An Act in addition to an Act entitled “an Act for the regula School societies empowered to require their treasurer to give bonds. meeting, shall bave power to require that the treasurer appointChildren not to be precluded from school from inability of parent, &c.—-Proviso, ed for such society shall give bond to the society for the faiththat payment be enforced by law. ful discharge of the duties of his office; which bond shall be Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives approved by the society committee before the treasurer shall in General Assembly convened, That no child or children enter upon the duties of his office. shall be denied the privilege of attending school in any school district established by law in this state, to which such child or An Act in addition to the “ Act for the regulation of School children do belong, for, or on account of the inability of the Societies, and for the support of Schools.” parent or parents, guardian, or master of such child or child [ENACTED 1835.] ren, to supply his, her or their proportion of wood in such dis To what society certain school districts shall belong. trict-any law to the contrary notwithstanding. Provided, Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives that nothing in this act shall be so construed as to prevent the in General Assembly convened, That where a school district committee of any school district from enforcing payment by has been or shall hereafter be formed, pursuant to the provision due process of law to recover any sum or sums of money due of the third section of said act, from iwo or more adjoining from any person or persons to such district, for his, her or their school societies, such district shall belong to and become a part proportion of wood as aforesaid. of that school society, wherein the school bouse of such dis trict is situated; and 'ihe inhabitants thereof shall have the An Act in addition to and alteration of an act entitled “an Act same rights and privileges as are enjoyed by those of other for the regulation of School Societies, and for the support of school districts in ihis State. An Act in addition to an act entitled "an Act for the regula- tion of School Societies, and for the support of Schools.” Be it enacted by the Senate und House of Representatives [ENACTED 1836.] in General Assembly convened, That in case of the absence Duty of assessors, if called to assess in school districts, &c. or inability of the committee of any school district in this Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representutives state, at the time in which the enumeration of the scholars in in General Assembly conrened, That whenever any school said district, is required by law to be made, the clerk of said district within any town in this state, shall call on the assesschool district shall enumerate the scholars residing in said sors of said town, to assess the real estate, situated in their district, and make return thereof, in the same manner as if he respective districts, that it shall be the duty of said assessors were district committee for said school district. by posting notice on the sign posts of their respective towns, or An Act in addition to "an Act for the regulation of School by publishing the same in some newspaper printed in the town to which they belong, to require all persons who own real esSocieties, and for the support of Schools." tate situated'in said districi, within iweniy days after such no[ENACTED 1829.] tice given, written or printed lists of all such real estate as Form of certificato when schools bave not been kept according to law. they may own, so situated in said district; and the assessors Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives shall obtain such other information, by viewing the premises in General Assembly convened, That whenever the school in or otherwise, as may be deemed expedient and necessary to any school district shall not be kept according to law, the com- amend, add to, and fill up said lists, and in case any person mittee of the society, to which such district belongs, may, in owning real estate in such district, after notice given as aforeAbrisson, state such fact, and also the number of children written or printed list of all such real estate within said twenenumerated in such district; and the comptroller may, when ty days, said assessors may fill out a list for such person so application is made for the school monies payable to such so- neglecting or refusing, at three fold the rate per cent. or amount ciety, for said year, deduct from the whole number of children that the taxable property of such person would otherwise have enumerated in such society, the number contained in such dis- been rated. Provided álways, that this act shall not extend to trict, and draw an order as provided by law, for the benefit of the taxable properly of persons residing without the limits of the remainder in such society-any law to the contrary not the town in which such school district is situated. withstanding: And the certificate in such case, shall be in the words following, to wit:-“We, the committee of the CHAPTER II. school society, in the town of do certify, that the An Act relative to the Committees of School Districts, and schools in said society, except the school in district, have been kept for the year ending the thirtieth day of directing the manner in which the Meetings of School SociSeptember last, by instructors duly appointed and approved, cries and School Districts may he warned. and in all respects according to law; and that all the monies NACTED 1823.] drawn