The Journal of Education---- Word to its Friends. It has been thought desirable that an educational paper be published in our State. The correctness of this opinion is not likely to be disputed. But why is such a paper desirable, but that it may be read by the people of the State, especially by the Teachers and other managers of educational interests? For four years it has been published, and, so far as it has been read, it has been greatly useful. But the number of its subscribers has ever been small. In 1855 it was 2,225, all told. Now, if the Journal is worth reading by one Teacher, it is worth reading by every Teacher in the State. This alone would give it a circulation of about 16,000. But suppose that one-fourth of these Teachers were subscribers, and then it would circulate 4,000 copies. Again, the School Commissioner publishes in the Journal his opinions and decisions upon questions arising under the school law; and he decides that all county auditors may subscribe for it, and that all township boards of education may order it for the clerk of the town and the clerk of each sub-district, and pay for it from the contingent fund raised in accordance with the 22d section of the school law. Compliance with this decision would give us 14,000 more. But reduce this number three-fourths, and we have 3,500. Again, there are not less than 1,500 persons in the State who, though not Teachers, auditors nor clerks, could easily be induced to subscribe for the Journal. See the result of these truth speaking figures: One-fourth of the Teachers in the State..... But reduce this number 4,000 3,500 1,500 9,000 one-half, and then we have 4,500. Shall we not at once secure this number? Ought the friends of the Journal to be satisfied with any number short of this? It would require that the list of last year be doubled. At present, (Jan. 28,) there are but 550 subscribers for 1856. We shall make what personal effort we can, but still must depend chiefly on the active friends of education throughout the State. In former years, a large portion of the subscribers have been obtained in the summer and fall. But for obvious reasons it is far preferable that they be secured at an early day in the year. We have been greatly encouraged by the tone of letters received from various parts of the State. The following is an extract of a letter from a correspondent in Montgomery county, and may be taken as a sample of many: "In regard to using my influence in favor of the Journal, you can rest assured of one thing, that though others may be more successful, I am fully resolved that no one shall work harder for the Journal than I will. Our county I think will do its duty nobly." The Journal of Education is the property of the "Ohio State Teachers' Association," and we are not authorized to offer premiums for subscribers. But we can do so at our own expense, if we see fit. And that all may be provoked to good works, we make the following offer: To the county which shall, on or before the 10th day of April next, furnish the largest number of subscribers, in proportion to its population, we will send an order on D. Appleton & Co. for $50 worth of books, to be the property of such person or persons as shall have secured these subscribers. To the next highest number, we will in the same way pay $30, and to the next $20. As the number is not positive, but in proportion to population, all counties have an equal chance. Educational News. It is usually expected that an educational periodical will not be made a newspaper. We have thought, however, that the Journal might be made more interesting and useful to many of its readers, by introducing with more than former prominence, this feature, so far as educational news is concerned. At present we must confine the subject to our own State. From every county, town and sub-district in Ohio, many eyes are turned to Columbus, watching to observe the action which shall be taken by the Legislature in regard to our school law. Petitions are coming up from various quarters, asking for the repeal or essential modification of many of its important features. Some "pray" for one thing, some for another; and in the aggregate, they ask that little or nothing of this law shall be suffered to remain. The following are the main points of objection with petitioners: 1. Township Boards of Education. They wish a return to the former plan of single districts. It is not our province, or purpose, to instruct the Legislators of Ohio in respect to their duty. But we must express the opinion that such a measure as is prayed for by petitioners, would be most unfortunate. In the older States the single district system is fast passing away and township boards are adopted in its stead. In the recent message of the Governor of New York the same change is urged. All enlightened opinion is deciding in favor of such boards. The cause of the dissatisfaction which has been excited on this point must soon cease. When our new law came into effect, there was a great necessity for new school buildings, and the erection of several in each township in the same year, drew heavily on the pockets of the people. But taxes for this purpose are annually diminishing, and in a short time more the work will have been done for a generation. 