cannot fail to contribute greatly to their improvement in a branch of education which has been too much neglected. From Rev. Dr. Tappan, Augusta, Me.-The design of this book is one of high importance. So far as I can judge of its merits from that portion of it which I have had the opportunity of examining, I am prepared to recommend it as a valuable addition to American School Books From Rev. Emerson Davis, D D., Member of the Mass Board of Education.-I have read with no small degree of interest the sheets of the Manual of Morals, and cheerfully recommend it to School Committees and Teachers It inculcates a system of sound morality, based on the Bible, and contains nothing sectarian. Such a book is great desideratum, and I hope it may be introduced into all our schools. From Rev. Sylvester Judd.-I cordially recommend this Manual to the attention of the public. The want of such a text book is seriously felt, and the work before us seems admirably adapted to meet that want. From Rev. Jonas Burnham, Principal of the Female Academy, Augusta, Me.-This is an excellent work, and it appeared at the right time. We have good books on most subjects essential to education, but have felt great inconvenience from want of one on morals, well adapted to interest and instruct the majority of the pupils in our academies and public schools This work is prepar ed with that design, and is admirably fitted to its object. I shall immediately adopt it. Just published by July 16 ALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS. JOHN P. JEWETT. HOGAN THOMPSON, Philadelphions for Publied by Hodiers of the City and State of New-York: The North American Arithmetic.-Part First. For Young Learners By Frederick Emerson, late Principal in the Depart ment of Arithmetic, Boylston School, Boston. The North American Arithmetic. Part Second. Uniting Oral and Written exercises in corresponding chapters. By Frederick Emerson. The Key to the North American Arithmetics, by Fre derick Emerson. The Third Class Reader, for the Younger Classes in Schools. By B. D. Emerson. The Second Class Reader, for the Middle Classes in Schools. By B. D. Emerson. The First Class Reader. For the use of the Advanced Classes in Schools. By B. D. Emerson. Russell's History of Greece and Rome-The publishers beg leave to call the attention of Teachers and School Committees to the above series of School Books. Emerson's Arithmetics are now used and highly approved of by a large number of the public and private schools of the country. Emerson's Class Readers are widely known for the chasteness and appropriateness of the to the head and neart of the learner. BROWN'S GRAMMAR. THE FIRST SERIES and the Institutes of English Grammar, by GOOLD BROWN, have been seve. ral years before the public, and have been adopted as the Text Books in this department of learning, in many of the Academies, District and Norial Schools, throughout the country. Although several new Grammars have been published within a few years, and much effort made to introduce them to public favor, yet. from the increased demand for Brown's works, the publishers confidently believe, that practical Teachers still regard them as the best yet published. Teachers and literary gentlemen in various parts of the Union, have given strong recommendations in favor of these Grammars, among which are the following: Goold Brown's Grammar is the most scientific and decidedly popular Grammar of the English Language now extant. It has been recommended by several County Superintendents, and adopted by a majority of the Common Schools."-Rochester Evg Post. "This is a work which has stood the test of many years' expe rience in some of the best institutions in the country."-Albany Evening Journal. "A work that is so highly recommended by Emerson, Griscom, Col. Stone, and such an array of Deputy Superintendents, must possess superior merit. Having examined the work ourselves, we are satisfied of its superiority, and 'give our voice for its introduction into our schools."- Oswego Palledium. "A work perhaps the very best of its kind. and of which the accuracy is far more than usual."-Edgar A. Poe. "I do not hesitate to pronounce them the very best treatises that have fallen under my observation, in simplicity and perspicuity of style, systematic and philosophical arrangement, I think Mr. Brown admirably excels." CHARLES EDWARDS. Instructor of North School for Boys, Marblehead, Ms. SAMUEL S. & WILLIAM WOOD, BURNHAM BOTH and 40 Cornhill. Boston, Mass. ing an immense collection of nearly Two Hundred Thousand THE SUBSCRIBERS would call the attention of School Teach ers to the following publications: GUMMERE'S SURVEYING.