from the public treasury by said society for said year, appropriated to schooling, have been faithfully applied and ex Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repo pended, in paying and boarding said instruetors; and that there resentatives in General Assembly conrened, That the sevewere in said districts, on the first Monday of August last, the ral school societies in this State be, and they hereby are, aunumber of persons between the ages of four and thorized, at their annual meetings, to appoint one, three, or sixteen years. five persons, to be a commilice in each school district within A. D. their respective limits. Notice of school society niecting-Of school district meeting. committee." SECT. 2. That when any school society meeting is to be An Act in addition to an Act entitled "an Act for the regula- be held, signed by the committee of the society, or a major holden, a notification, specifying the objects for which it is to tion of School Societies, and for the support of Schools.” part of them, or if there be no committee, by the clerk, and see [ENACTED 1934.] upon the sign post in the society, or published in a newspaper School district empowered to require their treasurer and collector to give bonds. printed within the same, at least five days inclusively before SECT. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- ihe meeting is to be held, shall be sufficient notice to the qualiresentatives in General Assembly convened, That the inhab-fied voters to attend such meeting; and when any school disitants of each school district, in lawful meeting, shall have trict meeting is to be holden, a like notification, signed by the power to require that the treasurer, and collector, appointed for committee for such district, and set upon the sign-post in the such district, shall respectively give bonds to the district for the district, or if there be no such sign-posi, upon the school house faithful discharge of the duties of their respective offices; in the district, or published in a newspaper printed within the which bonds shall be approved by the district committee, be- same, at least five days inclusively, before the meeting is to be fore the treasurer, or collector, shall enter upon the duties of held,'shall be sufficient notice to the qualified voters 10 atiend his office. such meeting; and any school society, at an annual meeting, School district committee. day of and any school district, at any meeting, may respectively de- | lency the governor, the commissioner of the school fund, exsignate and determine upon any other place or places in addi- officío, and eight persons, one from each county in the state, to tion to the sign-post or school-house, at which the notification be appointed annually, by the governor, with the advice and aforesaid shall be set up. consent of the senate, shall constitute, and be denominated the Qualification of voters. board of commissioners of common schools. Sect. 3. That all white male persons, living within the To submit to general assembly an annual report, --and its contents.—Board to ap point their secretary,- his duty. limits of any school society or school district, qualified to vote in town meetings, shall be qualified to vote in all meetings of Secr. 2. The board of commissioners of common schools such society or district, respectively; and that no other person shall submit to the general assembly an annual report, containor persons shall be allowed to vote in such meetings. ing, together with an account of their own doings; first, a statePartial repeal. ment, as far as may be practicable, of the condition of every Sect. 4. That so much of the sixth section of the act en- cion generally; second, such plans for the improvement and common school in the state, and of the means of popular educatitled "an Act for the regulation of School Societies, and for better organization of the common schools, and all such matthe support of Schools, as prevents school societies from ap- ters relating to popular education, as they may deem expedipointing more than one person a committee in each district be, ent to communicate, and said board may require the school and the same hereby is repealed. visitors of the several school societies, semi-annually, returus An Act in addition to an Act relative to Committees of Schools, of the condition of each common school within their limits; and directing the manner in which the Meetings of School and they shall prescribe the form of all such returns, and the Societies and School Districts may be warned. time when the same shall be completed, and transmit blank [ENACTED 1837.] copies of the same, to the clerk of each school society; and What notice to be given in school districts where there is no school house or sign- his whole time, if required, under the direction of the board, said board may appoint their own secretary, who shall devote post in a school district. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives to ascertain the condition, increase the interest, and promote in General Assembly convened, That whenever any school the usefulness of common schools. district shall be destitule of a school house or sign-post, where Duty of school visitors. on to post warnings for school meetings, and where no news Sect. 3. The school visitors in the several school societies, paper is printed in such district, a certified copy of such warn- shall lodge with the clerks of their respective societies, such ing, delivered to each qualified voter residing within such dis- returns of the condition of each common school, within their trict, or left at his usual place of abode, at least five days before limits, in such particulars, and at such times as the board of the day of holding such meeting by the committee of such commissioners of common schools may specify and direct, and district, shall be suflicient notice to the qualified voters to at- said visitors shall on or before the first of April in each year, lend such neeting. lodge with the clerk of their respective societies, a written re port of their own doings, and of the condition of their several An Act relating to School Societies and special School Soci- schools within their limits, for the preceding seasons of schoolety Meetings. ing, with such observations, as their experience and reflection ENACTED 1837. may suggest, who shall submit the same to the next meeting of To transact any business at a special meeting that may be done at an annual meet- said society, and said visitors may require of the several teaching, if mentioned in the warning. ers to keep a register of their schools, in such form as may be Be il enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives prescribed by the board of commissioners aforesaid. in General Assembly convened, that the several school soci Duty of clerks of school societies. eties in this state are hereby authorized and empowered to Sect. 4. The clerks of the several school societies shall transact any business at a special meeting, that they may legal-transmit to the board of commissioners of common schools, on ly transact at an annual meeting: Always provided, that no or before the tenth day of April in each year, such returns as business shall be done at a special meeting which is not named the school visitors may make, in pursuance of the provisions of in the warning for said meeting. the preceding section. School society's committees duty. Sect. 5. The school society committee shall not certify 10 An Act concerning Academies and Schools. the comptroller of public accounts, that the schools in their [ENACTED 1838.] respective societies have been kept according to law, unless the provisions of the third and fourih sections of this act have Any persons may associate and establish an academy school, &c. How to become a body pilltic and corporate, &c. been duly observed. Secretary of said board how paid. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly conrened, That liberty be, and hereby in the second section of this act, the comptroller of public ac Sect. 6. For the compensation of the secretary, provided for is granted to any individuals in any town in this state, to associate for the purpose of establishing or maintaining an acade-counts is directed to draw ap order on the treasurer' for such my school, and being so associated, shall, on complying with sum as the board of commissioners of common schools may the provisions of this acı be considered a body politic and cor- allow for his services, provided the same does not exceed three porate; may choose a president and other officers ; may. dollars per day, and his expenses, while employed in the duties epact by-laws to regulate the affairs of such corporation, not incon- of his office, to be paid out of any monies not otherwise approsistent with the laws of this state, or of the United States, and priated. i compel the due observance thereof by suitable penalties; may CHAPTER V. sue and be sued, and do all other acts necessary and proper for the well-ordering the affairs of such corporation, and may An Act relating to the School-Fund, Oath of comissioner of school fund.--His duties. purchase and hold real or personal estate of a value not exceeding ten thousand dollars. Provided, however, that before Secr. 1. Beil enacted by the Senate and House of Repreany such association shall be entitled to the privileges of this sentatives in General Assembly contened, That the commisact, they shall lodge with the secretary of this state, a copy of sioner of the scho»l-fund, shall take the oath prescribed by the their articles of association ; provided, also, thai this act may take care of all property belonging to said fund, and the inter constitution, for executive officers. He shall superintend and be altered or repealed by the general assembly. est arising on the same; he shall cause the nett amount of inCHAPTER IV. terest, received yearly on said fund, to be distributed, for the benefit of the public or common schools, according to law ; An Act to provide for the better Supervision of Common and on the sale of any of the lands or real estate, belonging to Schools. said fund, which the commissioner is bereby authorized 10 [ENACTED 1838.] make, he shall prepare all necessary deeds of release or convey. Who constitutc the board of commissioners of common schools. ance to be execuied by the treasurer of the state, which he is Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Senale and House of Rep- hereby authorized, on the request of the commissioner, to exeresentatires in General Assembly conrenel, That his excel-cure, and to cause the seal of the state to be affixed thereto. Children to be instrueted. pluca Property belonging to the school-fund to be registered. An Act for the Education and Government of Children. Sect. 2. The commissioner shall cause all debts due the school-fund, on bond, or otherwise, and all bank stock, and oth Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Reper property, belonging to said fund, to be registered in books to resentatives in General Assembly convened, That all parents, be kept in his office, in wbich shall be opened an account with and those who have the care of