USA > Delaware > Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 1 > Part 14
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County Superintendents .- The Governor was directed to appoint on or before the first Mon- day of March a superintendent of each county.
Acts Repealed .- All acts that had been here- tofore passed appropriating any money of the school fund for aid of poor children or encour- agement and support of schools, from 1817 to February 12, 1829, were repealed.
This school law seemed to meet the wants of the people at that time. It was simple and plain. It gave the people a system adapted to the spirit of the times. Resting as it did on the popular will, it threw the responsibility entirely upon those having children to educate to say to what extent they should use their privilege. The State, to encourage and help, offered to share equally in the expense.
Thus by this law Delaware ranged herself side by side with other States in making her schools free, and in the pecuniary encourage- ment which she gave year by year. Various amendments and supplements were made from time to time. In 1830 $300 was made the max- imum amount that any school district could raise by taxation in any one year. In 1833 priv- ilege was given two or more districts to unite for school purposes. Also the time for holding the annual meeting was changed from the second Monday in October to the first Mon- day in October. A supplement was made in 1837 giving the voters the privilege of draw- ing in each district their share of the school fund by raising twenty-five dollars by taxation. In 1845 the time of holding the annual stated meetings was changed from the first Monday in October to the first Saturday in April, 2 o'clock in the afternoon, which time still re- mains as the date of the annual school meet- ings throughout the State.
The term "free" was applied to the school law to indicate two facts: First-that the peo- ple were left free to choose the length of time their schools should be in operation during any one year, and the amount of money to be raised by taxation for the support of the same; thus placing upon the people themselves, voting in the school meetings, the power and responsi- bility of determining whether they would have a good school, an inferior one, or no school. Second-making the title show that the schools in the State were free for every white child to attend, without reference to any money having been paid by its father or guar- dian.
But irresponsible and ignorant voters, to- gether with men who had no direct interest in
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education, labored strenuously year after year [ viding for the education of her subjects. That in the annual meetings to vote down tax, by this avenue should not be closed, wherein the future citizen and voter might allege that an education was impossible, she plainly indicated by these provisions. Further, she declared that it were better to build school-houses, employ teachers and maintain schools than enlarge the almshouses and prisons ; that the amount of illiteracy should be smaller, and that fraud in the ballot, with covered head, should take its place behind the intelligent voter. Before this date it was indeed a critical period an- nually on the first Saturday in April for the youth of the State. Fathers, anxious and considerate for the welfare of their children, with nervous tread and painful forebodings, wended their way yearly to the school meet- ing. The State herself was in suspense and awe awaiting the result of the actions of her subjects. The weal or woe of society hung tremblingly in the balance to be decided by the day's action. so doing to deprive the community of both the aid of the State and assessable property within the districts. Even the poor man, who repre- sented in many cases a large family of chil- dren, whom a public or free school law especially benefited, was found voting against tax. Voting away money, that was lawfully placed within his reach, which would give to his offspring means for future support and hap- piness. Men interested in the prosperity of the State, and the education of the rising gen- eration, petitioned Legislature after Legisla- ture to change this feature of the law. So great. indeed, were the complaints, and so numerous the petitions, that the Legislature of 1861 placed the matter of voting a portion of the money yearly for the maintenance of the schools beyond the caprices, the narrow- heartedness and the prejudices of the voter; thus securing to every district in the State, without reference to the opinions of the voter. It will be noticeable in tracing the history of the free school system in this State, as seen' in the different acts and supplements, to the year 1861 inclusive, that the privilege of voting annually for the maintenance of a free school, was repeatedly abridged, and finally removed from the voter. That the requirement by the State that each district should raise an amount equal to that given from the school fund, was so modified that finally only the sum of twenty-five dollars was required to be raised by taxation to secure a share of the school fund. means of maintaining a school a portion of the year. This act of 1861 emphatically made it the duty "of the school committee in each of the school districts, in their respective coun- ties, in each and every year, in the month of April, and after each annual school meeting, to assess and levy in each of their respective school districts in New Castle County, the sum of seventy-five dollars; in each of the school districts of Kent County, the sum of one hundred dollars; in each of the school districts of Sussex County the sum of thirty Under the law of 1829 the clerk and two commissioners were elected for one year, and at each annual meeting an entire board was elected. This limitation of the term of office of the school committee prevented the ap- pointment of teachers until after the election, or the continuance of the same teacher, no matter how well he suited; consequently an act was passed in 1867 making the term of office three instead of one year. dollars, to be applied to the support of the schools in their districts." Further, giving each district the power by vote to raise by tax more than tlie amount set apart, "provided said sum does not exceed four hundred dollars, exclusive of the amount designated by law." Still further authority was given to the voters to raise by tax "any sum of money not exceed- ing five hundred dollars, for the purpose of build- ing or repairing a school house in their district."