-A Treatise on Surveying, containing the Theory and Practise; to which is prefixed a perspicuous system of Plane Trigonometry. The whole clearly demonstrated and illustrated by a large number of appropriate examples, particularly adapted to the use of schools. By John Gummere, A. M. This is the Standard Treatise on this science now in use in this country; and as a clear, practical exposition, is unequalled by any other work on the subject GRAECA MAJORA-2 vols., 8vo. This work is particularly LSICAL GEOGRAPHY, by SOMERVILLE, auther of EA & BLANCHARD, Philadelphia, publish this day, PHY- With American Notes, Glossary. & c. In one neat royal 12mo. volume, extra cloth, of over 500 pages. The great success of this work, and its introduction into many of the higher Schools and Academies, have induced the Publishers to prepare a new and much improved editior. In addition to the corrections and improvements of the author, bestowed on the work in its passage through the press, a second time in London, notes have been introduced to adapt it more fully to the Physical Geography of this country; and a comprehensive glossary has been added, rendering the volume more particularly suited to educational purposes The amount of these additions may be underatood from the fact, that not only has the size of the page been increased, but the volume itself enlarged by over one hundred and fifty pages. At the same time, we are anxious to recommend to our youth the enlarged method of studying geography, which her present work demonstrates to be as captivating as it is instructive. Nowhere, except in her own previous work, The Connexion of the Physical Sciences, is there to be found so large a store of well selected information, so lucidly set forth. In surveying and grouping together whatever has been seen by the eyes of others, or detected by their laborious investigations, she is not surpassed by any one. We have no ob scurities other than what the imperfect state of science itself involves her in: no dissertations which are felt to interrupt or delay. She strings her beads distinct and close together. With quiet percaptivating in her subject. Therefore it is we are for the book; and we hold such presents as Mrs. Somerville has bestowed upon the public, to be of incalculable value, disseminating more sound accomplish in a whole cycle of their existence.-Blackwood's Ma information than all the literary and scientific institutions will gazine. While reading this work we could not help thinking how interesting, as well as useful, geography as a branch of education might accomplished. It is to be hoped that this defect will be remedied; be made in our Schools. In many of them, however, this is not and that in all our educational institutions geography will soon be respect, be pointed to as a model.-Tait's Edinburgh Magazine. taught in the proper way. Mrs Somerville's work may, in this Ha UNTINGTON & SAVAGE, Publishers, Booksellers, and tion of Sohool Committees. Superintendents, Principals of AcadeStationers. No. 216 Pearl-street. [New-York, solicit the attenmies, High Schools, and teachers generally, to the following TEXT BOOKS, embracing some of the best and most reliable in the United States and corrections as new discoveries in science and the improved Burritt's Geography of the Heavens.-A revised edition, nearly Mitchel's Burritt's Geography of the Heavens, with a new starchart. Prof. O M. MITCHEL, the Director of the Cincinatti Observatory, has for several years past been co-operating with the leading Astronomers and Observatories of Europe, in exploring and classifying the objects of the Stellar Heavens. This edition contains all these results. He has added notes throughout, giv ing directions for the use of the telescope, the locality and time for finding every object. The star-chart embraces 27 quarto maps, which in connection with Burritt's corrected Atlas, and Mattison's illustrated book and maps, form the most valuable and complete elementary course in Astronomy ever presented to the public. SERIES OF BOOKS BY S. G. GOODRICH, A. M. National Geography-Quarto. New and greatly improved edition, with 60 colored Stylographic Maps and Globe Map. One of the best Geographies now published. Peter Parley's New Geography for Beginners. In stiff covers. Pictorial Histories-United States. England, France, Greece and Rome, 12 mo. From 350 to 400 pages eoch: by S. G Good. rich. Blending in their arrangement, in the most admirable manner, Chronology and Geography, and fully illustrated by portraits of the distinguished men of the period treated. Webster's Dictionaries- University, High School, Primary, Pronouncing and Pocket Editions. Since the publication of the unabridged large quarto edition in one volume, these several forms have been thoroughly revised and conformed, in all respects, to the quarto, by Wm. G. Webster, Esq, son of