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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened, That no child or children shall be denied the privilege of attending school in any school district established by law in this state, to which such child or children do belong, for, or on account of the inability of the parent or parents, guardian, or master of such child or children, to supply his, her or their proportion of wood in such district-any law to the contrary notwithstanding. Provided, that nothing in this act shall be so construed as to prevent the committee of any school district from enforcing payment by due process of law to recover any sum or sums of money due from any person or persons to such district, for his, her or their proportion of wood as aforesaid.

An Act in addition to and alteration of an act entitled "an Act for the regulation of School Societies, and for the support of Schools."

[ENACTED 1838.]

Enumeration of scholars by district clerks.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened, That in case of the absence or inability of the committee of any school district in this state, at the time in which the enumeration of the scholars in said district, is required by law to be made, the clerk of said school district shall enumerate the scholars residing in said district, and make return thereof, in the same manner as if he were district committee for said school district. An Act in addition to "an Act for the regulation of School Societies, and for the support of Schools." [ENACTED 1829.]

Form of certificate when schools have not been kept according to law.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened, That whenever the school in any school district shall not be kept according to law, the committee of the society, to which such district belongs, may, in Ibni wargi státe such fact, and also the number of children enumerated in such district; and the comptroller may, when application is made for the school monies payable to such society, for said year, deduct from the whole number of children enumerated in such society, the number contained in such district, and draw an order as provided by law, for the benefit of the remainder in such society-any law to the contrary notwithstanding. And the certificate in such case, shall be in the words following, to wit:-" We, the committee of the school society, in the town of do certify, that the schools in said society, except the school in trict, have been kept for the year ending the thirtieth day of September last, by instructors duly appointed and approved, and in all respects according to law; and that all the monies drawn from the public treasury by said society for said year, appropriated to schooling, have been faithfully applied and expended, in paying and boarding said instructors; and that there were in said districts, on the first Monday of August last, the persons between the ages of four and

number of

sixteen years. Dated at

the day of

S

dis

A. D. School society's committee."

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School district empowered to require their treasurer and collector to give bonds. SECT. 1. BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened, That the inhabitants of each school district, in lawful meeting, shall have power to require that the treasurer, and collector, appointed for such district, shall respectively give bonds to the district for the faithful discharge of the duties of their respective offices; which bonds shall be approved by the district committee, before the treasurer, or collector, shall enter upon the duties of

his office.

School societies empowered to require their treasurer to give bonds. SECT. 2. The inhabitants of each school society, in lawful meeting, shall have power to require that the treasurer appointed for such society shall give bond to the society for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office; which bond shall be approved by the society committee before the treasurer shall enter upon the duties of his office.

An Act in addition to the "Act for the regulation of School Societies, and for the support of Schools."

[ENACTED 1835.]

To what society certain school districts shall belong. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened, That where a school district has been or shall hereafter be formed, pursuant to the provision of the third section of said act, from two or more adjoining school societies, such district shall belong to and become a part of that school society, wherein the school house of such district is situated; and the inhabitants thereof shall have the same rights and privileges as are enjoyed by those of other school districts in this State.

An Act in addition to an act entitled "an Act for the regulation of School Societies, and for the support of Schools."

[ENACTED 1836.]

Duty of assessors, if called to assess in school districts, &c. BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened, That whenever any school district within any town in this state, shall call on the assessors of said town, to assess the real estate, situated in their respective districts, that it shall be the duty of said assessors by posting notice on the sign posts of their respective towns, or by publishing the same in some newspaper printed in the town to which they belong, to require all persons who own real estate situated in said district, within twenty days after such notice given, written or printed lists of all such real estate as they may own, so situated in said district; and the assessors shall obtain such other information, by viewing the premises or otherwise, as may be deemed expedient and necessary to amend, add to, and fill up said lists, and in case any person owning real estate in such district, after notice given as aforewritten or printed list of all such real estate within said twensara, neglects or refuses to give or send to the assessors, a ty days, said assessors may fill out a list for such person so neglecting or refusing, at three fold the rate per cent. or amount that the taxable property of such person would otherwise have been rated. Provided always, that this act shall not extend to the taxable property of persons residing without the limits of the town in which such school district is situated.