children, shall bring them up each debtor, shewing the place of his residence, the amount of in some honest or lawful calling or employment; and shall his debt, the security therefor, and the estimated value thereof; teach and instruct them, or cause them to be taught and inthe registry of the lands shall shew their extent and value, dis- structed, to read, and write, and cipher as far as the four first tinguishing new, from cultivated lands. rules of arithmetic. Copies of bonds in the hands of agents. If neglected, select-men may bind them out, Sect. 3. The commissioner shall require copies of all bonds Sect. 2. The select-men, in their respective towns, shall in the hands of agents, certified by them to be true copies of inspect the conduct of the heads of families, and if they find the originals, in their hands for collection, which copies shall any who neglect the education of the children under their care, be kept in his office. they may admonish them to attend to their duty, and if they Annual abstract of changes of property. continue to be negligent, whereby the children grow rude, Sect. 4. The commissioner shall, annually, on the firsi day stubborn, and unruly, they shall, with the advice of a justice of April, make an abstract from his hooks, of all changes or al- of the peace, take such children from their parents, or those terations of the debts or property of the school-fund, in which who have the charge of them, and bind them out to some proshall be entered an account of all payments of the principal of per master, males till twenty-one, and females till eighteen, school-fund bonds, for one year ending the second day of the that they may be properly educated and brought up in some preceding September, and of all bonds, bank and other stock, lawful calling and employment; which binding shall be valid and property of every description, acquired by purchase, ex- and effectual. change, or otherwise, during the same period; shall certify said Stubborn children, how to be corrected.-Proviso. abstract lo be correct, and shall lodge the same in the office of Sect. 3. Whenever any children or minors shall be stubthe comptroller. born and rebellious, and shall refuse to obey the commands, Index of the amount of interest due, to be made annually. and resist the authority of their parents, or those who have the Sect. 5. The commissioner shall, on or before the second charge of them, then the parents, or those who have the charge day of September, in each year, make and deliver to the treas of them, or any informing officer , may make complaint to two urer, an index, containing a statement of the amount of interest justices of the peace, in the town where the parties live, who due on that day, from each debtor to the school-fund, whose shall have power to issue a warrant, and cause such children bond is lodged in the office of the commissioner; which index to be apprehended, and brought before them; and if, on due shall contain ihe name of each debtor, in alphabetical order, inquiry, they shall find them to be guilty, they may sentence his place of residence, the number of the bond, and the amount them to be committed to the house of correction, in the town due on said day for principal, and for interest. where they live, and if there be none in that town, to the comDuty of treasurer, in relation to school-fund. mon gaol in the county, to remain confined to hard labor, so Sect. 6. The treasurer shall receive all monies paid on ac- long as said justices of the peace shall judge proper, not excount of the school-fund, as well for principal as for interest, ceeding thirty days. Provided, that said justices, on the reand give duplicate receipis therefor, one to the debtor, and the formation of such children, may, at any time after the comother to be lodged in the office of the commissioner; shall keep mitment, order their release, and return to their parents, separate and distinct accounts of each, and shall pay over said [Statutes, edit. 1835, p. 88.-do. 1838, p. 105.] monies to orders drawn according to law; and shall deliver to the comptroller, on the first days of March and October, in each The following sections relation to the Education of Children year, a statement of the nett amount of interest, and other employed in Factories, will be found on p. 373 of Statutes revenue, paid into the treasury, on account of the school-fund; published in 1835, and on p. 415 of the edition now in press. and the comptroller shall, on application of the committee of Children employed in factories to be taught reading, writing, and arithmetic. any school society, draw an order on the treasurer, for the Sect. 7. The president and directors of all factories, which amount legally due such society. now are, or hereafter shall be, legally incorporated, and the Duty of the comptroller. proprietor or proprietors of all other manufacturing establishSect. 7. It shall be the duty of the comptroller, semi-annu- ments in this state, shall cause that the children employed in ally, in the months of April and October, to settle the accounts such factory or establishment, whether bound by indenture, by of the commissioner, and draw on the treasurer for the balance parol agreement, or in any other manner, be taught to read and due him, which, together with all legal and necessary expenses write, and also that they be instructed in the four first rules of in managing the fund, shall be paid out of the revenue arising arithmetic (provided the term of their service shall be of so therefrom. long duration that such instruction can be given,) and that due Clerk of Commissioner. attention be paid to the preservation of their morals; and that Sect. 8. The commissioner of the school-fund is hereby they be required, by, their masters and employers, regularly 10 authorized to appoint a clerk in his office, for such portion of attend public worship. time as he shall judge necessary; which clerk shali lake the Board of visiters. Their duties.