2. The provision for libraries and apparatus. Great objection has been made to this feature of the law. That mistakes have been made by certain county auditors in the distribution of books and apparatus, which are adapted to produce disaffection, we are aware. But the Commissioner has taken measures to remedy this evil, and prevent its recurrence. A tax of one-tenth of one mill on the dollar is assessed for this purpose. A man who pays taxes on $1000 will pay one dime to this fund, and for that dime, he and his family will have the benefit of a library of most excellent selection, and of all needed school apparatus. We are advocates for retrenchment of expenses, in all appropriate ways; yet we cannot believe that the repeal of this section of the law is demanded by good policy or strict economy. 3. County Boards of Examiners. It is asked that township boards be substituted in their place. Every thing that will tend to reduce the grade of qualification demanded of Teachers, should be avoided as an evil of most ruinous nature. That such would be the effect of the change in question, none can doubt. It is the very object avowed by the petitioners. They complain that they cannot obtain Teachers for their schools on account of the strictness of the Examiners. But we did not need to journey to our State Capital to hear this complaint. Of the eighty examined in Lucas county, in the year 1855, seventy received certificates; some for 6, some for 12, some for 18, and some for 24 months. We were quite as liberal in granting certificates as our consciences would permit, and even more so in some instances. But when an applicant positively did not know any thing, we rejected him. But in every such instance, great offense was taken by interested parties. To illustrate, we will give a single example. At one of our meetings, a candidate presented himself for examination. We have neither time nor talent to describe his appearance, costume and manners. They were all, however, decidedly striking. He brought with him a letter of introduction from a "locle derectur," which conveyed to us the intelligence that "all the enhabitance is anxious to hev mr. —— kepe our scool this Winter and hoap your onable Body will be escy with him;" and more of the same sort. On Arithmetic, he was asked, what is an improper fraction? After folding his arms, fixing his eyes on the ceiling, and biting his lips, he replied, "thinks likely it's one that aint proper to have." After we had explained the thing, we requested him to reduce the fraction thirteen-fourths to a mixed number. After long effort he ascertained that it "amounts tu three hull ones." What will you do with the remaining fourth? was asked. Said he, "I'd let it go, it don't amount to much, any how." We passed to Geography, and inquired the boundaries of Ohio, and were informed that "hio is bounded by lake Erie and Vermont." We asked him to name the principal mountains of Asia. "Andes !" he quickly answered. When told that the Andes are in South America, he replied, "Yes, I know they start there, but don't they run down fur enough to cut acrost a corner of Asia?" We had no more questions to ask, and as we judged that there would be strong "constitutional objections" to running a mountain across the occan, as it might obstruct navigation, we declined granting him a certificate. But many were indignant that we would not let him "kepe scool,”-the Examiners were "stuck up tyrants," and so forth. 4. The School Commissioner-his office should be abolished unnecessary expense. -it is an Cut off its head, and the whole thing must die. This office is indispensable to the completeness of the system. And we do hope that the salary may be increased so as to bear some correspondence to the duties to be performed. If the Commissioner performs the duties which the law devolves on him, his traveling expenses alone, will amount to over half of his salary. If any ask as to the prospects of changes in the law, we can only say that the whole matter is in the hands of able and judicious Committees. What they will report, and what action will be had on their report, we know not. Our hopes, however, quite outweigh our fears. DEFIANCE. A correspondent writes us from Defiance as follows: "The Board of Education, and all the people here are united in the support of our schools, notwithstanding our heavy taxes. We employ five Teachers at a salary of $1725 per annum. We have had very liberal appropriations for apparatus, maps, charts, plates and cabinets, so that we now want little except suitable buildings, which our people have not yet been able to erect, but which we hope to see before long." For the purpose of increasing the efficiency of the operations of the Ohio State Teachers' Association, the undersigned agree to pay to the Treasurer of said Association one and one-half per centum on our respective salaries: said sum to be paid in advance in two semi-annual equal payments. COLUMBUS, Dec. 27, 1855. Lorin Andrews, Gambier, O.....