tice demands that every dollar taken from the school fund income for any other purposes than those specified in section 2 article X of the Constitution, should be refunded. There are sound reasons of public policy for such a step, that will readily occur to those who realize the importance of our system of public schools. In all legislation affecting our educational institutions, the largest liberality is the wisest statesmanship. With a population rapidly increasing, and a school fund that has nearly reached its limit; with a large territory yet to be settled by those who are not instructed in our language or laws, we cannot afford to do or suffer to be done anything that shall retard or hinder the development of our system of common schools. The attention of the Legislature is earnestly called to this subject. COUNTY SUPERINTENDENCY. The improvement in methods of instruction that may be noticed in many of the schools of the state, is mainly due to the efficient efforts of county superintendents. These officers have generally co-operated with this department in all measures calculated to advance the interests of education. In the few cases where dissatisfaction exists in regard to the manner in which the duties of the office have been discharged, it will be found that there has been less care exercised in the selection of officers than the importance of the office demands. The system ought not to be condemned on account of mistakes made by those who administer it. It cancannot be denied, that in a few instances, the persons selected as county superintendents have shown little interest in the position, or fitness for it; but in every county in the state men may be found, if they are sought, who will do their duty intelligently, unselfishly and efficiently. It may be that these men cannot always be found at a political caucus, but this ought not to be an insurmountable objection to their nomination or election. The salaries at present paid to these officers, are with a few exceptions, too small to secure the talent and ability which they ought to possess. As the minimum salary fixed by the legislature has great influence in determining the amount actually paid, and as the law limiting the compensation of these officers was passed six years ago, a change of the law so as to encourage the payment of larger salaries, and to provide for the printing, etc., necessary to a proper discharge of the duties of the office, is recommended. It would also seem to be proper, that the county superintendent should have an office room furnished him at the county seat, where the records of his office shall be kept, and where he may be found at convenient times by those who have business to do with him. The following is a list of the names of County Superintendents of Schools in office on the 1st day of January, 1867: Green Lake,. A. A. Spencer,. C. Mortimer Treat,. A meeting of County and City Superintendents was held at Portage City, August 29th, 1866. The following is a condensed report of the proceedings. The Convention was called to order at 10 o'clock A. M. Supt. Cundall moved that Mr. McMynn be the permanent chairman, which was carried. Supt. Stewart, of Waukesha, was then elected secretary, and Supt. Rosenkrans, of Columbia, assistant secretary. On motion, the secretaries were constituted a financial committee. The chairman then addressed the Convention as follows: GENTLEMEN:-The number of County Superintendents here assembled, is a guarantee, that the great interest they are appointed to guard, is receiving attention, and we may hope that by a comparison of views and an interchange of opinions, we may render our official action beneficial to the people. We could scarcely desire to see perfect uniformity of action. Our social condition does not demand, and will not tolerate a system that is perfectly mechanical. Whatever plans we may devise, or whatever method we may pursue, there must be left room for the play of conflicting opinions, and individual characteristics. With us, government is made for the people and by the people. It is the instrument with which they accomplish their will. It must always be subordinate to the happiness of those who create it. We should keep in sight the actual condition of the community for which we legislate, for laws adapted to one people and a particular time, are quite unfitted to another people and a different time. In general, the more comprehensive and complete we render our methods, the greater the number of exceptions that fall under them, hence the necessity for prudence, skill and charity, in the administration of educational affairs. There are various topics, exciting more or less interest at this time, that will naturally claim your attention. Some are of special importance to us as citizens and school officers of this State, and others are more general in their nature.. Among the subjects of special interest to those here assembled, may be mentioned: 1. School Statistics and Records.-The necessity for uniformity, correctness and promptness, in the collection of statistics, is obvious to all. But this, under existing circumstances, is unattained, and perhaps unattainable. The starting point is the school. If the teacher's register is not adapted to the purpose for which it is designed, our statistics are unreliable and comparatively useless. Among the subjects, then, deserving your consideration, will be found school records, and particularly the teacher's register. In connection with this subject may be considered the propriety of having the state furnish all blanks used by school officers and teachers in the discharge of their official duties. 2 A System of monthly reports complete, extending from the teacher to the State Superintendent, through the County Superintendent, is very desirable, but not yet perhaps attainable. The publication of an abstract of such reports for each county, by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, would exert a powerful influence on our educational interests. 3. The Examination of Teachers.-Heretofore, this examination has been principally a written one, and conducted by the County Superintendent alone. It may be proper to consider whether it may not be somewhat popularized. If it should be made to partake more of an oral character, and the Superintendent should associate with him, those who are fitted by character and attainments, in conducting it, there would obviously arise certain advantages that are not now in all cases secured. The method of conducting that part of the examination relating to “* Theory and Practice of teaching," a subject now embraced in the requirements of a third grade certificate, is deserving of attention at this time. 4. The Means of Interesting the People in Education.