CHAPTER II.

An Act relative to the Committees of School Districts, and directing the manner in which the Meetings of School Societies and School Districts may be warned.

NACTED 1823.

School district committee.

SECT. 1. BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened, That the several school societies in this State be, and they hereby are, authorized, at their annual meetings, to appoint one, three, or five persons, to be a committee in each school district within their respective limits.

Notice of school society mecting Of school district meeting.

SECT. 2. That when any school society meeting is to be be held, signed by the committee of the society, or a major holden, a notification, specifying the objects for which it is to part of them, or if there be no committee, by the clerk, and set upon the sign post in the society, or published in a newspaper printed within the same, at least five days inclusively before the meeting is to be held, shall be sufficient notice to the qualified voters to attend such meeting; and when any school district meeting is to be holden, a like notification, signed by the committee for such district, and set upon the sign-post in the district, or if there be no such sign-post, upon the school house in the district, or published in a newspaper printed within the same, at least five days inclusively, before the meeting is to be held, shall be sufficient notice to the qualified voters to attend such meeting; and any school society, at an annual meeting,

and any school district, at any meeting, may respectively designate and determine upon any other place or places in addition to the sign-post or school-house, at which the notification aforesaid shall be set up.

Qualification of voters.

SECT. 3. That all white male persons, living within the limits of any school society or school district, qualified to vote in town meetings, shall be qualified to vote in all meetings of such society or district, respectively; and that no other person or persons shall be allowed to vote in such meetings.

Partial repeal.

lency the governor, the commissioner of the school fund, exofficio, and eight persons, one from each county in the state, to be appointed annually, by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall constitute, and be denominated the board of commissioners of common schools.

To submit to general assembly an annual report, and its contents.-Board to appoint their secretary,-his duty.

SECT. 2. The board of commissioners of common schools ing, together with an account of their own doings; first, a stateshall submit to the general assembly an annual report, containment, as far as may be practicable, of the condition of every SECT. 4. That so much of the sixth section of the act en- tion 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, returns of the condition of each common school within their limits; and they shall prescribe the form of all such returns, and the time when the same shall be completed, and transmit blank copies of the same, to the clerk of each school society; and his whole time, if required, under the direction of the board, said board may appoint their own secretary, who shall devote to ascertain the condition, increase the interest, and promote the usefulness of common schools.

An Act in addition to an Act relative to Committees of Schools, and directing the manner in which the Meetings of School Societies and School Districts may be warned.

[ENACTED 1837.]

post in a school district.

What notice to be given in school districts where there is no school house or sign Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened, That whenever any school district shall be destitute of a school house or sign-post, whereon to post warnings for school meetings, and where no newspaper is printed in such district, a certified copy of such warning, delivered to each qualified voter residing within such district, or left at his usual place of abode, at least five days before the day of holding such meeting by the committee of such district, shall be sufficient notice to the qualified voters to attend such meeting.

Duty of school visitors.

SECT. 3. The school visitors in the several school societies,

shall lodge with the clerks of their respective societies, such returns of the condition of each common school, within their limits, in such particulars, and at such times as the board of commissioners of common schools may specify and direct, and said visitors shall on or before the first of April in each year, lodge with the clerk of their respective societies, a written report 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 school

ety Meetings.
[ENACTED 1837.]

To transact any business at a special meeting that may be done at an annual meet

ing, if mentioned in the warning.

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ing, with such observations, as their experience and reflection may suggest, who shall submit the same to the next meeting of said society, and said visitors may require of the several teachers to keep a register of their schools, in such form as may be prescribed by the board of commissioners aforesaid.

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Secretary of said board how paid.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened, That liberty be, and hereby in the second section of this act, the comptroller of public acSECT. 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 an 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 act be considered a body politic and cor- dollars per day, and his expenses, while employed in the duties allow for his services, provided the same does not exceed three porate; may choose a president and other officers; may enact 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. compel the due observance thereof by suitable penalties; may sue and be sued, and do all other acts necessary and proper for the well-ordering the affairs of such corporation, and may purchase and hold real or personal estate of a value not exceeding ten thousand dollars. Provided, however, that before any such association shall be entitled to the privileges of this act, they shall lodge with the secretary of this state, a copy of their articles of association; provided, also, that this act may be altered or repealed by the general assembly.