$22 50 Miss N. R. Hart, Morrow......... $5.25 Anson Smyth, Toledo .......... M. F. Cowdery, Sandusky... A. D. Lord, Columbus John Hancock, Cincinnati M. D. Parker, ...... 18 22 50 ... 18 66 John B. Trevor, (paid $6) 12 James M. Ross, 15 13 50 ........... ...... W. Mitchell, Norwalk........ E. L. Carney, Canton ....... ....... R. Q. Beer, Ashland............................ A. J. Rickoff, Cincinnati 66 Montgomery Co. Teachers' Inst..$50 00 S. S. Cotton, Sandusky Preble Co........ .....do...... 50 00 James Elliott, Cincinnati.. Clinton Co................................do........ 40 00 S. M. Heslet, Portsmouth......... 5 00 Columbiana Co.........do...... 35 00 John Hancock, Cincinnati. Allen Co................ .....do...... 30 00 H. D. Lathrop, Gambier.......................... 5.00 Clermont Co..............................do........ 30 00 Jesse Markham, Plymouth........ 5 00 Highland Co............................. ...do...... 30 00 W. A. McKee, Coshocton.. 5 00 Richland Co..............................do........ 30 C0 James Marvin, Warren........... 5 00 Belmont Co... .....................................do...... 25 00 R. M. Merrill, Mansfield....... 5.00 Pickaway Co............do...... 25 00 Wm. Mitchell, Fredericktown..... Seneca ............................do.......... 25 00 I. S. Morris, Eaton...... Portage Co ..do...... 21 10 C. Nason, Cincinnati Hancock Co..............................do........ 21 00 John Ogden, Delaware... Warren Co................................do.......... 20 00 M. D. Parker, Cincinnati ......... Greene Co............................do.............. 15 00 D. C. Pearson, Columbus.. Madison Co.............................do............ 15 00 E. B. Pierce, Martin's Ferry....... Fayette Co................................do............ 4 00 J. H. Rolfe, Cincinnati.... Lorin Andrews, Gambier G. W. Batchelder, Zanesville..... 20 00 C. R. Shreve, Roscoe.............. 5 00 5.00 20 00 G. C. Smith, Columbus.. 20 00 J. W. Sutherland, Columbus...... 5 00 20 00 Citizens of Franklin, Warren Co.. 5 40 20 00 G. C. Woollard, Sandusky 5.00 5.00 5.00 500 5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 3 00 2.00 D. P. Mayhew, Columbus........ 20 00 J. J. Sadler, Rootstown.................................. A. H. Bailey, College Hill........ 10 00 Rec'd from Institutes...$466 10 J. A. Sloan, Batavia............. 10 00 of Jour. of Education..277 50 1 CO $1210 00 The foregoing is believed to be a correct statement of the sums received on the salary of the Agent, for the year ending Dec. 1854. M. F. COWDERY, Chairman of the Financial Committee. ABOU BEN ADHEM.-BY LEIGH HUNT. Abou Ben Adhem, (may his tribe increase!) "What writest thou?" The vision raised its head, Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord!" Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, The angel wrote and vanished. The next night It came again, with a great wakening light, And showed the names whom love of God had blest; And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest! Items. FALL OF WATER.-Fall of water (including snow melted) during the year 1855, at Perrysburg, Wood county, Ohio, as observed by F. Hollenbeck: The average yearly fall of water in the State of Ohio, for years past, as reported in Brocklesby's Elements of Meteorology is 36 inches. Messrs D. Appleton & Co. have, through their efficient and gentlemanly Agent, Mr. Hall, presented $100 worth of books to the library of the Hopedale Normal School. Who will follow so good an example, and confer a like favor on the S. W. Normal School at Lebanon? Rev. E. McKinney has resigned his place as Superintendent of the Public Schools of Hillsboro, and Mr. Isaac Sams, late Prof. of Languages in the Schools, and one of the best of Classical teachers, has been appointed Superintendent, at a salary of $750. CORRECTIONS.-Through some oversight which the present Editor can not explain, the name of Mr. S. M. Barber, Superintendent of the Schools in Ashland, was omitted in the list of members of the O. S. T. A., published in the January No. of the Journal. The name of Mr. E. G. Andrews, President of the Female College at Mansfield, should have appeared in the list of Members of the State Teachers' Association in the January No. instead of that of Mr. E. B. Andrews, of Washington co.; and the name of Mrs. M. E. Catlin, of Richland co., instead of that of Dr. W. C. Catlin, who renewed his membership in July last. A good number of Books, Pamphlets and Catalogues have found their way to our table, which shall receive due notice in the March Journal. |