racter, suits the mass of the people better than that of a more substantial kind, such as is usually found in district libraries purchased years ago. If the purchase of books depended on a district tax, I am well satisfied that not more than four per cent of the districts would make any addition to their libraries, which shows how little importance the people attach to them.

A decided improvement has been made in school-houses in this commissioner district within the last two years. In the town of Clinton, five new ones have been built during the last school year, and three others thorougly repaired; and, in the last two years, every house in the town, except two, has either been built new or thoroughly repaired. The other towns are also making great efforts to replace all unfit houses with new ones, and contracts have already been made for building several others the following summer. District No. 4, town of Altona, is building a large house for two departments, in spite of our stormy, rough winter, and will be able to open a school in it during the month of February. Champlain is now making a strong effort to establish a union school, which promises to be successful. Rouse's Point, in the town of Champlain, has for years taken a great interest in her schools. This village has large and convenient houses and grounds for her schools, and endeavors to procure the very best teachers, without such regard to the price as is usually found in many districts. Nearly all the other districts have comfortable houses, except those in the town of Beekmantown, where a few old houses have out-lived the patience of the school commissioner, and must soon yield to the "hand of law," unless some immediate action is taken.

I have, during the past year, made one hundred and seventynine visits to my schools, staying long enough at each school to study the teacher's method of teaching, as well as his ingenuity, tact in management, and then giving such instruction and advice as each case might need, and, for illustration, conducting the school, when it seemed necessary. As the building of a school-house usually causes some trouble in the district, I have had some difficult cases to manage, and many law questions to settle, which gives no little work to every commissioner. I never tire of the labor, nor long for the end, but feel an equal interest in all matters, both great and small, which tend to better our

school system. Hoping that, by the hearty co-operation of the commissioners with the Department, our schools will be brought to a higher state of perfection, I remain,

Respectfully, yours,

CHAZY, December 27, 1870.

R. S. McCULLOUGH,

School Commissioner.

CORTLAND COUNTY - FIRST DISTRICT.

Hon. ABRAM B. WEAVER, Superintendent of Public Instruction. SIR.-In compliance with the regulation requiring school commissioners to forward to the department a written report, the following is respectfully submitted:

In the succeeding tables will be found some of the more important statistical and financial items, contained in my abstracts of trustees' reports, for the school years 1869 and 1870.

It will be seen that the number of children reported, between the ages of five and twenty-one, is fifty-one more for 1870 than for 1869; the whole number in attendance, thirty less; and the average daily attendance, seventy-four less. The attendance would somewhat exceed that of 1869, were the attendance of the intermediate and primary departments of the normal school, which

is mostly drawn from school districts in Cortlandville, included. The whole number of teachers employed was one hundred and eighty-six, of whom forty-three were males, and one hundred and forty-three, females, but eleven having been employed in the same school during the year.

The foregoing table shows that the amount expended for school purposes, for the year 1870, was $756.70 less than for the year 1869, and the amount raised by tax was $609.54 less. It must be conceded, however, that the sum expended was very liberal. The amount expended for teachers' wages, for the year 1870, was $20,706.31, being $1,844.06 more than for 1869, and $10,504.74 more than for 1865. The average weekly compensation of teachers was $8.10, being $0.55 more than the previous year. The highest wages per week paid any female teacher was $10; the lowest, $3.50; the highest paid any male teacher was $18.75, and the lowest, $6.00. The average expense of instructing each pupil in attendance during the year was $8.06, being $0.15 per capita less than for 1869.

I am able to report some progress in regard to the condition of the school-houses in this commissioner district. Four have been built during the year; one in Harford, one in Lapeer, one in Freetown, and one in Virgil. Each has been substantially constructed, neatly painted, the seats and desks being of approved patterns, and the windows, with one exception, furInished with blinds.

It affords me pleasure to report that the teachers, with very

few exceptions, considering all the circumstances, have discharged their duties as faithfully, intelligently and efficiently as could reasonably be expected, manifesting a laudable ambition to more thoroughly qualify themselves for the high and responsible position they are to occupy as instructors. It is evident, however, that much yet remains to be done by way of elevating the standard of teacher's qualifications, before our schools will reach the highest condition of usefulness and efficiency.

The teachers' institute for the county was held at Homer, commencing October 18, 1870, and proved to be a very profitable and interesting session. Prof. H. B. Buckham, of Waterbury, Ct., acted as conductor, assisted by Prof. Post, of Chautauqua county. One hundred and ninety-seven teachers were in attendance, and engaged in the exercise with commendable zeal. In visiting schools since the close of the session, the benefits of the institute have been clearly manifested, and its influence for good will, doubtless, be felt throughout the county. Prof. Buckham, by his skillful manner of conducting the exercises, by his gentlemanly and scholarly bearing, won the esteem and confidence of all. Prof. Post also acquitted himself well, sustaining fully his reputation as one of our most efficient educators.

I can again report favorably in regard to the school teachers' associations and conventions which have been held during the year in all the towns of this commissioner district. The exercises, consisting of essays, declamations, discussions, class reviews, prize spelling, vocal music and addresses, awakened much interest on the part of all in attendance, thereby exerting an influence favorable to the welfare of the schools.

The interest manifested by the trustees in the discharge of their duties, with now and then an exception, is commendable; yet it is my impression, that it would add to their efficiency, were districts allowed discretionary power as to compensating them for their services. It would also, without doubt, be a step in advance, were the school law so amended that each district could have but one trustee; for experience has clearly shown that one trustee, being obliged to assume all the responsibility, is more efficient than three, each acting on the belief that his associates should assume it.

The longer I observe the workings of the present system of

sustaining the schools, the more fully I am impressed with its superiority, as compared with former methods. The tendency is to greater stability. One or two discontented spirits in a district cannot interrupt the school now as formerly. It has engendered greater liberality in their support, and teachers, as a consequence, are receiving more adequate compensation for their services. Private schools, always exerting, to a greater or less extent, a deleterious influence on the public schools, do not flourish under the operation of the free school system. Most of the academies are unable to compete with free schools, and are rapidly giving place to union schools. Of the four academies, formerly located in this commissioner district, but one remains. It is generally conceded that union free schools are best adapted to meet the wants of the people.

The Cortland normal school has already taken a position second to none of its class in the State. Its central and healthful location, its able corps of teachers, and its éfficient local board, are guarantees of its future prosperity and usefulness. Cortland county is especially favored in having such an institution located within its borders.

The Cornell University, being connected by its free scholarships with our public school system, is destined in due time to exert a wide influence in extending the educational power of the State. At the competitive examination held at Homer, in August last, by the committee composed of the school commissioners, Hon. H. S. Randall and Dr. S. C. Webb, Jennie S.-Spencer was adjudged to be the best scholar, and was awarded the appointment, being the first lady in the State to receive such honors.

Were I called upon to indicate wherein, in my opinion, the condition of our schools might be improved, I should suggest the following, to wit:

First. A uniform system of text-books should be secured, if possible.

Second. A uniform system of examination of teachers, under proper regulations, should be adopted throughout the State, so far as it relates to first grade and State certificates, since it would, doubtless, do much to elevate the standard of teachers' qualifications, and give to the business of teaching that professional dignity considered so desirable by many of the best educators.