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CHAPTER V.

An Act relating to the School-Fund,
Oath of commissioner of school fund.-His duties.

SECT. 1. BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened, That the commissioner of the school-fund, shall take the oath prescribed by the take care of all property belonging to said fund, and the interconstitution, for executive officers. He shall superintend and est arising on the same; he shall cause the nett amount of interest, received yearly on said fund, to be distributed, for the benefit of the public or common schools, according to law; and on the sale of any of the lands or real estate, belonging to said fund, which the commissioner is hereby authorized to make, he shall prepare all necessary deeds of release or conveyance to be executed by the treasurer of the state, which he is hereby authorized, on the request of the commissioner, to execute, and to cause the seal of the state to be affixed thereto.

An Act for the Education and Government of Children.

Children to be instrueted.

Property belonging to the school-fund to be registered. SECT. 2. The commissioner shall cause all debts due the school-fund, on bond, or otherwise, and all bank stock, and othSECT. 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 which 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.

Copies of bonds in the hands of agents.

SECT. 3. The commissioner shall require copies of all bonds in the hands of agents, certified by them to be true copies of the originals, in their hands for collection, which copies shall be kept in his office.

Annual abstract of changes of property.

SECT. 4. The commissioner shall, annually, on the first day of April, make an abstract from his books, of all changes or alterations of the debts or property of the school-fund, in which shall be entered an account of all payments of the principal of school-fund bonds, for one year ending the second day of the preceding September, and of all bonds, bank and other stock, and property of every description, acquired by purchase, exchange, or otherwise, during the same period; shall certify said abstract to be correct, and shall lodge the same in the office of the comptroller.

Index of the amount of interest due, to be made annually.

SECT. 5. The commissioner shall, on or before the second day of September, in each year, make and deliver to the treasurer, an index, containing a statement of the amount of interest due on that day, from each debtor to the school-fund, whose bond is lodged in the office of the commissioner; which index shall contain the name of each debtor, in alphabetical order, his place of residence, the number of the bond, and the amount due on said day for principal, and for interest.

Duty of treasurer, in relation to school-fund.

SECT. 6. The treasurer shall receive all monies paid on account of the school-fund, as well for principal as for interest, and give duplicate receipts therefor, one to the debtor, and the other to be lodged in the office of the commissioner; shall keep separate and distinct accounts of each, and shall pay over said monies to orders drawn according to law; and shall deliver to the comptroller, on the first days of March and October, in each year, a statement of the nett amount of interest, and other revenue, paid into the treasury, on account of the school-fund; and the comptroller shall, on application of the committee of any school society, draw an order on the treasurer, for the amount legally due such society.

Duty of the comptroller.

SECT. 7. It shall be the duty of the comptroller, semi-annually, in the months of April and October, to settle the accounts of the commissioner, and draw on the treasurer for the balance due him, which, together with all legal and necessary expenses in managing the fund, shall be paid out of the revenue arising therefrom.

Clerk of Commissioner.

SECT. 8. The commissioner of the school-fund is hereby authorized to appoint a clerk in his office, for such portion of time as he shall judge necessary; which clerk shall take the oath prescribed by the constitution for executive officers.

Vacancy in commissioner's office, how supplied.

rules of arithmetic.

If neglected, select-men may bind them out, SECT. 2. The select-men, in their respective towns, shall inspect the conduct of the heads of families, and if they find any who neglect the education of the children under their care, they may admonish them to attend to their duty, and if they continue to be negligent, whereby the children grow rude, stubborn, and unruly, they shall, with the advice of a justice of the peace, take such children from their parents, or those who have the charge of them, and bind them out to some proper master, males till twenty-one, and females till eighteen, that they may be properly educated and brought up in some lawful calling and employment; which binding shall be valid and effectual.

Stubborn children, how to be corrected.-Proviso.

