ing interest, without invading the principal, at 4 per cent. per annum until the system becomes at least measurably and by degrees self-sustaining.

NEW LEGISLATION.

Night schools.—The following act was approved February 26, 1886:

Whereas, the management of the night schools in the city of Louisville by the board of trustees of the public schools of said city has developed the fact that a large number of the applicants for admission are by laboring people of both sexes who are unable to read and write, have to be excluded under the present law because over the school age; and whereas such people, ignorant from misfortune, poverty, or lack of opportunity, are children in knowledge, and manifest a laudable ambition in seeking knowledge to overcome their ignorance and become better citizens by studying and attending school at night after their toil of the day; and whereas it is manifestly to the interest of the public at large that every person know how to read and write, without which knowledge they can not properly or fully discharge the duties of citizenship under a free and enlightened Government: Therefore the board of trustees of the public schools of any city in this Commonwealth, having a population of 20,000 or over, are hereby authorized and empowered to admit as pupils in the night schools under their direction and control such persons over the pupil age now prescribed by law and under the age of 40 years, at their discretion, and under such rules, regulations, and restrictions as the said board of trustees provide, not inconsistent with the laws of the Commonwealth: Provided, That on no account shall the pupils admitted to said school by virtue of this act be enumerated as pupils under the common school law of the State.

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Payment of teachers' wages.-For the purpose of providing for the monthly payment of the wages of the teachers of the common schools, the superintendent of common schools in any county is hereby authorized to borrow for said purpose, at a rate of interest not exceeding 6 per cent. per annum, a sufficient sum of money duly estimated from the apportionment table furnished by the superintendent of public instruction.

Substitution of district for coun'y taxation.—County taxation has been repealed and district taxation substituted as follows: A tax may be voted at any time, once a year, or for three successive years, after notices have been duly posted, for the better payment of teachers, for the extension of the district school for a longer term, or for the payment of any debt contracted by the trustees on account of the common school. The tax shall not exceed twenty-five cents in any one year on the hundred dollars' worth of taxable property in the district.

School-house sites.-A site for a school-house may be purchased, a school-house built, repaired, or furnished, without submission of the question to a vote.

Adoption of text-books.-Instead of trustees adopting text-books, from lists recommended by the State board of education, to be used in their respective districts, the county superintendent shall adopt from said lists text-books to be used in their respective counties. T-ri-books for indigent children.-The county judge of any county is authorized to make an allowance out of the county levy, not to exceed $100 in any one year, for providing necessary text-books to indigent children, provided they attend the public school.

State teachers' institutes appropriations.-Five hundred dollars shall be appropriated annually by the State for the benefit of the State teachers' institutes.

Duty of superintendent of public instruction.—It shall be the duty of the superintend ent of public instruction, whenever it shall come to his knowledge, to report any habitail neglect of duty or any misappropriation of common school funds on the part of any of the county superintendents or trustees of common schools of this Commonwealth to the county attorney, whose duty it shall be to prosecute such person in the circuit court of the county in which such neglect of duty or such misappropriation of funds may

occur.

Age of eligibility for county superintendent.-No person shall be eligible to the office of county superintendent who is not at the time twenty-one years old.

Terms of office of county superintendents.-County superintendents shall hold their offices for four years, or until their successors are elected and qualified.

Eligibility to office of county superintendent dependent on certificate of qualification.-No peron shall be eligible to the office of county superintendent unless he shall have first obtained a certificate of qualification from the State board of examiners, which may be granted on an examination held before them or upon a written examination held before the county judge, the county attorney, the county clerk, and a competent person selected by them. The result of said written examination to be forwarded to the State board of examiners, who may, if they deem it sufficient, grant a certificate, and, if they refuse it, shall notify the aforesaid county board, and no certificate can then be granted the said applicant for the election then pending. The State board of education shall designate to the county board the character of examination required.

Report of county superintendents.-Under penalty of a fine from twenty to fifty dollars, county superintendents are required to report for payment, at the legal periods, schools duly taught.

Buying of teachers' claims, etc., prohibited.-No county superintendent shall be allowed to buy for himself or another any teacher's claim, directly or indirectly, or to act as agent for the sale of any books, under the penalty of removal from office by the superintendent of public instruction.

Certificates. No certificate, except first class and second class, shall be issued to the same person more than twice.

Recommendation of normal instructors.-The superintendent of public instruction may recommend able and experienced normal instructors to conduct the county teachers' institutes.

