sides of the river, which frequently, at the time of the District meeting, is impassable.

SEC. 7 (second).—I see no propriety in the proviso. Our District Township purchased a building for a school house in Sub-District No. 1, and afterwards built a new school house in the same Sub-District, all from an equal tax upon the District. Why, then, if we sell the old house, should not the pay go into the common fund?

SEC. 10. When and where are the judges of the respective SubDistrict elections to meet to canvass the votes for the Director at large? Why not have the Director at large elected at the meeting of the District Township, and let it be understood that he is to be President of the Board of Directors?

SEC. 17.-It appears to me that this section places the District Township too much in the power of a Sub-District. If a Sub-District asks for money to build a house, it must have it, whether the District thinks it expedient or not.

SECS. 18 and 19.--An earlier day should be appointed for the Directors to hold their first meeting and enter upon their duties. In many Sub-Districts they want their school to commence as early as the first Monday in May, only two weeks after the first meeting of the Board. Sub-Directors usually wish to employ teachers much earlier than that. I can see no serious objection to their entering upon their duties as early as the third or fourth Monday in March. C. TAYLOR, Co. Sup't.

LOUISA COUNTY.

Many of the schools in this county have been graded; but many of our country schools can scarcely be graded according to any system that can be sustained. Much more might be done, however, if the County Superintendent were authorized by law to visit and grade the schools. As it now is, few can be found qualified for the position that will accept it.

J. K. SWENEY, Co. Sup't.

MAHASKA COUNTY.

In accordance with the School Law, I hereby submit the fol

lowing report for the year ending September 20th, 1863 :

The schools of this county are in as prosperous a condition as can be expected, when we take into consideration the great scarcity of competent teachers. By competent teachers, I mean those who not only understand the branches they are required to teach, but who know how to teach them.

I have granted one hundred and forty-six certificates during the last year, and have rejected thirty applicants, and I have no hesitation in saying that many of those who received certificates should have been rejected. According to the instructions from your office, a thorough knowledge of the branches named in the School Law is necessary to obtain a certificate. I immediately saw the difficulty there would be in obtaining a sufficient number of well qualified teachers for our schools; and published the following, which will explain my method of grading certificates:

"TEACHERS' CERTIFICATES.-I will state that the object of an examination is to ascertain the applicant's general knowledge of the branches he expects to teach, and his skill in the art of teaching.

The law contemplates that all teachers shall be qualified to teach Orthography, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography and English Grammar; and certainly every teacher should have a thorough knowledge of these branches. The fact that he has a little knowledge of each, will not answer, he should be familiar with them; ready and able at all times to explain, illustrate and simplify his subject. He must be a man of good moral character and general intelligence; one who will feel a deep interest in the welfare of his school, and who is sparing no pains to qualify himself for the faithful discharge of the arduous duties of his responsible position. He should have a correct idea of the duties and responsibilities of a teacher. But we are told that if we grant certificates only to those who possess all these qualifications many of our schools will be without teachers. This I admit, and have therefore graded my certificates from one to three. I endeavor to grant No. 1 only to those who come somewhat near to this standard, and grades two and three, to others according to their qualifications; No. 3 indicating the lowest standard of qualifications that will entitle any one to a certificate. I will also state that in my examinations, I will endeavor not to embarrass and confuse any one with difficult and perplexing questions, for such would only defeat what we wish to accomplish.

I published the above soon after the creation of the office of

Superintendent, and have endeavored to adhere to it ever since. EXAMINATIONS. In my examinations, I adopt both the oral and written answers.

COLLEGES, &c. We have in this County, two private High Schools, and one College, all in a flourishing condition.

GRADED SCHOOLS. I can not say that there are any schools in this county graded according to the system recommended in the circular from your office. That circular was issued on the first of January last and at that time the schools were too far along in their terms to adopt the system; at all events, it could have been tried in but few of them; and my engagements were such that it was impossible for me to quit my business and give the subject that attention that its importance demanded. I fear, however, that it will be very difficult to introduce that system into the sparsely settled districts of this County. We have graded schools in the City of Oskaloosa, although somewhat different from the plan recommended.