SECT. 3. Whenever any children or minors shall be stubborn and rebellious, and shall refuse to obey the commands, and resist the authority of their parents, or those who have the charge of them, then the parents, or those who have the charge of them, or any informing officer, may make complaint to two justices of the peace, in the town where the parties live, who shall have power to issue a warrant, and cause such children to be apprehended, and brought before them; and if, on due inquiry, they shall find them to be guilty, they may sentence them to be committed to the house of correction, in the town where they live, and if there be none in that town, to the common gaol in the county, to remain confined to hard labor, so long as said justices of the peace shall judge proper, not exceeding thirty days. Provided, that said justices, on the reformation of such children, may, at any time after the commitment, order their release, and return to their parents.

[Statutes, edit. 1835, p. 88.-do. 1838, p. 105.]

The following sections relation to the Education of Children employed in Factories, will be found on p. 373 of Statutes published in 1835, and on p. 415 of the edition now in press.

Children employed in factories to be taught reading, writing, and arithmetic. SECT. 7. The president and directors of all factories, which now are, or hereafter shall be, legally incorporated, and the proprietor or proprietors of all other manufacturing establishments in this state, shall cause that the children employed in such factory or establishment, whether bound by indenture, by parol agreement, or in any other manner, be taught to read and write, and also that they be instructed in the four first rules of arithmetic (provided the term of their service shall be of so long duration that such instruction can be given,) and that due attention be paid to the preservation of their morals; and that they be required, by their masters and employers, regularly to attend public worship.

Board of visiters.-Their duties.—Power of the county court to discharge inden

tures, or impose fine.

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 appointin such towns in which such factories or manufacturing esfund shall become vacant, by death or otherwise, during the ed, shall be, and they are hereby constituted, a board of visitrecess of the general assembly, the governor is hereby authorized 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 they shall appoint, carefully to examine, and to ascertain whenext general assembly. ther the requisitions of this act, which relate to the instruction and the preservation of the morals of the children employed as aforesaid, be duly observed: and if, on such examination, such board of visitors shall discover, that the president and directors of any incorporated factory, or the proprietor or proprietors of any manufacturing establishment, have neglected to perform the duties enjoined on them by this act, such board of visitors shall report such neglect to the next county court within the county within which the same shall have occurred; and thereupon, such county court shall cause the president and directors of such incorporated factory, or the proprietor or proprietors of such manufacturing establishment, to appear before

We omit the remaining enactments relating to the School Fund, and publish the provisions of our law for securing the instruction of all the children of the state. If these provisions were carried out, the state could be saved much expense for pauperism, and crime and vice; and it could no longer be said that there are one thousand persons among us over sixteen and under twenty-one who cannot read or write-and over sixteen thousand children under sixteen years of age not attending any school, private or public.

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though to a very limited extent.

Gentlemen,

HARTFORD, May 28th, 1833.

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, as is by this act required; or that due attention is not paid to preserve the morals of such children; it shall be the duty of such court, and they are hereby authorized, at their discretion, either to discharge the indentures or contracts, relating to such minors, and by which they may be bound to render services in such establishments, or they may impose such fine ot forfeiture on the proprietor or proprietors of such establishment as they may consider just and reasonable: Provided the same shall not exceed the sum of one hundred dollars.

In addition to these provisions of our statute law in refercence to Schools and the Education of Children, we publish the section of the Constitution by which the School Fund, now amounting to over $2,000,000, is forever consecrated to Common Schools; and also, the section of the law regulating that portion of the Surplus Revenue belonging to the United States, which fell to this state, and of which $764,670 61 has been received, limiting the appropriation of the interest

thereof.

Constitution of Connecticut, Article 8.-Of Education. SECT. 2. The fund, called the SCHOOL FUND, shall remain a perpetual fund, the interest of which shall be inviolably appropriated to the support and encouragement of the public or common schools, throughout the state, and for the equal benefit of all the people thereof. The value and amount of said fund shall, as soon as practicable, be ascertained, in such manner as the general assembly may prescribe, published, and recorded in the comptroller's office; and no law shall ever be made, authorising said fund to be diverted to any other use than the encouragement and support of public, or common schools, among the several school societies, as justice and equity shall require.