- Power of the county court to discharge indenvath prescribed by the constitution for executive officers. tures, or impose fine. Vacancy in commissioner's office, how supplied. SECT. 8. The civil authority and select-men for and withSect. 9. In case the office of the commissioner of the school- tablishments, do or may exist , or a committee by them appoint in such towns in which such factories or manufacturing esfund shall become vacant, by death or otherwise, during the recess of the general assembly, the governor is hereby authori- ed, shall be, and they are hereby constituted, a board of"visitzed to fill such vacancy, by appointing a person to perform the ors; and it shall be the duty of such board of visitors, in the duties of commissioner as aforesaid, until the rising of the then month of January, annually, or at such other time or times as next general assembly. they shall appoint, carefully to examine, and to asceriain whe ther the requisitions of this act, which relate to the instruction We omit the remaining enactments relating to the School and the preservation of the morals of the children employed Fund, and publish the provisions of our law for securing the in- as aforesaid, be duly observed: and if, on such examination, struction of all the children of the state. If these provisions rectors of any incorporated factory, or the proprietor or propri such board of visitors shall discover, that the president and diwere carried out, the state could be saved much expense for etors of any manufacturing establishment, have neglected to pauperism, and crime and vice; and it could no longer be said perform the duties enjoined on them by this act, such board of ihat there are one thousand persons among us over sixteen and visitors shall report such neglect to the next county court withunder twenty-one who cannot read or write-and over sixteen in the county within which the same shall have occurred; and thereupon, such county court shall cause the president and dithousand children under sixteen years of age not attending any rectors of such incorporated factory, or the proprietor or proschool, private or public. prietors of such manufacturing establishment, to appear before such court, to answer in the premises; and if, on due enquiry, the practice, which at the time it was issued prevailed in some it shall be found, that such president and directors, or the pro- districts, and which it has been represented, prevails still, prietor or proprietors of such establishment, do not duly attend to the education of the children by them respectively employed, though to a very limited extent. as is by this act required; or that due attention is not paid to HARTFORD, May 28th, 1833. preserve the morals of such children; it shall be the duty of Gentlemen, such court, and they are hereby authorized, at their discretion, It having been represented that a practice prevails in seveeither to discharge the indentures or contracts, relating to such ral parts of the State, of enumerating children between 4 and minors, and by which they may be bound to render services in 16 years of age in Districts where they do not belong, by the such establishments, or they may impose such fine ot forfeiture advice of the Joint Committee on the School Fund, we address on the proprietor or proprietors of such establishment as they you on this subject, that the practice may be corrected in all may consider just and reasonable: Provided the same shall future enumerations returned in the Comptroller. not exceed the sum of one hundred dollars. The error has arisen from a misapprehension of the Legisla tive meaning of the term “residing, and entirely rejecting In addition to these provisions of our statute law in refer- the words and belonging," as used in the 13th section of the cence to Schools and the Education of Children, we publish law. the section of the Constitution by which the School Fund, It is our decided opinion, in concurrence with the advice of now amounting to over $3,000,000, is forever consecrated to the Joint Committee, that when we take the word "residing” Common Schools; and also, the section of the law regulating ing of the law is, that a child's residence is, where it belongs, in connection with the words which follow, the obvious meanthat portion of the Surplus Revenue belonging to the United although it may be absent three, six, twelve, or twenty-four States, which fell to this state, and of which $764,670 61 has months, for the temporary purpose of acquiring an education, been received, liiniting the appropriation of the interest &c. In other words, its residence is ils home, or where its thereof. parents reside. The child, in our opinion, does not reside, and clearly does not belong, in the place to which it temporarily Constitution of Connecticut, Article 8.