Taxes. No tax shall be levied upon the property or poll, or any services required. of any white person for the benefit of a school for colored children, and no tax shall be levied upon the property or poll, or any services required of any colored person for the benefit of a school for white children.

For other information concerning education in Kentucky consult the Index.

LOUISIANA.

For statistical and other information concerning education in Louisiana contained in this Report consult the Index.

MAINE.

[From Report for 1886–87 of State Superintendent N. A. Luce.]

There was a slight decrease in the number of schools, but the number of pupils was larger than in the previous year; the school term was longer, being on an average twenty-two weeks and two days-an increase of one week and three days—and there was a larger proportion of experienced teachers and of those who had enjoyed the regular and systematic training of the Normal School. It is a legitimate inference, therefore, that more thorough, effective, and successful work was accomplished, and that greater progress was made by the pupils.

SCHOOL DISTRICT SYSTEM.

There was an increase of nine in the number of towns having the town system of managing the schools, causing a reduction of 89 in the number of school districts and of 26 in the number of parts of districts. This was a decided improvement, if we are to judge by the language of Superintendent Luce: "Not till we are rid of that iniquitous product of educational folly and democracy run mad-the school district system-can all of our schools be brought up to full efficiency in the annual amount of schooling which they should offer to every child in the State."

TEMPERANCE INSTRUCTION.

The law enacted by the Legislature in 1885 requires that "all pupils in all schools supported by public money or under State control" shall be instructed in "physiology and hygiene, with special reference to the effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants, and narcotics upon the human system;" and that no certificate shall be granted to any person who has not "passed a satisfactory examination in physiology and hygiene, with special reference to the effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants, and narcotics upon the human system." This law has been in force two years. There were some serious difficulties encountered in its introduction. There were a great many young pupils who could not read and could understand only the simplest statements. Such instruction could only be given them directly by the teacher-by word of mouth. This was a method of teaching with which many of the teachers were utterly unacquainted.

A second difficulty was that, although text-books on physiology and hygiene were used in many schools, few of them directed special attention to the effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants, and narcotics upon the human system. Consequently, new textbooks had to be introduced.

As was to be expected, many parents were opposed to such instruction for different reasons, and the more so when asked to supply their children with books on the subject, which they frequently refused to do.

Notwithstanding these difficulties, however, the law was very generally complied with, so that such instruction was given to nearly all the pupils-probably to between 80 and 90 per cent. of them.

Superintendent Luce claims that as the end of such instruction is to give the child such a knowledge of the evil effects of stimulants and narcotics upon the human system as to forever deter him from intemperate habits, any other means which will assist in this purpose should be adopted. Hence, the child should also be instructed as to the moral, social, and financial evils resulting from habits of intemperance. He should be taught how large a part of the crimes, poverty, and disease results from intemperance.

COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE.

The first law for compulsory school attendance was enacted in 1875, but it was found impossible to enforce it. Another was enacted by the Legislature in 1887, requiring all children between 8 and 15 years of age to attend school for at least 16 weeks in each year; but, as it has been in effect only a few months, it can not be stated definitely as yet what will be its effect. It is very probable that it will secure a much larger school attendance, especially if the law is rigidly enforced for the first year or two, after which it can be easily enforced.

COURSES OF STUDY FOR UNGRADED SCHOOLS.

Superintendent Luce recommends the establishment of regular courses of study for ungraded schools and that when pupils have completed this course they be graduated, just as in graded schools. It would afford a strong incentive to diligent and accurate study on the part of pupils, and furnish them with a definite and well-marked standard or degree of education to which all pupils would aspire and which their parents would desire them to reach before finally quitting school.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

Superintendent Luce recommends—

(1) That school committees and supervisors earnestly endeavor to increase school attendance, especially by a rigid enforcement of the new compulsory law.

(2) That they endeavor to secure teachers of high attainments and skill, and to retain teachers who have given satisfaction.

(3) That they introduce regular courses of study in ungraded schools.

(4) That they endeavor to abolish the district system, to secure the adoption of the free text-book plan, and the establishment of free high schools.

(5) That they encourage educational meetings.

(6) That they encourage young teachers of promise to attend a normal school. (7) That they endeavor in every way to elevate the public school system.

MARYLAND.

[From Report of State Board of Education for 1886-87, Hon. M. A. Newell, Secretary.]