An Act accepting the Deposite, &c. SECT. 10. The interest or income arising from the said town deposite fund, shall in each town be annually appropriated, not less than one half thereof, for the promotion of education in the common schools in such town, in such manner and proportions as such town may direct, and the remainder for the purpose of defraying the ordinary expenses of such town, and for no other purposes. The legal voters in each town, at an annual town meeting, or at any special town meeting legally warned for that purpose, may decide whether the said remainder of said income, derived from said fund, or any part thereof, shall be appropriated in like manner for the support of common schools in such town, or whether the same or any part thereof shall be appropriated for the purpose of defraying the ordinary expenses of such town, or to both of said objects, as may be deemed most beneficial to the interests of such town.

Such is the Public Law of Connecticut for the support and regulation of schools, and the education of children. It was our intention to have passed it under a brief review, for the pur. pose of calling the attention of those who are entrusted with its administration to the responsibilities involved in the faithful discharge of their respective duties. We can only add a few paragraphs to this number of the Journal.

DISTRICT COMMITTEE.

We would ask if an Instructor is not sometimes provided for the schools, by this committee, without previous examination and approbation of the visiters of the School Society, evidenced by their certificate, or by that of a committee of their number duly appointed? Their is another important duty of this committee, which we fear is sometimes discharged without a full knowledge of its extent.

We republish the following circular, at the request of the Commissioner of the School Fund, to guard in future against

It having been represented that a practice prevails in several parts of the State, of enumerating children between 4 and 16 years of age in Districts where they do not belong, by the advice of the Joint Committee on the School Fund, we address you on this subject, that the practice may be corrected in all future enumerations returned to the Comptroller.

The error has arisen from a misapprehension of the Legislative meaning of the term "residing," and entirely rejecting the words "and belonging," as used in the 13th section of the law.

It is our decided opinion, in concurrence with the advice of in connection with the words which follow, the obvious meanthe Joint Committee, that when we take the word "residing" ing of the law is, that a child's residence is, where it belongs, although it may be absent three, six, twelve, or twenty-four months, for the temporary purpose of acquiring an education, &c. In other words, its residence is its home, or where its parents reside. The child, in our opinion, does not reside, and clearly does not belong, in the place to which it temporarily resorts for the purpose of attending a school, academy or college, or to receive instruction of any kind. In that District only, where the child belongs, ought it to be enumerated.

There is no other interpretation of the law which can give effect to both of the terms used in the Act and in the Certifi cate.

The erroneous practice, if persisted in, will result unjustly in the distribution of the school money; because the child is generally (and correctly) enumerated in the District where the parent belongs, and thus produces a double enumeration, viz. at home and abroad.

You will therefore take particular care that the returns made by the District Committee to you be thoroughly scrutinized, and made conformable to the law, as the 18th section of the Act imposes a penalty of $60, on each person signing the certificate; to recover which it is made the duty of the ComptrolWe are Gentlemen, Your obedient servants,

ler to commence a suit.

SETH P. BEERS, Commissioner of the School Fund. ELISHA PHELPS, Comptroller.

SCHOOL VISITERS.

The successful operation of our school system rests almost entirely with this committee. They must examine and approve every person, before he can be employed as teacher. They must displace such as are not found qualified, or refuse to conform to their regulations. They direct and superintend the instruction of the scholars-and must visit every school in the society twice at least during each season of schooling. They must give an account of the condition of all the schools to the Board of Commissioners, when required, and submit a written Report of the manner in which they have discharged their duties and of the condition of the several schools within their limits to the respective societies. Are the'r duties faithfully performed in all or in part?

SCHOOL SOCIETY COMMITTEE.

The law directs that no school money shall be paid out of the Treasury of the State, in favor of any society, until the committee of said society shall certify in writing under their hands, among other things, that the schools within their limits for the year previous, have been kept by instructors duly appointed and approved, and in all respects according to law. Must not the committee know what the law requires ?—and, not to specify other particulars, can the schools have been kept according to law, unless they have been visited twice, at least, during each season of schooling, by persons duly appointed?

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From the Litchfield Sun.

LITCHFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL CONVENTION. In pursuance of a notification of the Secretary of the Board of Commissioners of Common Schools, a Convention was held at Litchfield, on the 30th ult., consisting of delegates from thirteen towns.

