00 if
more than a square and lets than 30 lines. Kauapw,
21.33, if but oiffe head it advertised, 33 cents foe
every additional head. ■
The space occupied by ten lines of this sire pi
type counts one square. All fractions of a square
under five lines will be measured as a half equate
end all over five lines ae a lull sqtare. All legs
dveriise menta will be charged to the person hajjd
iue them in.
ted by a small salary accrue! to the benefit nf the
whole elate and not to that of the county itself."
But neither the amount of salary, nor the mode
or place of obtaining it, should be made a regie*
for opposition to the office itself, when It ia found
that it Is one of usefulness snd importance. From
the imp -Mect view of the office and its manner of
operation, which has been given, it will be aoen tip!
it is cue of vast consequence in completing the effi
ciency of the School System. None of its ddties
can be neglected or slightly performed without Otfr
riment to all concerned. Every year of lust tiwNt
iu such negligence is a year oi loss to mora than.
(iOO.OOO cliildien of the State, and lost Influence (of
good upon the future by this vast multitude. It
may be that full trial will sbow the propriety of ad
ditions oi change in detail; but this can only be de
termined by actual experiment. Wherever the of
fice has been fully tested, it has abundantly vindi
cated itself." That the condition of schools fit
much better now, than it was eight years ago is too
evident to he unnoticed by the most casual obser
ver; and "If—after comparing the teachers snd
schools of former time, before the present system
was adopted, with those of the present we are fully
convinced that a great change nag taken place for
the better, and are persuaded :bnt the Superfnteu
dency has been insmminnh 1 in bringing about ibis
result, or has assisted iu doing so, let us stand firm
ly by the system, uphold and strengthen it, until
we can substitute a better one," if, indeed, it la
possible to substitute one that will uccotupl iah,more
for the cause that is uppermost in the heart of evfe
ry true patriot nnd Christian philanthropist.
HENRY CLAY.
Who can doubt that if Ilcnry Clay wero
li\ ing now. he would be standing side by aide
with John J. Crittenden, Geo. D. l'rcntice,
and others of his wannest friends, in the ranks
of the Democracy ? If there are any who be
lieve otherwise, let them read the fallowing
extract from his speech delivered at Frankford,
Ky., on the 15th of November, 1860:
"I may be asked, as I have been asked, wheth
er I cowld consent to a dissolution of the
Union. I answer, NKVEK 1 NEVEB! NEVER!
• •••••
'•lf the agitation in regard to the Fugitive
Slave Law should continue and increase, and
become alarming, it will lead to the formation
of two new parties; one for the Union and the
other against Union. * * *
And tbo platform of the Union, the Constitution
and the Enforcement of the laws I And it should
l)c necessary to form such a party, and if it
should bo accordingly formed, I announce my
self m thus place a member of that party, whatever
may be Us component elements"
THE NEGRO Bin..—The bill to prevent ne
groes from coming into the State has passed
the House. Its provisions are few and simple,
and meet the views ot a large majority of the
people of Pennsylvania. Of course all the Ab
olitionists opposed the bill, and some few dod
ged ; but the dodgo will avail them nothing.—
In order to avoid going on the record, the Sen
ate Committee on Federal Relations will proba
bly withhold the bill, but a vote on a motion to
discharge the committee from the further con
sideration of the subject will be equivalent to a
direct vote. — Tlan-isburg Patriot.
AN Abolitionist, the other day, in conversa
tion, excused his party friends for their terrible
corruptions, on the ground that "after Mr. Lin
coln's term expired, it would be so long ontil
they got a chance at the public crib again, that
it was only fair they should take their share of
plunder when they could get it." Whether the
reasoning is souud or false it certainly looks as
if such are the principles upon which they are
acting.
O~A raptuous poet thus describes the man
ner of obtaining a kiss. As the Hottentot gen
tleman says at the Aquarial Garden, 'lt isgoot.'
First, grasp with haste around the waist, and
hug her tight to thee; and then sWll say—
'Do go away—do, won't youlet me be !' Then,
oh'what bliss but never miss so good a chunoe
as that; their*mnke a dash, as quick as flash,
—Harriet, hold my hat!
GTlt is said that a single firm in the city at
New Yoft has u Government contract for
500,000 handcuffit, of tho most approved pat
tern-perfect beautiee-to facilitate the execution
of the Conscription law.
THE Abolitionists who claim to possess ail
the patriotism in the country, might learn a
useful lesson by reading the parable of the
Pharisee and the Publican.
CSrA little boy returning from the Sunday
school, said to his mother, "Ma, lint there a
kitten-chism for little boys t This cat-ecbism
is too hard!"
GfWhftt arc you writing such a big hand
for, Pat?
Why, you see my grandmother's dafeand I'm
writing a loud letter to her.
GrGreeley's physicians say ho will never
have another brain fever. Keason; there is
nothing left to sustain the disease.
-Pcace Resolutions passed the House of Re
presentatives of New Jersey on tho I.Bth inst.,
by a vote of yeas 88, nays 18, after a veiy an
imated discussion.
f-y A letter from Pbrt Royal says that the
number of freed slaves in that department is
nearly seventeen thousand.
eyPersona often lack courage te appear as
good as tbey really are.
srTho man who minds his ow business has
obtained steady employment.
SVSomc that smile have in their heart* nQ
lions of mischief.
0-"Union League" is the tenth party MM
of tho "followers of John Brown."
Cnn U C the . in Union League!