the author, and Professor Chauncey A. Goodrich, of Yale College. This work has already been adopted as the standard in the pub lic schools of New-York, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia, and the circulation of these forms of the work is rapidly extending. Pinney's French Books-First Book in French, 18 mo., 286 pages. First Book with Key, 18 mo., 280 pages Pinney's Practical French Teacher, 12 mo 380 pages. Key to Practical French Teacher, 18 mo. These are the best works now published for learning the French Language. The plan is that of MANESCA, but more practical in its details, and aims not only to secure much greater interest, on the part of the pupil, but a more rapid acquisition. PINNEY commences with the simplest elements of the language, and advances, one by one, through all the parts of speech. Each lesson is an actual conversation in the language, and these are progressive and systematic. These works are rapidly taking the place of other French works of the kind where. ever they become known. Professor WHEATON, of Harvard University, says of the Teacher: "It is an improvement on those works of a similar nature here. tofore published, and has several advantages over them." Professor C. LE FEVER, of New-York, expresses the most decided opinion in its favor, and says he has adopted it in his private instruction, and in all the schools in which he is engaged. Professor DROUIN, of Philadelphia, says: "PINNEY'S Practical French Teacher is better calculated than any other manual to impart rapidity to the student a knowledge of the French language, both written and spoken." Rev. HUBBARD WINSLOW, of Boston, Principal of the Young La dies' Select School, Bowdoin Place, says, he gives it the decided preference over any other he has used; he says further, that no Hymn Tunes, Anthems, Chants, Choruses, and Set Pieces, Original and Selected The Elementary principles are arranged in such a manner. that a full set of Exercises are presented for the practice of Elementary Classes, thus saving the labor of writing Blackboard Lessons, and greatly facilitating the progress of a class. In addition to an unusually great variety of New Music, most of the o standard tunes are contained in the work, published in a form which occupies but little room. The Authems are of a very popu lar character, great care having been exercised in their selection and arrangement A set of Solfreggio Exercises, for training Choirs, is embraced in the work, and also a Chorister's Index, which contains the first line of a large portion of the Hymns in common use, with reference to the tunes in this work adapted to each hymn. The Editors of this work, from many years' experience as Teachers and Conductors of Music in some of the principal churches of with the wants of Choirs and Schools Boston, have had unusual opportunities for becoming acquainted The views of many experienced teachers, residing in various parts of the country, have also been consulted, and it is believed that no work has ever been of fered which will enable teachers to instruct their classes with equal facility and success. The Chorister's Index is adapted with particular reference to the Church Psalmody, Psalms and Hymns by the General Association of Connecticut, Watts' and Select Hymns, and many others. Teachers and others are requested to examine the work. I have been constantly using the Bay State Collection since its publication, in several singing schools, and I most cheerfully recommend it as the best adapted and most convenient book for the purpose that I have ever met with. I give it a decided preference over any similar publication, and believe the preference will be sustained by all who will make a trial of its merits It greatly relieves the labor of the teacher, simplifies the course of instruction and facilitates the progress of the pupils. J. C CRAM, Teacher of Music. INTELLECTUAL ARITHMETIC. JOHN THE AMERICA Principal of the Liberty Normal Institute, de published by NAFIS & CORNISH, New-York This book is an improvement on the Peztalozian and Colburn plan of teaching, and ought to be in ali the elementary Schools of our country. It treats practically of the elementary rules of Fractions, of Interest, Discount and per centage, in a way that cannot fail to engage attention NAFIS & CORNISH have also recently published a SCRIPTURE READER, intended as a reading book in our common schools. This book is compiled by the Rev M W. Everts and the Rev W H. Wyckoff, of this city, and is recommended by many of the best teachers, as superior to any thing of the kiud before the public. Swan's Readers. teacher will use it without feeling grateful to its author for doingTMAS COWPERTHWAIT & Co., Philadelphia, and D. se valuable a service for all who desire