After an impressive prayer by the Rev. Mr. Brace, the Hon Seth P. Beers in explanation of the object of the Convention, briefly stated the efforts of the Legislature, and of the friends of popular education, to ascertain and improve the condition of Common Schools in the State; and particularly the act of the last Legislature, instituting a Board of Commissioners of Common Schools, and exacting from them a yearly Report of the character and progress of Common School Instruction throughout the State. The Convention then organized by the appointment of the following officers:

Hon. SAMUEL CHURCH, President. Vice- SELIJAH SHERMAN, JR. Esq. Rev. FOSDICK HARRISON, Presidents. Joux WHITTLESEY, Esq.

Rev. TRUMAN MARSH,

D. C. Sanferd, Esq.

Rev. G. C. V. Eastman, Secretaries.
Rev. G. N. Smith,

and that we will cordially co-operate in our several towns with the Board of Commissioners, in their efforts to further the condition of our schools, and to discover such plans for their improvement and better organization, as our inquiries and reflections, aided by the experience of the community around us may approve, as safe and practicable; and with this view will promote the circulation of the Journal published under their direction; and form, before we separate, a County Associa tion, with auxiliaries in the several towns, to be formed hereafter, for the improvement of Common Schools.

Resolved, That intelligence and virtue are the only sure preservation for our liberties; and that not only as philanthropists, but as patriots, we should feel ourselves called upon to foster the interests of our Common Schools; and thus, whilst we disseminate the elements of rational happiness, establish an immoveable foundation, upon which our free institutions may repose.

Resolved, That Teachers should be thoroughly and carefully examined by competent individuals, and such as are not found well qualified should be unhesitatingly rejected. That schools should be often vised, not only by school visiters, but by the friends of education in the respective towns; and that measures should be taken to excite in our 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 the Convention :

Rev. Mr. Eldridge, Truman Smith, Esq. Rev. Mr. Watson, George C. Woodruff, Esq. James M. Pierpont, Esq. Judge Church, on taking the chair, addressed the Convention nearly as follows:

GENTLEMEN:-1 cannot better express the grateful emotion I entertain for this unexpected evidence of your respect, than by assuring you that I feel a very deep and sincere interest in the promotion of the cause which has brought us together, and by pledging my best exertions for its success.

We have not met to learn, for the first time, the great importance of Common School education; we have been taught this in early life. New England has been both the birth-place and the nursery of the Common School system. Our fathers understood very well, that the institutions of civil liberty, and Protestant Chrsitianity, which they intended to establish and secure, could not exist, unless their foundations were laid deep and strong upon the firm base of popular education.

Several of our sister States, and some of them much younger than ourselves, have gone beyond us in raising the character of Common Schools; and even some of the arbitrary governments of Europe have put us to the blush. Prussia has the most perfect and tried system of Common Schools in the world: and about two years ago, I was told by a highly intelligent Prussian gentleman, that our government was too free, and had too little energy to enable us to come up to the Prussian standard. I felt humbled by the remark, for I had believed that the virtue and intelligence of a free people could expect as much for the cause of popular learning, as the mandates of a king.

But it has long been obvious, that the standard of our Common Schools, from varions concurring causes, has become depressed from its former more elevated state. All these causes may not be at once perceptible; but I rejoice that our Legislature have at length become aroused to action on this subject, and have adopted measures for detecting these causes, and applying the proper remedies. It is our duty to lend them our aid.

We cannot resort in aid of this cause, perhaps, to heated zeal and excited passion: nor do we wish to do this; for we wish for more abiding consequences than generally follow from the effects of mere excitement. We therefore appeal to the sober reflections and determined resolutions of our fellow citizens on this subject. And I hope a spirit may this day go out from this Convention, which shall spread effectually all over this county, and which shall entirely carry out the great and good purposes of the Legislature.

The Convention then adjourned to meet at half past one, P. M. On the reassembling of the Convention in the afternoon, the President introduced Mr. Barnard, the Secretary of the Board of Commissioners, who addressed the Convention in a pertinent and eloquent speech upon popular education, as collected with the vital interests of the community, and by a collocation of interesting facts, exhibited the disproportion between results, and the munificent means consecrated by the State to popular instruction.