-Of Education. resorts for the purpose of attending a school, academy or col Sect. 2. The fund, called the School Fund, shall remain lege, or to receive jastruction of any kind. "In that District a perpetual fund, the interest of which shall be inviolably ap- only, where the child belongs, ought it to be enumerated. propriated to the support and encouragement of the public or There is no other interpretation of the law which can give common schools, throughout the state, and for the equal bene- effect to both of the terms used in the Act and in the Certififit of all the people thereof. The value and amount of said cate. fund shall, as soon as practicable, be ascertained in such man in the distribution of the school money; hecause the child is The erroneous practice, if persisted in, will result unjustly ner as the general assembly may prescribe, published, and recorded in the comptroller's office; and no law shall ever be generally (and correctly) enumerated in the District where made, authorising said fund to be diverted to any other use the parent belongs, and thus produces a double enumeration, than the encouragement and support of public, or common viz. at home and abroad. schools, among the several school societies, as justice and equi You will therefore take particular care that the returns made ty shall require. by the District Committee to you be thoroughly scrutinized, and made conformable to the law, as the 18th section of the An Act acceptiog the Deposite, &c. Act imposes a penalty of $60, on each person signing the cerSect. 10. The interest or income arising from the said tificate; to recover which it is made the duty of the Comptroltown deposite fund, shall in each town be annually appropria ler to commence a suit. led, not less than one half thereof, for the promotion of educa We are Gentlemen, Your obedient servants, tion in the common schools in such town, in such manner and SETH P. BEERS, proportions as such town may direct, and the remainder Commissioner of the School Fund. ELISHA PHELPS, Comptroller. for the purpose of defraying the ordinary expenses of such town, and for no other purposes. The legal voters in each SCHOOL VISITERS. town, at an annual town meeting, or at any special town meeting legally warned for that purpose, may decide whether the The successful operation of our school system rests almos: said remainder of said income, derived from said fund, or any entirely with this committee. They must examine and appart thereof, shall be appropriated in like manner for the sup-prove every person, before he can be employed as teacher. port of common schools in such town, or whether the same or any part thereof shall be appropriated for the purpose of de- They must displace such as are not found qualified, or refuse to fraying the ordinary expenses of such town, or to both of said conform to their regulations. They direct and superintend the objects, as may be deemed most beneficial to the interests of instruction of the scholars-and must visit every school in the such town. society twice at least during each season of schooling. They Such is the Public Law of Connecticut for the support and must give an account of the condition of all the schools to the regulation of schools, and the education of children. It was Board of Commissioners, when required, and submit a written our intention to have passed it under a brief review, for the pur. | Report of the manner in which they have discharged their dupose of calling the attention of those who are entrusted with its ties and of the condition of the several schools within their administration to the responsibilities involved in the faithful limits to the respective societies. Are the'r duties faithfully discharge of their respective duties. We can only add a few persormed in all or in part ? paragraphs to this number of the Journal. SCHOOL SOCIETY COMMITTEE. The law directs that no school money shall be paid out of We would ask if an Instructor is not sometimes provided for the Treasury of the State, in favor of any society, until the the schools, by this committee, without previous examination committee of said saciety shall certify in writing under their and approbation of the visiters of the School Society, eviden- hands, aniong other things, that the schools within their limits ced by their certificate, or by that of a committee of their num- for the year previous, have been kepl by instructors duly apber duly appointed? Their is another important duty of this pointed and approved, and in all respects according to law. committee, which we fear is sometimes discharged without a Must not the committee know what the law requires ?-and, full knowledge of its extent. not to specify other particulars, can the schools have been kept We republish the following circular, at the request of the according to law, unless they have been visited twice, at least, Commissioner of the School Fund, to guard in future against I during each season of schooling, by persons duly appointed ? То THE } From the Litchfield Sun. and that we will cordially co-operate in our several towns with the Board of Commissioners, in their efforts to further the condition of LITCHFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL CONVENTION. our schools, and to discover such plans for their improvement and better In pursuance of a notification of the Secretary of the Board of Com- organization, as our inquiries and reflections, aided by the experience of missioners of Common Schools, a Convention was held at Litchfield, the community around us may approve, as safe and practicable; and on the 30th ult., consisting of delegates from thirteen towns. with this view will promote the circulation of the Journal published After an impressive prayer by the Rev. Mr. Brace, the Hon Seth P. under their directions and form, before we separate, a County Associa- institutions may repose. Resolved, That Teachers should be thoroughly and carefully examRev. TRUMAN MARSH, Vice ELUAH SHERMAN, JR. Esq. ined by competent