kundedagowali sho school. Professor DE LAPLACE, says he has introduced it with great suc cess, and that it combines many advantages over MANESCA and others; and he heartily recommends it to teachers of French throughout the United States. It is also strongly recommended by the Principals of a large num ber of the first Academies in the United States. Just Published-Pinney's Progressive French Reader, suited to the gradual advancement of learners generally, with Notes and Lexicon, especially adapted to the Practical French Teacher, and forming in all, the most valuable series to be found in this branch. Professor PINNEY is a very thorough English scholar, and had Also Just Published-The Normal Readers, in Four Parts: Nos Youth Song Book, by I B WOODBURY; containing 100 most ster- The American Musical Review, by I. B. WOODBURY. and issued quarterly, from Jan. 1. 1850: a quarto work, of 16 pages, and each number to contain 8 pages of new sterling sacred and ballad music. The reading matter to be devoted to the elevation of church music, and to musical news, American and Foreigntwo pages of literary news. Terms-50 cents per annum, in advance. JEW SACRED MUSIC BOOK, entitled THE BAY STATE NECOLLECTION, with special exercises and adaptations to singing schools and choir practice By A N JOHNSON, Organist at Park street church. Boston; JOSIAH OSGOOD, Organist at Winnissimet church, Chelsea; and SUMNER HILL, Organist at Old South Church, Boston One of the most complete collections of Sacred Music ever published, suited to the wants of all christian denominations, and to the various occasions of public, congregational and social worship. Published by WILKINS, CARTER & CO, The work contains a Boston; and for sale by all Booksellers large amount of music, embracing a great variety of Psalm and BIXBY School. Boston: of the Mayhew The Second Part contains Exercises in Articulation, arranged in connection with easy Reading Lessons. The Third Part is for the highest classes in Primary Schools, and the lowest class in Grammar Schools, thus enabling the pupil to review his studies after entering the Grammar School. The Grammar School Reader.-This book is designed to follow the Primary School Readers. It contains Exercises in Articulation, Pauses, Inflections of the Voice, &c, with such rules and suggestions as are deemed useful to the learner. These Exercises The Instructive Reader -This book, as its title indicates. conand Rules are arranged in connection with the Reading Lessons. sists of a course of Reading Lessons in Natural History, Science and Literature, and although but recently published, it has been introduced by vote of the several School Committees, into the Public Schools of Boston. Rodney. Cambridge. Salem, Providence, R. I., Rochester, N Y., Utica, and many other places The District School Reader. -This book is designed for the highest classes in Public and Private Schools. In addition to the Rules and Exercises arranged in connection with the Reading Lessons, it also contains a complete Glossary of the Classical allusions to be found in the book ALSO IN PRESS: The Introduction to the Instructive Reader, which will be ready in November, in season for the commencement of the Winter Schools. POPULAR SCHOOL BOOKS. NEW ELOCUTIONARY WORKS. BY HENY B. MAGALATHIM, A. M. THE NATIONAL SPEAKER, Third Edition. Containing exercises, original and selected, in prose, poetry and dialogue, for declamation and recitation; and an elocutionary analysis, exhibiting a clear explanation of principles, with rules for each element of oral expression, practically illustrated in a systematic course of lessons, handsomely printed and bound. pp. 324, 12mo. THE PRACTICAL ELOCUTIONIST, or the Principles of Elocution rendered easy of comprehension, with rules for each element of oral expression practically illustrated in a systematic course of progressive exercises. Designed for common schools and academies. 12mo. mor. Retail price, 20 cts Since the first edition of the above works was issued a few months ago, they have met with a very favorable reception, and Part 1 embraces elementary lessons in common things, 2. CLARK'S ELEMENTS OF DRAWING, two parts in one, 63 cents. Part 1 embraces exercises for the slate. Part 2 embraces the priuciples of drawing and perspective. With but very few exceptions, children are fond of making efforts in drawing. Furnished with a black lead pencil and sheet of paper, or slate and pencil, they are delighted to scribble whatever their fancy suggests. Followed up methodically by the teacher, their infant aspirations may lead to the development of much valuable talent. Illustrated by engravings. 