After the address, the Committee designated to bring forward business, presented the following Resolutions, which, after comments from Rev. Mr. Porter, James Pierpont, Esq., Mr. Dudley, Deacon Joel Hungerford, Mr. Whittlesey, Rev. Mr. Harrison, and Hon. Mr. Church, were unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That to sustain the reputation which Connecticut has acquired for virtue and intelligence, it is indispensably necessary to make strenuous exertions to elevate the character, and improve the condition

of our common schools.

Resolved, That we have reason to apprehend that these invaluable institutions have, in this State, within a few years past, essentially deteriorated, and that it is of great moment that public attention should be arrested by this fact, to the end that effectual measures may be adopted to alleviate so serious an evil.

Resolved, That we hail with joy the effort that is now making under the auspices of our State Legislature, to improve our common schools;

great interests committed to their charge, and that a Convention of their schools should be holden once in cach season, when all cases of decided improvement, whether by individuals, or schools, should be noticed and applauded.

Resolved, That the prosperity and usefulness of Common Schools very much depend upon School Visiters faithfully discharging their duties; and that School Societies should see to it, that they attend to them. Resolved, That the office of Teacher, in our Common Schools, involving such responsibility, and such arduous duties, demands a higher grade of qualification than at present exists in this State; and to secure this, must receive a more liberal compensation, and a higher social consideration.

Resolved, That it is worthy of the serious consideration of Parents and School Committees, how far the smaller children may be brought together under competent female teachers, and how far it may be practicable and advisable to unite two or more adjoining districts, for the purpose of bringing the older scholars into a school of a higher order under a well qualified male teacher.

Resolved, That, as whatever occasion we may have for thankfulness in consideration of our peace and prosperity as a people, is to be attributed in a great measure, under Providence, to the virtue and intelligence disseminated through all classes by our Common Schools; and, that as the continuance of this peace and prosperity depends upon the prevalence of virtue and intelligence; we therefore recommend to the clergy of all denominations, to address their respective congregations upon these all-important institutions, on, or about the time of the approaching anniversary of Thanksgiving.

On motion, S. P. Beers, N. B. Smith, and Theron Rockwell, were appointed a Committee to nominate a President, and a Secretary, and Treasurer, for a County Association.

The Committee proposed the Hon. Samuel Church as President, and G. C. Woodruff, Esq. as Sectetary and Treasurer, and they were accordingly appointed."

The following gentlemen were elected Vice-Presidents:
Litchfield, Jesse Stone,
Barkhampsted, Jesse Ives,
Bethlehem, Joseph Ambler.
Canaan, Wm. M. Burrall,
Colebrook, Charles B. Phelps,
Cornwall, Nathaniel M. Urmston,
Goshen, Erastus Lyman,
Harwinton, Andrew Abernethy,
Kent, John R. Fuller,

New Hartford, Dr. S. Willard,
New Milford, Rev. Noah Porter,

Norfolk, Rev. Joseph Eldridge,
Plymouth, Rev. William Watson,
Roxbury, Nathan B. Smith,
Salisbury, William C. Sterling,
Sharon, William M. Smith,
Torrington, Israel Coe,
Warren, Rev. Harley Goodwin,
Washington, Samuel Averill,
Watertown, Rev. F. Holcomb,
Winchester, James Bebee,
Woodbury, Reuben H. Hotchkiss.

On motion-Resolved, That the several Vice-Presidents of the Association be requested to call meetings in the towns in which they reside, as soon as may be practicable, for the purpose of forming societies to co-operate with the Association, in furtherance of the object of its formation.

A number of gentlemen were appointed to obtain subscribers for the "Common School Journal," and to increase its circulation among the different School Societies.

Voted, That the Secretaries be requested to forward to each Clergyman of the county a copy of the Resolution, recommending them to address their respective congregations upon the subject of popular education.

Association at such time and place as he shall deem expedient. Voted, That the President be authorized to call meetings of the Nelson Brewster, Esq. were appointed to form a Constitution, to be On motion-Rev. G. C. V. Eastman, George C. Wcodruff, Esq. and presented at the next meeting of the Association.

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By order of the Association.

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G. C. V. EASTMAN, Secretary. Case, Tiffany & Co., Printers, Pearl street, Hartford.

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