$130 a year and of women $155, the length of school term being very short. He recommends that the minimum term of school, now only 4 months, be increased to 6 mouths, as the people now generally recognize the fact that 4 months out of 12 is too brief for effective schooling, even if the children attend continuously.

ADMINISTRATION.

A State superintendent of free schools, elected quadrennially by the people, has general control of public school interests. Local schools are supervised by county school superintendents, elected by the people for 2 years, by district boards of education, and by subdistrict boards of trustees. District boards comprise a president and 2 commissioners, elected for 4 years, and 1 apparently for 2 years. This board appoints 3 trustees for each subdistrict to hold office for 3 years, with annual change of 1. The county superintendent and 2 high grade teachers whom he may nominate constitute a county board of examiners for each county to examine and license applicants for teachers' certificates.

SCHOOL FINANCES.

For the support of public free schools there is levied annually a State tax of 10 cents on $100 of real and personal property, which, with the interest of the invested State school fund, the proceeds of forfeitures, fines, and an annual capitation tax, constitute a general school fund, annually distributed among the counties in proportion to the number of youth of school age in each as shown by the last enumeration.

Besides this State contribution there is an annual levy in each independent school district of not more than 50 cents on every $100 of valuation for the payment of teachers' salaries within the district.

To provide school-houses and grounds, keep them in order, supply fuel, and pay other expenses incurred in connection with the schools, there is a further tax in each district annually of not more than 40 cents on $100.

AID FROM THE PEABODY FUND.

For teachers' scholarships at Nashville, institutes, and normal schools there were granted from this fund $3,100 in 1883 and $2,850 in 1884.

CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM OF WHEELING.

ADMINISTRATION.

The city school officers of Wheeling are a board of education of 3 members from each subdistrict, and a superintendent of the city school district, appointed by the board.

STATISTICS.

For 1882-'83: Population, census of 1880, 30,737; children of school age, 9,986; public schools, 8; enrolment in public schools, 5,152; average daily attendance, 4,514; number of teachers, 106.

For 1883-84: Children of school age, 10,459; public schools, 9; enrolment in public schools, 5,013; average daily attendance, 4,386; number of teachers, 107.

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.

Wheeling in 1883-'84 had an enrolment of 4,849 white and 164 colored pupils, with an average attendance of 4,242 white and 144 colored. Schools were taught 200 days by 6 men and 97 women. Of the 9 school-houses in the city 3 were rented and 1 was built during the year. The buildings contained 104 rooms, all having fenced and improved grounds, valued, with other school property, at $246,585.

PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.

GENERAL STATE REQUIREMENTS.

For examining and certifying teachers each county has a board of examiners, consisting of the county superintendent with 2 experienced teachers holding first class certificates, nominated by him and appointed at a meeting of presidents of district boards. Teachers must present to the proper school officers a duplicate certificate of qualifications to teach a school of the grade applied for.

STATE NORMAL TRAINING.

The State normal schools at Concord, Fairmount, Glenville, Huntington, Shepherdstown, and West Liberty all present courses of 3 years in normal training and nearly all offer preparatory. The schools at Huntington, Shepherdstown, and Fairmount give collegiate training.

Storer College, Harper's Ferry, for colored students, offers a 3-year normal course, and in 1884 had 87 normal students, of whom 14 were graduated. The State aids the school with 18 scholarships, which secure room rent and tuition for State students,

who have the free use of books also. The colored teachers of West Virginia are offered free tuition from the close of their schools to the end of a summer normal term. For statistics, see Table III of appendix; for a summary of them, a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

OTHER NORMAL TRAINING.

The State is entitled to 6 scholarships in the Nashville Normal University, awarded by the trustees of the Peabody fund. At the close of 1883 there were 3 vacancies existing, all of which were filled in 1884, 1 vacancy subsequently occurring.

West Virginia College, Flemington, has a 3-year normal course, the first 2 years being given to the branches taught in the public schools and the third year to collegiate branches. A model school is connected with this department for the observation and practice of the pupil teachers.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTES.

