DELAWARE.

Information respecting the schools of this State has been sought from both official and reliable private sources. The honorable secretary of the State replies that "the State of Delaware is unable to supply reports asked for." There appears to be an absence of any school supervision.

SCHOOL LAWS.

The peculiarity of the school laws prevailing in Delaware deserves especial notice. The present constitution of the State, framed in 1831, contains no provision for schools other than a brief reference in section 2 of Article VII, that some of the duties of the legislature are to provide "for establishing schools, and promoting arts and sciences." The school law adopted in the revised code of 1852 has since been substantially retained. No State or county supervision is provided for. Educational matters are left to "the school voters in each district." These voters are the persons qualified to vote for State representatives. They shall hold a stated meeting every year on the first Saturday of April, at two o'clock in the afternoon. Any number of voters is a quorum, and their acts valid. They elect a clerk and two commissioners "to constitute a school committee," and resolve by a majority of votes what sum shall be raised for a school house or a free school. If a majority of voters be "against a tax" the sum so resolved may be raised by subscription. The school committee are sworn, hold office one year, with the following duties:

1. Determine site of school-house.

2. Keep the school-house in furniture, fuel, and repair.

3. Provide a school as long as the money lasts. "Employ no teacher whom they shall not have just grounds to believe to be well qualified to teach reading, writing, arithmetic, and English grammar." School free to all white children over five.

4. Receive, collect, and apply moneys.

5. To appoint collectors for the district.

6. "To do all acts requisite for effecting the premises."

The last section of the law directs the governor yearly to appoint a superintendent of free schools in each county, who "shall receive no emolument but postage and traveling charges." His duties are defined to be corresponding, advising and supplying "forms to collect information and to report to the general assembly the state of the districts, and such matters as he shall deem proper.'

In 1855 the property of colored people was exempted by law from taxation for school purposes in the city of Wilmington. Colored people have petitioned the legislature to be taxed for and allowed free schools.

March 1, 1861, the following was passed:

"ACT for the benefit of free schools in the State of Delaware.

"SECTION 1. School committees in each school district must levy in April, in each district of New Castle County, $75; Kent, $50; Sussex, $30.

"SEC. 2. Majority of voters may vote a sum not to exceed $400, exclusive of the amount in section one.

"SEC. 3. Majority of voters may resolve to raise a sum not exceeding $500 for building or repairing school-house."

Notwithstanding the provisions of the law, it cannot be ascertained that any county superintendents of schools have been appointed.

The population of Delaware, June 1, 1870, was as follows: New Castle County, 63,523; Kent County, 29,823; Sussex County, 31,704-total, 125,050.

WILMINGTON.

The following is extracted from the annual report for 1869, of the Hon. Willard Hall, president of the board of education:

"After repeated and unsuccessful struggles, continuing for half a century, by a portion of the community who desire public schools, an act was passed by the general assembly, February 9, 1852, for the benefit of public schools in Wilmington.' Three months after this the first public school was established, and the number has since gradually increased until the present capacity was attained of accommodating about 3,000 scholars.

They commenced by employing male teachers, but, although successful in procuring teachers of superior ability, they learned by experience that female teachers were better, and they have, therefore, employed them exclusively for years, as principals and assistants, and both the government and instruction of the schools are reported better for the change."

The latest information received regarding the public schools of Wilmington is from Professor John C. Harkness, who, writing under date of October 24, 1870, gives the following statistics:

"The Board of Trade Report gives the value of real and personal pro

perty

The value of taxable property for schools is..

$40, 000, 000

$120,000

The existing school law was approved January 30, 1869. The law passed both houses by a large vote, and without an amendment being offered in either. On returning to his constituents nearly every member of the legislature became an advocate of the measure. Many of them, without distinction of party, are among its chief supporters. After it became a law no time was lost in putting it into operation. Before the members of the legislature had left for their homes steps were taken to initiate the work in every county. As soon as recommendations for boards of public instruction were received, as provided by law, the appointments were made. Many of the first appointees did not accept, and new selections had to be made. Where county superintendents had been appointed, and had qualified, organizations were speedily effected. In other cases temporary organizations were formed, and suitable persons were proposed to the governor for appointment to the superintendency. Then the boards organized. Boards of instruction have been appointed in all the counties but one. From this county no suggestions have been received on the subject. Organizations have been completed in twenty-six counties. Schools have been opened in an equal number. Eleven counties are wanting county superintendents, qualified and commissioned to act. Eight have not organized for want of these officers. The census returns have been received from twenty-six. The assessors in several have failed to take the census. There are over 250 schools in operation, having an attendance of over 7,500 pupils. Private schools have generally been merged in free schools. Their numbers have immediately increased. Some have doubled, others have quadrupled their attendance.