individuals, and such as are not found well qualified Rev. Fosdick HARRISON, Presidents. John Whittlesey, Esq. should be unhesitatingly rejected. That schools should be ofien vis D. C, San ferd, Esy. ed, not only by school visiters, but by the friends of education in the Rev. G. C. V. Eastman, Secretaries. respective towns; and that measures should be taken to excite in our Rev. G. N. Smith, schools a spirit of improvement; and we recommend that the teachers On motion, the following gentlemen were chosen a Committee to in each town form an association among themselves, to further the bring forward the business of ihe Convention : great interests committed to their charge, and that a Convention of Rev. Mr. Eldridge, Truman Smith, Esq. their schools should be holden once in cach season, when all cases of Rev. Mr. Watson, George C. Woodruff, Esq. decided improvement, whether by individuals, or schools, should be no- ticed and applauded. very much depend upon School Visiters faithfully discharging their duGENTLEMEN :-) cannot better express the grateful emotion I enter- ties; and that School Societies should see to it, that they attend to them. tain for this unexpected evidence of your respect, than by assuring you Resolred, That the office of Teacher, in our Common Schools, inthat I feel a very deep and sincere interest in the promotion of the volving such responsibility, and such arduous duties, demands a higher cause which has brought us together, and by pledging my best exer- grade of qualification than at present exists in this State; and to secure tions for its success. this, must receive a more liberal compensation, and a higher social con- Several of our sister States, and some of them much younger than Resolved, 'Ithat, as whatever occasion we may liave for thankfulness On motion, S. P. Beers, N. B. Smith, and Theron Rockwell, were The following gentlemen were elected Vice-Presidents: Wecannot resort in aid of this cause, perhaps, to heated zeal and Litchfield, Jesse Stone, Norfolk, Rev. Joseph Eldridge, excited passion: nor do we wish to do this; for we wish for more Barkhampsted, Jesse Ives, Plymouth, Rev. William Watson, abiding consequences than generally follow from the effects of mere Bethlehem, Joseph Ambler. Roxbury, Nathan B. Smith, excitement. We therefore appeal io the sober reflections and deter- Canaan, Wm. M. Burrall, Salisbury, William C. Sterling, mined resolutions of our fellow citizens on this subject . And I hope Colebrook, Charles B. Phelps, Sharon, William M. Smith, a spirit may this day go out from this Convention, which shall spread Cornwall, Nathaniel M. Urmston, Torrington, Israel Coe, effectually all over this county, and which shall entirely carry out the Goshen, Erastus Lyman, Warren, Rev. Harley Goodwin, great and good purposes of the Legislature. Harwinton, Andrew Abernethy, Washington, Samuel Averill, The Convention then adjourned to meet at half past one, P. M. On Kent, John R. Fuller, Watertown, Rev.F. Holcomb, the reassembling of the Convention in the afternoon, the President in New Hartford, Dr. S. Willard, Winchester, James Bebee, troduced Mr. Barnard, the Secretary of the Board of Commissioners, New Milford, Rev. Noah Porter, Woodbury, Reuben H. Hotchkiss. who addressed the Convention in a pertinent and eloquent speech upon On notion -Resolved, That the several VicePresidents of the Aspopular education, as collected with the vital interests of the community, sociation be requested to call meetings in the towns in which they and by a collocation of interesting facts, exhibited the disproportion be- reside, as soon as may be practicable, for the purpose of forming sotween results, and the munificent means consecrated by the State to ciclies to co-operate with the Association, in furtherance of the ob popular instruction. ject of its formation. After the address, the Committee designated to bring forward busi A number of gentlemen were appointed to obtain subscribers for ness, presented the following Resolutions, which, after comments from the "Common School Journal,” and to increase its circulation among Rev. Mr. Porter, James Pierpont, Esq., Mr. Dudley, Deacon Joel Hun- the different School Societies. gerford, Mr. Whittlesey, Rev. Mr. Harrison, and Hon. Mr. Church, Voted, That the Secretaries be requested to forward to each Clerwere unanimously adopted : gyman of the county a copy of the Resolution, recommending them Resolved, That to sustain the reputation which Connecticut has ac to address their respective congregations upon the subject of popular education. quired for virtue and intelligence, it is indispensably necessary to make strenuous exertions to elevate the character, and improve the condition Association at such time and place as he shall deem expedient. Voled, That the President be authorized to call meetings of the of our common schools. On motion- Rev. G.C. V. Eastman, George C. Wcodruff, Esq. and Resolved, That we have reason to apprehend that these invaluable institutions have, in this State, within a few years past, essentially Nelson Brewster, Esq. were appointed to form a Constitution, to be deteriorated, and that it is of great moment that public attention should presented at the next meeting of the Association, be arrested by this fact, to ihe end that effeciual measures may be adopted to alleviate so serious an evil. By order of the Association. Resolved, That we hail with joy the cffort that is now making under G. C. V. EASTMAN, Secretary. the auspices of our State Legislature, toinisrove our common schools; Case, Tiffany & Co., Printers, Peurl street, Tartford. |