The law requires that one or more teachers' institutes shall be held annually in each county in the State and teachers are required to attend them. The annual cost of these institutes is about $1,250, of which the State appropriates $500, the remainder being contributed from the Peabody fund. The amount received from this source in 1883 was $1,500; in 1884, $1,332.

In addition to their attendance at the regular county institutes, the teachers in several counties hold for a day or two each month district institutes or teachers' associations, to discuss among themselves, with such patrons as will attend, local questions affecting the school interests of the county, methods of teaching, and school management.

EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL.

The West Virginia School Journal, published at Wheeling and devoted to the cause of education, was in 1883-84 in its third and fourth volumes. The general department is edited by the principals of the Wheeling schools, and the official department by the State superintendent of public schools.

SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

When the board of education of any district deems it expedient to establish a high school, it may submit the question to the voters of the district, and if they so decide the board is authorized to establish a high school. In 1882 there were 10 high schools in the State, the following year 6, and in 1884 1 more was added.

OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

For statistics of business colleges, private academic schools, and preparatory departments of colleges, see Tables IV, VI, and IX of the appendix; for summaries of them, corresponding tables in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION.

COLLEGES FOR YOUNG MEN OR FOR BOTH SEXES.

West Virginia University in 1882-83 entered on a new arrangement of its studies in 10 independent schools, under 2 general courses, academic and professional. It is claimed that this allows greater freedom in the selection of studies and the elevation of the standard of instruction and attainment; that, the course being elective, the student may pursue the studies of any school for which he is prepared, without regard to his deficiency in other studies; and that, if he desires but a partial course, he may adapt that course to his tastes or necessities; and, finally, that he is put upon the same equality with his fellows and thrown upon his own resources. Its military course of 4 years remained unchanged.

Bethany College, with the same arrangement by schools as the university, in 1882-83 continued its classical, scientific, and ministerial courses, leading to the degrees of A. B., S. B., and L. B. It has also an academic course of 2 years, preparatory to the regular college course. While all courses are open equally to both sexes, there is a special ladies' course. The musical department offers a course of elementary training and drill in technique, both vocal and instrumental.

West Virginia College, noted in previous years, has made no report to this Bureau for the years under view.

For statistics of colleges reporting, see Table IX of the appendix; for summary of statistics, the report of the Commissioner preceding.

INSTITUTIONS FOR THE SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION OF YOUNG WOMEN.

For statistics of schools of this class reporting, see Table VIII of the appendix; for summary of statistics, the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION.

SCIENTIFIC.

The University of West Firginia, in its new arrangement, offers the degree of bachelor of science to graduates holding diplomas in the schools of metaphysics, modern languages, English, geology and natural history, mathematics, agriculture, chemistry, and physics.

Bethany College, in its school of mathematics and astronomy, has a scientific course of 4 years, including, with subjects in the classical course, applied mathematics, road and railroad engineering, descriptive geometry, shades and shadows, and perspective drawing. A special course in engineering includes, in addition to some of the above, surveying, drawing, levelling, profiling, and mapping. No time is specified for this

course.

For other information in regard to these schools, see Table X of the appendix.

PROFESSIONAL.

Theological. The only theological instruction given in the State in 1882-'83 appears in the ministerial course of 4 years in Bethany College. The studies of the first 2 years are classical, those of the third and fourth years theological, of a fair standard.

Legal training in 1882-'83 continued in the State university in its school of law and equity, embracing the usual studies. The degree of bachelor of laws will hereafter be conferred on graduates of this school.

For statistics of these schools, see Tables XI and XII of the appendix.

Medical.-Up to 1882-83 no full medical school or department appears in the State. In the school of anatomy, physiology, and hygiene of the West Virginia University there was preparatory medical training in anatomy, with dissection; in physiology and hygiene, by specimen, the microscope, drawing, and lectures. A foundation has been laid for a medical museum. Under the new order of things this department, it is said, has had during the session of 1882-83 more bona fide medical students than ever before. The faculty hope soon to complete a medical department.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION.

EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB AND THE BLIND.

The West Virginia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, Romney, founded in 1870, reported for 1883 an appropriation from the State of $23,450 and buildings and other property valued at $80,000. There were 102 pupils under instruction, of whom 66 were deaf-mutes and 36 blind. All are taught the common English branches, with drawing for the deaf and music for the blind; also, the usual industrial occupations of such schools.

EDUCATIONAL CONVENTION.

WEST VIRGINIA EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

The State Association met at New Martinsville, July 1-3, 1884, Hon. B. L. Butcher presiding. Among the subjects presented and discussed were "The old and the new in education," "The relation of the State university to the free school system," "Reform schools," "Building for the children of the South," and "Grading county schools." The meeting was regarded as a very profitable one, and the association will hold its next session at Keyser.

CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICER.

Hon. B. L. BUTCHER, State superintendent of free schools, Wheeling.
[Term, March 4, 1881, to March 4, 1885.]

(From returns of Hon. Robert Graham, State superintendent of public instruction of Wisconsin, for the years indica ted.)

STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

GENERAL CONDITION.

The statistics show a steady increase in the school population, which in 1883-'84 numbered 33,517 more than in 1881-'82. As may be seen, the advance in the number of pupils under instruction did not keep pace with the increase in school youth in 1883-'84

Above 7,000 more were enrolled in public schools, but 5,575 fewer are reported from private schools, which brings the net increase down to 2,200, counting students in normal and collegiate institutions. Fuller statistics from private schools, however, the State superintendent says, would change this presentation very much, several of the largest cities in the State, where it is well known there are large numbers of private schools, sending no reports of them. Besides, as he says, the failure of attendance to keep pace with population is easily understood when it is remembered that a large proportion of the increase in population has been in the newer portions of the State, where time is required to provide school facilities, and in a few large cities, where school accommodations are almost always inadequate. The number of pupils 7 to 15 years of age reported in public schools in 1883-84 was 14,691 more than in 1881-'82 and 3,466 more than in 1882-83. Fuller statistics on this point, it is believed, would show that nearly all of that age attended during some portion of the year. More school districts were reported, a fairly larger number of schools with more than one department appears, more houses were built, and there was an increase of expenditure for all school purposes. Sixteen towns adopted the township system in 1882-183, four more did so the next year, and more school districts were supplied with libraries, dictionaries, maps, and globes. A larger number of the country districts have adopted a graded course of study, and this effort to systematize the work of the common schools has resulted in the more rapid advancement and the more equal and symmetrical development of pupils where the experiment has been tried in good faith and with earnest purpose. The superintendent advises that district boards be required by law to adopt a course of study prescribed by the superintendent, just as they are required to adopt a list of text books, and that all teachers be required to organize their schools in accordance with it.

ADMINISTRATION.

A State superintendent, elected biennially by the people, has general supervision of the public schools. Each county has a superintendent, and counties with 15,000 or more inhabitants may have 2 of these officers. Districts have boards of 3 directors. Towns which have adopted the township system have township boards, consisting of the clerks of the several subdistricts belonging to the township. Women are eligible to all school offices except that of State superintendent. Public schools must be nonsectarian; they are free to all resident youth 4-20 years of age, a census of whom is taken annually by the district clerk. Children 7-15 years of age must attend school at least 12 weeks in each school year unless their education has been otherwise provided for or unless excused for specified causes. The public school system comprises high and normal schools and a State university. There are also State institutions for the blind and deaf and a State Reform School.

SCHOOL FINANCES.

Public schools are supported from the income of a State school fund and from local taxation. The income of the State school fund is distributed annually to such towns and districts as send the required reports and show that they have raised towards the support of common schools one-half the amount last appropriated to them from the State fund and that they have maintained schools at least 5 months in the year, a 3 months' term in extraordinary cases being accepted. School money is apportioned according to the school census.

SCHOOL SYSTEMS OF CITIES WITH 7,500 OR MORE INHABITANTS.