The number of pupils enrolled in the county schools, 1886-87, was 121,177, as against 123,423 two years previously. Considering the natural increase of population, the falling off of more than 2,000 pupils in two years is a matter calculated to excite inquiry. It is true that this decrease is to a certain extent compensated by the fact that the average daily attendance has increased 2,821 during the same period.

Extending the comparison over a greater interval of time, the changes in the public school system can be more clearly discerned. In 1867 the average duration of the school was 9 months. In 1887 it 83 months. In 1867 13 counties kept schools open 10 months in the year; in 1887 only 10 counties had schools open for a similar period. This apparent retrogression may be explained by the fact that in 1867 the white schools received $359,226 from the State (being $296,550 from the State school tax and $62,676 from the free school fund), and in 1887 they received only $309,846 from the State (being $267,522 from the State school tax and $42,324 from the free school fund). This loss of $50,000 could have been easily met if the conditions had remained permanent. But with the gradual dimination of income from the State there came a gradual increase of necessary expenses, owing to the natural increase of population and the growing popularity of the public schools. The number of white children enrolled in the county schools in 1867 was 71,060; in 147 it was 95,331. In 1967 the average annual salary of a white teacher was $316. In 1887 it was not quite $300. In order to make a just comparison it has been necessary to limit the inquiry to white schools, because the colored schools had no aid from the State till the year 1872. In truth, the embarrassments of the white schools sprang indirectly from the establishment of the colored schools.

In 1872 the General Assembly appropriated the entire proceeds of the State school tax ($525,000, more or less) to the support of the white schools, and $50,000 additional to the colored schools. In 1874 the General Assembly appropriated "whatever sum may be paid into the treasury on account of the levy of the public school tax" to the white schools, and to the colored schools $100,000. There was no interference with the law

and the custom of devoting the whole income of the State school tax to the white schools until the year 1878, when the General Assembly passed an Act requiring the amount set apart for colored schools, the appropriation to the State normal school, and the expenses of the State board of education, amounting in all to $111,500, to be paid out of the annual proceeds of the State school tax.

The counties, with some exceptions, have done their best to make up the deficiency from this diversion of the State school tax, the county school tax having risen from $335,371 in 1873 to $157,802 in 1887. But there are indications that the limit, whether of ability or of inclination we need not inquire, has been nearly reached. The school year is growing shorter; the teacher's salary is growing smaller, and the necessary result will be a corresponding deterioration of the public schools. All that is needed is to go back to the condition of things in 1877, devote the whole proceeds of the State school tax to the white schools, and give from the general treasury the same proportion per capita for the support of colored schools. The $100,000 now given by law to the colored schools is very nearly the proportion of the State school tax and the free school fund to which they would be entitled by a per capita distribution.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEW LEGISLATION.

The following suggestions for the improvement of the schools and the advancement of education are made to the Legislature by Superintendent Newell:

1st. Necessary text-books for use in the school room should be supplied without charge.

2d. The State school tax should be 12 cents on the $100, and the minimum county tax should be less.

3d. The State tax should be distributed to the several counties in proportion to the average enrolment of the pupils, white and colored, no pupil to be counted who has not made an attendance of at least 60 days (or 120 half days) in the year.

4th. The few remaining county academies should be made a part of the public school system.

5th. There should be but one school district trustee, in place of three under the present law.

6th. Every principal of a public school should be required to make a report at least twice a month, by postal card to the examiner, of the condition of his school as regards attendance, etc.

7th. Legal provision should be made for ascertaining accurately once in every two years, in the city of Baltimore and the several counties, the number of children of schoolgoing age (say over six years and under sixteen), the number attending public schools, and the number attending private and denominational schools.

TEMPERANCE INSTRUCTION.