3. CHAMBERS' ELEMENTS OF NATURAL PHI oblique lines, which aid in sloping letters, and attaining a move ment of the whole hand without the restraint incident to their use as heretofore practiced; in the distinct proportions of letters, secured by horizontal and oblique lines and dots; in the exhibition of the most common errors of learners, &c., &c. Valuable Mathematical Works. The attention of teachers is earnestly directed to the following valuable Text books which have received the highest recommendatlon from qualified judges, and are believed to be unsurpassed by any other works on the subjects on which they treat. Adams' Arithmetical Series. I.-Primary Arithmetic, or Mental Operations in Numbers; being an introduction to Adams' New Arithmetic half bound 28 revised edition, 18mo, II.-Adams' New Arithmetic, revised edition; being a revision of Adams' New Arithmetic, first published half bound 45 in 1827, 12mo. III.-Key to the revised edition of Adams' New Arithmetic, 12mo. half bound 45 IV.-Mensuration, Mechanical Powers, and Machinery, (in press) Preston's System of Book-Keeping, BY LYMAN PEKSTON. District School Book-Keeping, quarto. An excellent work for beginners; printed on handsome demy writing paper for 31 practice, 63 Single Entry Book-Keeping, royal 8vo, Book Keeping, single and double entry, enlarged and improved, royal 8vo. half bound, cloth sides 1 13 McCurdy's Geometry, By D. McCURDY. half bound 3. First Lessons in Geometry, 12mo. Charts to do do on rollers, (size 34 by 48 inches, for the two Euclid's Elements, or Second Lessons in Geometry, 12mo, half bound COLLINS & BROTHER, Publishers, 6.00 254 Pearl-street. N. Y 50 ARK H. NEWMAN & CO.'S LIST OF VA LOSOPHY, 3 parts in one, roc. Part 1 embraces laws of M LUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS. matter and motion. Part 2 embraces Mechanics. Part 3 embraces Hydrostatics, Hydraulics and Pneumatics. In the treatment of the several subjects great care has been taken to render the language simple and intelligible. Illustrated by wood engravings. 4. REID & BAIN'S CHEMISMRY & ELECTRICITY, 75c. Part 1 embraces illustrations and experiments of the Chemical Phenomena of daily Life. By D. B. Bitaduer Danny Electricity. inventor of Electric and Telegraphic clocks. This work is designed to facilitate the introduction of Chemistry as an elementary branch of education in schools. Illustrated by engravings. 5. HAMILTON'S VEGETABLE & ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY, 75 cents. Part 1 embraces the general structure and functions of plants. Part 2 embraces the organization of animals. The object of this work is to unite Vegetable and Animal Physiology, and bring both systems under one head, as properly connected and adapted to the mind of the student. 6. CHAMBERS' ELEMENTS OF ZOOLOGY. Illus $1. Presenting a complete view of the Animal Kingdom as a portion of external nature. sition of one of the most eminent physiologists of our As the compoage, it possesses an authority not attributable to such treatises in general. 7. PAGE'S ELEMENTS OF GEOLOGY. Illus. 75c. The subject is here presented in its two aspects of interesting and important. Interesting, inasmuch as it exhibits the progressive conditions of the earth from the remotest periods, and reveals the character of the plants and animals which have successively adorned and peo-pled its surface; and important, as it deterines the position of those metals and minerals upon which the arts and manufactures so intimately depend. Teachers wishing to examine the above books, with reference to their adaptation as text books for their schools, shall be furnished with copies for that purpose at one-half the above retail prices. Thomson's Table Book." Thomson's Mental Arithmetic. Thomson's Practical Arithmetic. Thomson's High Arithmetic. These Arithmetics have been published less than four years, and yet such is their merit in the estimation of practical teachers, that they have been adopted, and are now in use in the public schools of the cities of New-York, Brooklyn, Hartford, Springfield, Bridgeport, Barh Buffallen Day we best acaDetroit, Syracuse, Azdemies and Schools in the various States of the Union. Teachers are furnished with copies of either for examination with a view to use. SANDERS' SERIES OF SCHOOL BOOKS. Comprising Reader, First Book, 120 pp. Sanders' School Reader, Sanders' Pictorial Primer, 48 pp. Sanders' School Second Book, 180 pp. Sanders' School Reader, Third Book, 250 pp. Sanders' School Reader, Fourth Book, 304 pp. Sanders' School Reader, Fifth Book, 456 pp. Sanders' Spelling Book. Five Millions sold, and the demand constantly increasing, No series of school books, during the short period tion, or been so favorably received by teachers and from their first publication, has had so wide a circulathe friends of education, as Sanders' Series of Reading Books. They have been officially adopted in almost every county in the State of New-York, as the uniform New-England, and in the Southwest and WesternStates. series of text-books. The are also extensively used in Wilson's Historical Series.