This act of 1861 was a long and grand step in the cause of education in the State. By its provisions no child was to be deprived of an opportunity of attending school or of securing a common school education, throwing the re- sponsibility entirely upon the parent for any neglect. The State fully measured up to her power and responsibility by her action in pro-
There was also, in the general school law, provision made for the appointment of county superintendents, whose duties were to look . after the schools in their respective counties. These officers were not to receive any com- pensation, only necessary expenses being al- lowed them; consequently but few men felt themselves in a position to give their time to this work.
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Judge Hall, however, for a number of years accepted the position as Superintendent of the schools of New Castle County. In school conventions he met delegates from all parts of the county ; discussed methods ; minutely examined their reports with reference to the condition of the schools they represented ; classified their work and published them in pamphlet form for distribution in each district of the county; thus diffusing the needed in- formation, which wonderfully quickened an in- terest in the growing cause. Truly it has been said of this noble man that "the care of the schools was paternal." But with the ex- ception of New Castle County, the office of county superintendent was not filled.
EDUCATIONAL CONVENTION.
In this condition of educational affairs, a number of educators and warm friends of ed- ucation issued a call for an educational mass meeting to be held at Dover, December 23d, 1867, "for a mutual interchange of opinions ; to receive and discuss suggestions of improve- ments in the then existing law." The conven- tion was held at the time and place desig- nated. Among the prominent gentlemen present were J. Alexander Fulton, Esq., Prof. E. D. Porter, Dr. J. E. Clawson, W. F. Causey, Esq., Allen Gawthrop, H. C. Jones, Prof. W. A. Reynolds, Prof. J. C. Harkness, Rev. J. E. Williams, and Rev. Wm. B. Gregg. This convention, remaining in session two days, was highly interesting, and its "proceedings were conducted with signal unanimity, har- mony and good feeling."
A committee was formed to draft a general school code, expressive of the changes desired in the existing school system. This commit- tee, at a meeting of the convention, July 13, 1868, reported such changes in, and additions to, the old free school law as are essentially found in the act of 1875. Two important pro- visions, adopted by that committee, were not, however, incorporated in what is familiarly called the new school law. One was the mode of assessing and collecting taxes for school purposes. The whole matter was taken out of the hands of the uncertain voter, and the uncertain method at that time and now in use, and was transferred to a board of school commissioners of each liundred and town, thus abolishing single school districts and substitu-
ting hundred and town districts instead. The other measure proposed was the appointment of county superintendents, in addition to a State Superintendent, whose duties were dispensed in the counties in which they were appointed.
This convention began a grand work, from which great results sprung. A work that looked towards the ultimate reform of our public school system. This is clearly shown in the fact that in seven years afterward the General Assembly incorporated into a school law substantially the same ideas that were presented by that body, thus proving that the men composing that body were abreast of the times. The result of their labors was placed be- fore the Legislature as early as 1869,in the shape of what was then called "The New School Law," and its adoption was strongly urged, but to no purpose. Also similar efforts were made in 1871 and 1873, which met the same fate, al- though such men as John Hickman, Leander F. Riddle, Charles C. Stockley, Dr. Hugh Martin, and many others, raised their voices in behalf of and lent their influence to this or a like measure. All honor is due those noble men, seconded by many outside of the Gen- eral Assembly for their efforts in behalf of measures for the improvement of our educa- tional system.
