[SEE JOURNAL, page 157.] REPORT OF MR. CROSWELL, FROM THE COMMITTEE ON COMMON SCHOOLS. The committee to whom was referred the communication from the Educational Convention, [see Doe. A.] have had the same under consideration, and respectfully REPORT: That in their opinion argument will be unnecessary to draw from this House a favorable response to the timely suggestions contained in the subjoined communication. An enlightened public sentiment will at all times be found. arrayed on the side of intelligence; and any contemplated improvement in the institutions of learning cannot, in the opinion of your committee, too earnestly commend itself to the investigation of the Legislature and the people. A liberal and widely extended system of common school education would prove the most enduring bulwark of our nation. When inquiry was made by a foreigner of a celebrated Grecian lawgiver, where were the walls which defended Sparta, in answer he stretched forth his hands towards a number of well taught youths by whom he was surrounded, and said "behold the walls of Sparta!" So with us,-let England boast of her walls of wood and stone if she will, but our defence against internal commotion or foreign invasion must ever depend on the sound education of our citizens; and whether in war or in peace, no subject can be of such vital importance in rendering our institutions both permanent and prosperous, as is the systematic instruction of the rising generation-more especially if we take into the account, that the son of the humblest individual in our land may be called to preside at the helm of public affairs, and to wield and guide the destinies of a great and powerful nation, The bill to provide for a Superintendent of Common Schools, which I am instructed to present for the concurrence of this House, the committee deem of the first importance. An effort has been made to fix upon a sum which shall be deemed by the Legislature adequate payment for the labors of the Superintendent, and at the same time not beyond a reasonable compensation. All of which is respectfully submitted. (Document A.) COMMUNICATION FROM THE EDUCATIONAL CONVENTION, The committee appointed by the convention to prepare and submit some plan for the advancement of common school education in Wisconsin, respectfully submit the following REPORT: The committee, in the first place deem it of the highest importance, before any system of common school education is permanently established in Wisconsin, that the evils and deficiencies of the existing system should be fully understood, and the state and condition of common schools in the different counties of the Territory thoroughly ascertained, in order that the most effective remedies may be applied, and that a system may be adopted suited to the entire wants of our varied population and our extended Territory. It is conceded, that at the present time, that our system of common school education is so imperfect and defective as to be altogether insufficient to furnish the means of suitable elementary instruction to the youth of our Territory. In some counties one system is adopted, and in some, another; and in few, if any, is there uniformity or efficiency. To examine, therefore, into the existing defects; to ascertain the present condition of common schools in Wisconsin; and to prepare the way for the adoption hereafter of a system of popular elementary instruction, uniform, efficient and permanent, and adapted to the ever-increasing wants of our constantly augmenting population, the committee are of opinion that an agent should be appointed by the Legislature to visit the different counties in the Territory, and the different school districts in those counties; and that it be made the duty of such agent to ascertain the condition of common schools, to collect statistics with regard to the subject of edu cation generally, and to organize, in the several counties, educational associations for the purpose of advancing the cause of common school education in Wisconsin, and also, for the same purpose, to organize in said counties, Teachers' Associa tions, similar to those established within the past few years in the States of New York and Massachusetts, and which have contributed so materially to improve the character of the elementary instruction in those States; and that such agent be required to report the result of his examinations and labors to the next Legislative Assembly of the Territory, accompanied with such suggestions and recommendations as may, in his opinion, be deemed conducive to the advancement of the cause of common schools. The committee believe that the adoption of this course would greatly facilitate future legislation on this important subject, and result in vast and enduring benefits to the people of the Territory, The committee also recommend, in connection with this subject, the appointment by the convention of a committee consisting of ten members, whose duty it shall be to report and submit to the Legislature of Wisconsin, at its next session, an entire and uniform system of common school education for the State of Wisconsin, and slso prepare and report to the same the form of a bill embodying said system. The committee also recommend, in order to carry out more effectually the foregoing suggestion, that a Territorial Educational Association be formed; that the officers of said association shall consist of a President, and also of one Vice President for each county in the Territory, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary and a Treasurer; and that said association shall meet annually at the seat of government of Wisconsin. The committee regard it " among the highest and most important of the duties of legislators to provide as far as may be, by suitable legislation, for the education of the whole people." Upon the importance of a good system of common school education in Wisconsin the committee deem it superfluous to enlarge. Both its importance and its necessity, in a free and republican government, are universally conceded; and the statesman, the philanthropist, and the christian, alike regard as the safeguard of liberty, the support of virtue, and the pillar of religion. All of which is respectfully submitted. MORTIMER M. JACKSON, LEVI HUBBELL, M. FRANK, CALEB CROSWELL, C. M. BAKER, H. M. BILLINGS, Committee. |