-Wilson's Juvenile American History; Wilson's History of the United States; Wilson's American His tory; Wilson's Chart of American History; Wilson's Outlines of General History, (in preparation.) Wilson's Histories have re. ceived the unqualified recommendation of many of the first scholars in our country. Porter's Rhetorical Reader; Gray's Elements of Chemistry for Schools, and we believe that none better are to be found than THE VOL. X.] OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. ALBANY, MARCH 1850. The District School Journal, I pablished monthly, and is devoted exclusively to the promo- SAMUEL S. RANDALL, EDITOR. vance. [No. XII. minate here. The haloes or nebulous atmospheres of these stars become more faint and diminish in diame. ter until the object in view assumes the form of a fixed star distinguished from its companions by a small and almost imperceptible halo. From these phenomena Herschel concluded that notwithstanding the changes Stool Journal, should be directed to the Editor, Albany, N. Y. of the individual nebulæ might extend over periods Post Paid. From the Steam Press of Weed, Parsons & Co., 67 Statestreet, Albany. Physical Science. The Nebular Hypothesis. The observations which led Herschel to his well known hypothesis in reference to the nebulæ, are recorded in the paper submitted by him to the Royal Society in 1811. The first, or (as he conjectures) the original condition of the luminous fluid, is its perfect diffusion throughout the regions of space. In more advanced objects there are a greater or less number of spots, brighter than the general mass. In a third class, these spots increase in brightness, and length like nuclei around which the nebulous matter is condensing in virtue of some internal attractive energy. In a class still farther advanced, is presented the phenomena of groups of nebulous matter, with two or more centres of condensation about to break up or to divide into separate round nebulæ. appear at The process of separation seems to have proceeded farther in a fifth class, the original matter having actually become broken up, preserving close relations of contiguity, and sometimes apparently resting on a very faint oval bed of light. Whatever the number of nuclei, the phenomena are substantially the same: And a perfect and continuous gradation seems thus established of regular circular bodies, increasing in brightness and in compression towards their centre. too vast to admit of human observation, their masses were nevertheless ultimately destined to be transformed, in virtue of regular laws, into organized stars, and that this slow transforming process was the proximate origin of the varied phenomena of the stellar heavens. Falling Stars. It has been demonstrated that these meteors move miles in a second-as swiftly as the earth in its orbit: through the air with the average velocity of twenty in any volcanic eruption, lunar or terrestrial, or any a velocity altogether too great to have had its origin conceivable explosion, while it is much too small to be attributed to electricity. From a variety of observations made in Europe, it has also been demonstrated that this velocity is not uniform in all meteoric bodies, but that it ranges from ten to two hundred and fifty miles per second-the least velocity being too great to belong to a satellite of the earth, and the greatest tenfold more than sufficient to throw a body out of the region of the sun's influence. The height of the mcteors was likewise found to vary from six to six hundred miles. Proper Motions of the Stars. Minute changes in the places of certain of the fixed stars have been discovered by modern astronomers, which force upon us the conclusion either that our solar system causes an apparent displacement of certain stars, by a motion of its sun in space, or that they have themselves a proper motion. Some years since Sir William Herschel supposed he had detected chan By contemplating the separate nebula in conjunction with their combination into nuclei, Herschel dis-ges of this kind among two sets of stars in opposite covered that far the greater number of the former points of the heavens, from which he drew the infewere spherical, and that they were arranged in a re- rence that the solar system was in motion towards a gular series, each successive term of which evinced a point in the constellation Hercules; but other astrono progressive augmentation of light about the centre. mers have not found the changes in question such as After passing through classes of objects