TEXT BOOKS. The Eclectic Series and Mitchell's and Monteith's Geographies are used in all the schools of this County.

TEACHERS IN THE ARMY. Since the first call for volunteers about twenty of the teachers of this County have gone into the army, thus showing that when our beloved country calls for help, the teachers are as patriotic as any other class of men; with them, the love of country appears to be predominant, and but few of them are found identified with those who are in opposition to the government.

SCHOOL LAW. The present school system was, at first, very unpopular, so much so that politicians were afraid to endorse it; but after a trial of about five years a great change has taken place; the system has become popular, and the standard of our public schools has been elevated. I will not recommend any radical change in the law at the present time, the people desire some stability in the legislation on this subject; constant changes tend to perplex and embarrass them. There are cases, however, where the present law may appear to do injustice in some particular locality; but the correction, by legislation, of one local difficulty, might create many others elsewhere, and make much confusion and trouble.

I think, however, that the law should be so changed as to require the President or Secretary of each school district to satisfy the County Superintendent by oath, that they had fully complied with

the requirements of the law before they are permitted to draw any of the apportionment from the County Treasury.

J. M. LOUGHRIDGE, Co. Sup't.

MILLS COUNTY.

I have urged upon teachers and school officers the plan proposed for grading schools, but many objections are urged against its practicability in our small country schools on account of irregularity in attendance, &c.

I have my doubts in the matter, on the plan proposed. It has not been adopted to any extent in this county.

I am satisfied that the graded system is the true one and hope some plan may be proposed adapted to our country schools.

I think it would be impolitic to change the main features of the school law. J. M. MADISON, Co. Sup't.

POLK COUNTY.

In reply to your circular of July 1st, 1863, there are in this county some eight private schools having in all about 240 pupils. We have graded some 20 schools, as near as possible in accordance with the circular issued from your office. The results of such grading are most satisfactory to both patrons and teachers.

I examine teachers both by oral and written questions. I have examined 126, and rejected 15, and have issued certificates of first grade to 15, second grade to 26, third grade to 67. About fifty teachers have gone into the army.

Last winter I visited nearly all the schools of this county, spending a day in most of them and talking to the patrons at night. The people every where favored the plan of grading the schools when it was explained to them. I am convinced that our schools will never accomplish their high mission until they are graded.

I also believe every school should have a library of all the books used in the school, and that the pupils should be supplied from it, the books and studies of the pupils to be under the control of the teachers. Text books furnished thus will cost less and secure uniformity.

The necessity of increasing the duties and salary of the County Superintendent have been so repeatedly urged upon the attention of the Legislature that it is hoped they will appreciate its import

ance.

The meetings of the Teachers' Association held in different parts of the county have resulted in much good to the schools. During the Summer several school celebrations were held, creating a lively interest among the citizens.

The people of this county generally like the school law and think changes in the law would increase instead of diminish its defects. If the people would elect men competent to execute the law we should hear much less about its defects.

E. D. HAWES, Co. Sup't.

VAN BUREN COUNTY.

I would recommend no change in the school law except to increase the duties and pay of County Superintendents. He certainly ought to have the "visiting power." The citizens of this county desire it, and none more than the teachers. At their Institute in September last, a resolution was passed unanimously praying the next General Assembly to enact a law requiring the Superintendent to devote his whole time in promoting the interests of the schools in his county. D. G. PERKINS, Co. Sup't.

WARREN COUNTY.

My report is somewhat defective, owing to the defective reports of some of the Secretaries. I have been at much trouble to make it as full as I have.

As to the schools in Warren county for the past year, so far as I can judge, I can report them in a healthy condition; but I desire to see a greater demand for the very best class of teachers. The policy that has been adopted by some of our District Boards to set a limit to the wages of teachers, beyond which no Director can go, will, I fear, prove disastrous to our schools, especially as the price fixed will not command the services of the best teachers. The correct theory is, to demand the very best teachers and pay them