Early in the session of the General Assem- bly in 1875, Mr. H. A. Nowland, Chairman of the Committee of Education in the House of Representatives, reported a bill entitled "An act in relation to free schools in Delaware," and five hundred printed copies were scattered over the State. This was the beginning of a struggle which was to end in the complete triumph of the friends of education. Conse- quently on the 25th of March 1875, the act was passed now familiarly known as
"THE NEW SCHOOL LAW OF 1875." SYNOPIS OF THE LAW.
State Superintendent .- A State Superinten- dent is, by this law, to be appointed annually by the. Governor, "to hold his office one year or until his successor shall in like manner be appointed." His duties are to visit every school in the State once a year, noting in a book the modes of discipline, government and plans of instruction in use, to advise with teachers as to the best methods for the advancement of their pupils ; to examine all
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
that may desire to teach; to hold a Teachers' | lege of issuing temporary permits to teachers to teach for thirty days, when in his judgment the interests of education required it.
Institute in each of the counties, at least once a year, of at least three days session, for imparting information and having a general interchange of views of teachers as to the wants of the various schools; to report in writing to the Governor on the first Tuesday in December in each and every year, the con- dition of the schools, and make such recom- mendations and suggestions as he may think proper in regard to a thorough completion of the system.
State Board of Education .- The President of Delaware College, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and State Superintendent com- prise the State Board of Education. The President of Delaware College, by virtue of his office, is President of the Board, and the Auditor is Secretary of the same. The latter officer receives a salary of one hundred dollars per annum. The other members re- ceive no pay The duties of the Board are to determine what text-books shall be used in the schools ; to issue blanks and forms for distribution to the local commissioners, and to demand returns to be made in pursuance thereof; to hear all appeals, and determine, finally, all matters of controversy between the Superintendent and teachers or between commissioners and teachers.
Teachers .- All teachers are required to have a certificate from the State Superintendent, countersigned by the County Treasurer in the county issued, upon the payment of two dol- lars, said certificate setting forth his or her pro- ficiency in the common English branches ; to make out and hand to the commissioners of the district a report setting forth the whole num- ber of pupils attending school during the quar- ter, the text-books used and branches taught.
Revenue .- The manner of raising revenue is the same as in the old law, except that in Sus- sex County each school district is required to raise by taxation not less than sixty dollars annually, instead of thirty, as formerly, and in New Castle County one hundred dollars in- stead of seventy-five, as formerly.
In 1879 an amendment was made to the act of 1875 requiring the Superintendent to issue, as occasion demanded, three grades of certifi- cates, known as the first grade. good for three years, the second for two years, and the third for one year. He was also granted the privi- II
In 188t further amendments were made to the same act, as follows :
I The Governor was directed to appoint an Assistant Superintendent of schools, at a sal- ary of eight hundred dollars a year.
2. The State Superintendent was required to purchase all books necessary to be used in the schools, at the lowest price, and sell them to the clerks of the District upon their written order, at the same price at which they were bought.
3. The minimum age of children attending school, was placed at six instead of five years, as formerly:
The act of 1875, and amendments of which the above is a synopsis, did not abrogate the free school law of 1829, but was merely sup- plemental.
CONCLUSION.
During the years between 1796 and 1829, the annual accretions to the school fund amounted in all to one hundred fifty-eight thousand one hundred and sixty dollars and fifteen cents. ($158,160.15.) The interest of which sum thereafter and the revenue arising from the sale of tavern and marriage licenses were annually disbursed to the schools in the different counties.
