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the education of their children, that the teachers still find it impossible to secure a prompt attendance of the scholars. Another difficulty with which the teachers have to contend, consists in the fact that all the text books in use are in a language that the pupils do not understand; consequently none but teachers of unusual patience and tact can succeed in making even moderate progress in these schools.

In places where schools have been longest in progress, there is better attendance and more decided improvement, not only in the advancement in education and knowledge of the English language by the pupils in the schools, but the people generally are becoming better informed as to current events and everything that appertains to their welfare, social comfort, and civilization; many of them take regularly weekly and daily papers, magazines, &c., and are well posted in relation to the affairs of the country. A large number of them have enlisted in the army, and fight as bravely as other men to put down the rebellion, inspired by motives-judging by the letters they write to their friends-truly patriotic, based upon an enlightened view of the cause of the rebellion and the importance of putting it down.

Since the date of my last report, the national council have passed an act authorizing the election of a trustee by the people. of each school district. The principal duty of said trustees, is to furnish wood for the use of the schools. They are authorized to levy a tax on all the men residing in their respective districts, and in case the wood is not furnished by the time designated, to collect the amount of the tax by seizure and sale of property. Thus far the law has been well executed, and wood for the schools has been furnished better than ever before. Thus it will be seen that one of the benefits resulting from the system of schools established by the State for this people is, that they are learning how to make and execute good laws, and that they appreciate the good results that they are deriving from the effort that the State is making to educate their children.

There are three or four districts in which no school-houses have been erected, and they can have schools only when houses can be rented for that purpose; consequently the children in these localities have received but little benefit from the funds appropriated for their education. These districts are in the

newest settlements, and the people are not able to build schoolhouses without aid. I call your attention to this subject, hoping that the state of the funds at your disposal will admit of your granting the aid required.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. M. PETTIT

(E.)

TABLE showing the time the Indian schools were in session during the school year 1862-3, and the number of pupils in attendance. Oneida Reservation:

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Comparative statistics for the last four years.

1859. 50 counties, 51 institutes, amount paid, $4,931.38.

Teachers in attendance, 6,766.

Average per county, 1351.

Average per institute, 1321.

Expense per county, (average,) $98.621.

Expense per teacher, 721⁄2c.

1860. 47 counties, 54 institutes, amount paid, $6,419.62.

Teachers in attendance, 5,913.

Average per county, 125.

Average per institute, 109.

Expense per county, (average,) $136.58.

Expense per teacher, $1.08.

1861. 48 counties, 52 institutes, amount paid, $8,092.77.

Teachers in attendance, 7,556.

Average per county, 1571.

Average per institute, 145.

Expense per county, (average,) $168.60.

Expense per teacher, $1.07.

1862. 52 counties, 62 institutes, amount paid, $8,665.16.

Teachers in attendance, 9,444.

Average per county, 181.

Average per institute, 1521.

Expense per county, (average,) $166.63.

Expense per teacher, 913c.

*No full statistics of institutes are in possession of this Department prior to 1859. There is, however, sufficient evidence of a gradual and healthful growth annually since 1854.

(G.)

REPORTS OF CITY SUPERINTENDENTS AND SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

In a circular forwarded to the city superintendents and school commissioners, in September last, those officers were requested to make, in connection with their annual statistical reports, "written reports" in regard to the condition of public instruction within their several jurisdictions; and the following "Schedule of Desiderata" and directions in regard to it, accompanied that request:

"COMMON SCHOOLS. Attendance and non-attendance of persons of school age; effect of the rate-bills on attendance, and public sentiment in regard to them; provisions for instruction of pupils, including character and condition of school-houses, their sites and outbuildings, their furniture, and the mode in which they are warmed and ventilated; the kind and supply of school apparatus and text books, the branches of study most generally pursued; the ages at which pupils begin and end their attendance, and the whole time they are allowed to attend schools; general progress of these schools, and their most urgent wants.

"TEACHERS. Proportion of male and female, and of those who follow teaching as a permanent and as a temporary employment; months or years they generally devote to teaching as a business, and their wages in summer and in winter; their attendance on teachers' institutes and associations; character of the examinations to which you subject them; branches of study which you find them best prepared to teach, and those in which they are most deficient; proportion who have studied some work treating of the "Theory and Practice of Teaching;" grades of certificate granted annually; demand for teachers of high qualifications and the supply; number of Normal school graduates and undergraduates employed in the common schools, their success, influence and zeal for improvement, and the demand for their services.

"ACADEMIES. Number of students in attendance, and proportion of different ages; buildings, libraries, apparatus-chemical and philosophical; studies generally pursued in them; wages paid their teachers; their sources of support and rates of tuition; practical benefit to the common schools of the teachers' classes taught in those selected for the purpose by the Regents of the University.

"PRIVATE SCHOOLS. Number of; increase or decrease as compared with former years; number of pupils in attendance on them.

"PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS. Number of, attendance on, &c.

"" 'SCHOOLS FOR COLORED CHILDREN. Number and location of; number of pupils instructed in; provision for their support.

"UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. Number of, organized under the law of 1853; their location.

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