characterized would correspond to this motion or to any motion of by a gradually increasing indefinite illumination, he at the sun: And while it is a matter of general belief length recognized a defined central disc, which became that the sun has a motion in space, the fact is not connore and more defined and concentrated until he ar-sidered established. The stars being the points of ived at the nebulous stars. Nor does the series ter departure from which all celestial measures are taken, they may, with the consent of a majority of the inhabitants present at any legal district meeting called for that purpose, allow the school house to be used for a private school for the benefit of the inhabitants of the district; or for any other proper purpose when not required for a district school. Wages of Teachers. 66 or Section Another mode of remedying the evil is provided by statute, and should be adopted as it accords with the spirit of the act, providing for Free Schools. By the 4th Subdivision of Section 4 of title 9 of Chapter 11 of the first part of the Revised Statutes, the Board of Supervisors of each county at its annual meeting, at any other meeting" has power to perform all other 4. Trustees are bound to carry out the vote of their duties" which may be enjoined upon them by any law district as to the aggregate amount to be expended dur- of this State." This specific duty is not " enjoined" ing the ensuing year, for teachers' wages, or for any in the preceding subdivison of the section. other specified object of expenditure passed upon by 9 of the same Statute provides for the calling of spethe district and they should be governed by the ex-cial meetings of the Board of Supervisors of any county. pressed wishes of the district as to the length of time The second section of the "Act establishing Free a school should be taught, and the compensation of Schools, "enjoins it as a duty on the several Boards of the teacher employed, so far as may be practicable. Supervisors at their annual meeting to cause to be The law, however, leaves it discretionary with them levied and collected, &c., an amount equal to the to contract with teachers on such terms as they may amount of the state school moneys apportioned to such deem expedient: and this discretion cannot be con- county, &c. I am inclined to regard the act as directrolled by a vote of the district. tory, so far as it relates to the time of performing this duty enjoined on them. by the board, and if it should not be performed at the annual meeting, it is fairly within the scope of the power provided for in the 4th section of the Revised Statutes above referred to, and may be performed at any other meeting, Teachers lists of attendance. 5. Teachers are still required to keep a daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly list of attendance of pupils, to enable the Trustees to report to the Department annually, the number of children in attendance for Many of the boards finally adjourned before it was the respective periods of two, four, six, eight, ten and officially known that the free system had been adoptwelve months. It is the duty of the Trustees to fur-ted by the people, and doubtless in other instances, nish them with the necessary blank books for this pur- the annual meeting of the board was held before the pose. election, and consequently before the act became a CHRIS. MORGAN, Supt. Com. Schools. SECRETARY'S OFFICE, Ր . The Hon. L. S. CHATFIELD, Atty. Genl: CHRISTOPHER MORGAN, Hon. CHRISTOPHER MORGAN, Secy. of State. law. In other counties the board adjourned its annual meeting to a time which would enable them to carry the law into effect in the event of its adoption by the people, thus producing inequality and want of uniformity in the operation of this benign system, much to be regretted, unless the remedy above suggested is available. I have no doubt that the tax may be levied at a special meeting of the board in those counties where the annual meeting adjourned without levying vote of the people, and in my opinion it is the duty of the tax, as well as in those counties where the annual the boards thus circumstanced, to adopt this course of the law was submitted to the proceedure, and save much litigation which is likely to grow out of their failure to levy the tax. Very respectfully, LEVI S. CHATFIELD, Atty. Genl. Powersand Duties of Inhabitants and Trustees of Districts under the New School Law. SECRETARY'S OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS. Albany, Dec. 29, 1849. HON. AMBROSE L. JORDAN, Att'y Gen'l, &c. any of the counties of this State, to raise the additional Very respectfully, Your obed't serv't, ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, HoN. CHRISTOPHER MORGAN, Supt. of Com. Schools. |