Congress of the United States, by an act of June 23d, 1836, authorizing the deposit of the surplus fund in the Treasury of the United States with the several States, placed to the credit of Delaware the sum of two hundred eighty-six thousand seven hundred and fifty- one dollars and forty-nine cents. ($286,751.49.) This amount, by an act of the Legislature of Delaware, was put into the school fund. At this time the permanent school fund amounts to four hundred ninety-five thousand seven hundred and forty-nine dollars. (495,749.00.) The proceeds of this sum, together with the revenue accruing from licenses this year, amounts to the sum of twenty-eight thousand eight hundred and seventy dollars and thirty- five cents, (28,870.35,) to be distributed among the schools in the State. This fund obviates the necessity of assessing and collect- ing what in other States is called State tax for educational purposes.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
Time has, indeed, produced a marked change in educational advantages and privileges. Fifty years ago there were not more than twenty school houses in the State, and these were owned by private individuals. Children ยท were taught mostly in private houses, and none but the wealthier classes could afford, to any great extent, the expenses of tuition. The number of children of school-age was about fifteen thousand in a population of fifty- eight thousand. The branches taught were very primary ; the books were of the crudest kind, and furniture of the rudest material and structure. The teachers were themselves posessed of limited education, and candidates for college courses but rare.
To-day the people own three hundred and sixty-one school houses. These with school grounds and furniture are worth four hundred forty thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight dollars, ($440,788.) This amount added to the permanent school fund makes a total in- vestment of nine hundred and thirty-six thousand five hundred and thirty-seven dol- lars, ($936,537,00) for school purposes.
During the past six years, under the ad- vanced system of education, the public schools of Delaware have improved beyond the ex- pectations of the most sanguine, and educa- tional interests are second to no others in the State.
History of the Education of the Colored Population.
BY HENRY C. CONRAD, ESQ., ACTUARY. President of the City Council of Wilmington.
ELAWARE having been a slave State, no provision was made during the slave holding days to educate the colored people. On the other hand, every ob- stacle was put in the way of their advance- ment and improvement, so that at the close of the war in 1865, a large number of colored children were growing up in the State without any school advantages, giving but little, if any more promise than their fathers before them.
Toward the close of the year 1866, after the establishment of the Freedman's Bureau in Washington, and when an organization had been formed in the city of Baltimore looking toward the aiding and assisting of the colored people of Maryland, it entered into the minds of several gentlemen residing in Wilmington, whose philanthrophy and gener- osity were well known, to organize an associ- ation having for its aim, the establishment and maintenance of schools for the colored people residing in Delaware. The initial meeting was held at the house of William S. Hilles, an influential citizen, on the evening of December
13th, 1866, and the following gentlemen were present : Samuel Hilles, Thomas Kimber, William S. Hilles, William H. Corse, John R. Tatum, Edward Tatrall jr., Joseph Tatnall, William A. Reynolds, Howard M. Jenkins, Richard S. Griffith, Charles W. How- land, Joseph Griffith, Samuel Woolman, Ash- ton Richardson and Dr. William R. Bullock, all residents of Wilmington, and Francis T. King and Dr. Thomas of Baltimore. Out of this preliminary gathering grew a public meet- ing which was held in the Scientific Room of the Wilmington Institute on the evening of December 27th, two weeks later. At this meeting the venerable Judge Willard Hall pre- sided, and addresses, giving full particulars as to the work among the colored people of Maryland, were made by Francis T. King and Judge Bond of Baltimore, and Major General Gregory of the Freedman's Bureau. At a meeting held one week later, Jan., 3d, 1867, the "Delaware Association for the Moral Improve- ment and Education of the Colored People" was regularly organized with Thos. Kimber as President, and Wm. R. Bullock as Secretary.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
At that meeting the number of colored | task was indeed a wearisome one, but by schools in the State was reported as seven. dint of perseverance and good management he accomplished much. He was succeeded by Miss Abbie C. Peckham, who became Actuary in the fall of 1868, and continued to serve, ren- dering valued service, until 1874, when Miss Mary S. Casperson succeeded her, who in turn was succeeded by Mrs. Kate Irvine, and in 1876 Henry C. Conrad was elected Actuary, and has continued in the office until the pres- Three in Wilmington, one at Newport, one at Odessa, and two at Camden. Contributions were asked from persons interested in the work, and the aid of the Freedman's Bureau and other charitably disposed associations was solicited and the progress of the work at once began to appear in the building of school houses, and the opening of schools in diff- erent localities throughout the State. Rev. ent time. (July, 1882). As before stated, the John G. Furey was appointed to superintend the work, and at the end of the first six months he was able to report that fourteen Schools were open and in good condition, seven of which were in New Castle County ; (two in Wilmington,) three in Kent, and four in Sussex county, containing an aggregate of over 700 pupils.