The General Assembly of Maryland at its last session enacted a law "to provide for teaching the study of physiology and hygiene, with special instructions as to the nature and effect of alcoholic drinks, stimulants, and narcotics upon the human system, in the public schools of the State and educational institutions receiving aid from the State," and inquiries have been made as to whether the law has been complied with. Early in the school year 1886-87 the State board of education revised the uniform course of instruction for use in the several county schools, and inserted physiology among the studies of the fifth and sixth grades of the district schools, and the seventh and eighth grades of the high schools. The result has been that while the number of pupils in the county schools studying physiology was reported in 1885 as 110, it rose in 1887 to 10,200. At the last annual meeting of the Association of Public School Commissioners this subject was discussed earnestly and intelligently. It was admitted that the full number of pupils contemplated in the law had not yet been reached, but an obstacle was mentioned which had not occurred to those who framed the law. In the majority of counties parents buy the books which their children need. They have thus an effective veto upon the teacher's wish to form classes in any study. In point of fact many parents refused to purchase the necessary text-books of physiology; but the teachers in these cases made such compensation as was possible by reading to the school from the text-book and giving the needed explanations and questions. It is hoped that the next annual report will show a decided increase in the number of pupils studying physiology; but the friends of temperance must bear in mind that more is needed than scientific instruction; the conscience must be enlighted and the will strengthened, and for these purposes other forces than legislative enactments must be brought into action. Let us hope that the beginning now made may be like the path of the just, "a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

For additional information concerning education in Maryland consult the Index,

MASSACHUSETTS.

[From Report for 1886-87 of Hon. John W. Dickinson, Secretary of State Board of Education.]

There has been a gratifyingly large increase (996) in the number of pupils over 15 years of age. On the other hand, the number of very young pupils continues to diminish, 58 less being returned as under 5 years of age. The returns also show a decrease in the number of pupils intrusted to each teacher. This is a change in the right direction. The law now authorizes 50. This is an excessive number for one teacher to control and teach, but the agents of the board find many primary schools containing a larger number, sometimes as many as 70 or 80 little ones being crowded into a single room and in the care of a single teacher. Such schools can not be good schools. It is gratifying to know that the school authorities are convinced of this fact, and by multiplying the schools are making the conditions for work more favorable.

While the whole number of teachers employed has increased the number of men reported as teaching has slightly diminished. The average monthly wages of the men has increased $5.62. These facts taken together seem to show that the decrease has been in the number of cheap male teachers. Last year several men were found keeping school for $2 a month. The more rapidly the number of such is diminished the better will be the schools.

The high schools continue to prosper. The number of these schools is 229, an increase of 5; the number of teachers 701, an increase of 24; the number of students 22,406, an increase of 1,036. Of these 229 schools 42 are kept by towns which are not required by law to keep them. The marked growth of this grade of schools is doubtless due in a large measure to the continued influence of the free text-book law. The sum expended for sundries, including text-books and supplies, has decreased $63,513.15. This was to be expected, as the first cost of supplying the schools under the new law was necessarily larger than the average would prove to be. The towns are now approaching the average expenditure for this purpose. This is undoubtedly much smaller than the expenditure under the old system.

The returns of private schools are defective. The whole number of pupils in such schools during the past year is reported to be 28,941. From official sources it is known that there were 30,000 pupils in schools maintained by the Catholic Church alone. A detailed course of study for ungraded schools has been prepared, which is designed to aid the school boards of towns in preparing courses for their own schools.

ILLITERACY.

The State decennial census, taken in 1885, has disclosed the gratifying fact that illiteracy has not increased at so great a rate as the population during the last decade, and consequently is not so prevalent as it was ten years ago. This is true both for the native and foreign born population. In 1885 there were 122,263 illiterates, forming 7.73 per cent of the population. Of these 122,263 illiterates of all degrees, 6.79 per cent. were born in Massachusetts, 4.58 per cent. in other States, while 88.63 per cent. were føre gu born. The native born illiterates were, in 1875 and 1885, 1.33 and 1.29 per cent. of the total population, respectively, while the foreign born were 23.12 and 21.50 per ent. for the same periods.

The above figures include illiterates of all ages, many of whom have come into the State after reaching maturity, and are therefore beyond the reach of elementary instruction. If only the minors from 10 to 20 are taken into consideration they will be found to be only 9.92 per cent. of the total number illiterates, as against 11.09 in 1875. For other information concerning education in Massachusetts consult the Index.

MICHIGAN.

NEW LEGISLATION-SESSION OF 1887.

Temperance instruction.—The law relating to instruction in physiology and hygiene was amended as follows: (1) Such instruction must be given by text-books in the case f pupils who are able to read and as thoroughly as in other studies pursued in the same school; the text-books to be used for such instruction shall give at least one-fourth of ther space to alcoholic drinks and narcotics, and at least 20 pages in the highest grade. 2. Text-books used must be approved by the State board of education, the approval of The board of health no longer being necessary. (3) Each teacher of a public school

certify whether or not such instruction has been given in the school presided over by him or her. (4) School boards are subject to fine or forfeiture for neglecting to carry