-That a greater interest in our schools is now felt than ever before, will not, perhaps, be doubted, but much of this interest is unintelligent. The feeling is right, but it must be guided by reason and the results of experience. The distribution of circulars and educational tracts, the judicious use of the newspapers, and addresses to the people from time to time, are the well tried and efficient agencies that should be used with tenfold vigor in time to come. 6. A Course of Study for our Common Schools.—Some uniformity in the studies pursued, is practicable and very desirable. The amount and kind of oral instruction to be given, the subjects that should be studied, the relative importance of the dif ferent branches, and the period when scholars can profitably commence the study of the different branches of the school course, these are all of more or less importance, and deserve your consideration. Among the subjects of a more general character may be mentioned: 1. The Qualifications that should be possessed in order to secure admission to our Normal Schools.It is the intention of the Board of Regents of Normal Schools, to open the school located at Platteville, immediately. It is, doubtless, their desire to extend the benefits of this, and the other schools they have established, as widely as possible. To prevent these schools from becoming academies instead of training-schools for teachers, will require care in their management. The influence that these schools shall exert, and the good they shall accomplish, will very much depend upon the sympathy you extend toward them, and the confidence you feel in them. Such suggestions in regard to their management, organization and scope, as your observation and experience fit you to make, would exert an influence on the action of the board controlling these institutions, favorable to the interests of our public schools. In connection with these schools, it is believed there may be held institutes from time to time, that shall tell favorably upon the character and attainments of our teachers, and it is believd that the legislature could, with great propriety, authorize the annual expenditure of a portion of the income of the normal school fund, in holding teachers' institutes until such time as schools are established in sufficient number to do the work, that for some time to come, the institute alone can perform. 2. A more Economical and Efficient System for the Management of our Public Schools. With little or no provision made for the education of those who need instruction beyond the studies merely elementary, the inquiry naturally arises, whether some change in our system that shall secure gradation and a more extended course of study for our country towns, may not be secured. This has been proposed in what is known as the township system. The subject is one deserving of attention. 3. Greater Attendance at school.-You need not to be reminded that thousands of our youth are growing up vicious and ignorant. How far laws may be made to aid us in removing an evil that is threatening the public weal, is a matter of practical importance. You understand the temper of the people and nature of our institutions, and your opinion as to the practicability of legislation in connection with this matter, should and would have great weight. There are other subjects that will suggest themselves for your consideration. We have much to encourage us at this time. The public mind is receptive. Recent legislative action in this state has drawn toward us the attention of the whole country. The development of our normal school system must result in great good to all our educational interests. The reorganization of our state university, it is hoped, will secure the benefits that such an institution ought to confer upon the people. Our high schools, academies and colleges are making progress, and our educational future is more hopeful than ever before. Superintendent Alban suggested the appointment of a committee to whom should be referred the chairman's address, letters from the various superintendents, and general business, with instructions to report the assignment of the different subjects to suitable committees. Superintendent Rosenkrans moved the appointment of such committee. Carried; and the chair named Superintendents Rosenkrans, Cundall, Alban, Stearns and Hoffman, as such committee. The reading of letters from superintendents in the hands of the chairman was called for. A number of letters were read, embodying valuable suggestions aad recommendations. The convention then took a recess. Convention was called to order. Superintendent Rosenkrans, from the business committee, reported the following partial assignment of subjects: On examination of teachers, Superintendent Hooker, and Prof. C. H. Allen of the normal school; on compensation of county superintendents, Superintendents Alban and Harris; on school houses and appendages, Superintendent Rosenkrans and Prof. C. H. Allen; on means of interesting the people, Superintendents Cundall and Hooker; on course of study for common schools, Prof. C. H. Allen and Superintendent Graves; on Saturday schools and the school month, Superintendents Palmer and Stearns. Superintendent McMynn then answered several questions which had been submitted to him. Adjourned till half-past two P. M. AFTERNOON SESSION. Roll was called. The Convention called to order by the chairman. State Superintendent answered several further questions proposed by superintendents. The general business committee then completed their report as follows: On school legislation, Superintendents Rosenkrans and Cundall; on teachers' certificates, Superintendents Bright and Crandall; on support of teachers' institutes, Superintendents McMynn and Hooker; on increased attendance of scholars, Superintendents Hoffman and Stearns. Report adopted. Superintendent STEARNS submitted a report of the committee on Saturday schools and the school month, as follows: SCHOOLS ON SATURDAYS, ETC. Your committee are of the opinion that schools on Saturdays should be discontinued, for the following reasons: 1st. Scholars need one day in the week to make preparations for their attendance during the remainder of the week. |