The rule at first adopted was to pay the teacher from the funds at the disposal of the Association, a certain sum per month, leaving the colored people in the vicinit of the schools to pay the teachers' board and the incidental running expenses of the schools. During the first six months the Freedman's Bureau had furnished lumber for school houses in ten places, under the care of the Association.
General Assembly of the State passed an Act at the session of 1875 taxing colored people for the support of their own schools. The money arising from this source is paid to the Association and by it distributed to the re- spective schools. The amount raised by taxa- tion has not been sufficient to meet the ex- penses of the schools; on the contrary it has only met about one-third of the expenses, the other two-thirds being raised by the colored people among themselves. It can readily be seen that this has imposed a very heavy bur- den upon the colored people, and the spirit of heroism and sacrifice shown by them in their efforts to advance their children's welfare is deserving of the highest praise and commenda- tion. The Act referred to, which provided for the taxing of the colored people for school purposes, was the only recognition ever given by the law-making powers of the State as re- regards colored education, until during the winter of 1881, when the General Assembly made an annual appropriation of $2400 to be distributed share and share alike to the colored schools of the State. This appropriation has served as a great incentive to the colored people. It has resulted in relieving them somewhat from the burden of carrying the schools, and has materially increased the num- ber of schools and the number of pupils.
Thus was the work started and so it con- tinued from year to year, until 1875, when an Act was passed by the General As- sembly of the State providing for the tax- ing of colored people for the support of their own schools. The Association during these years received large sums of money from in- terested individuals, and in some instances, from benevolent societies. The colored peo- ple throughout the State heartily seconded the work of the Association. The pittance which was donated by the Association from month to month was added to by the contri- During the last school year 67 schools have been open in the State, with an enrollment of about 3500 pupils. The work of the Association has been thoroughly and efficiently done. With the limited means at its disposal it has sought to lend a helping hand to a cause which has been dear to the heart of each one of its mem- bers. With a quietness which of itself be- tokens earnestness, the work has continued from year to year, and looking back over the fifteen years in which the work has gone on, it bution of those of the colored people who had children in the schools, and thus a sufficient sum was raised to keep the schools open for a short term during the winter months. Rev. J. G. Furey was the first Actuary or Superin- tendent of the colored schools. Under his wise direction the beginning was made, and many of the most important points were well covered before he gave way to Samuel Wool- man, his successor. Mr. Woolman's efforts were crowned with abundant success. His| is a matter of congratulation to see the col-
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ored schools of the State a recognized institu- ! by the times. A system should be devised tion in which the great majority of the people, regardless of party lines, take a just pride. The achievements made are but a sound beginning. The near future it is hoped has in store much better things. A revised school system for the entire State, which will include separate schools for the colored people, with every facility accorded the colored children as are allowed to the white children, is demanded
whereby white and colored people would bear equally the burdens of taxation, and out of a common fund, schools for both classes should be maintained. To this end the friends of the colored schools who have borne "the heat and burden of the day" are anxiously looking, and the evidences of darkness and prejudice now disappearing, lead to the encouraging hope that the day is beginning to break.
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