USA > Michigan > Gazetteer of the State of Michigan, in three parts with a succinct history of the State, from the earliest period to the present time with an appendix, containing the usual statistical tables, and a directory for emigrants, &c > Part 12
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The qualified voters, when assembled at any legal district meeting, have power to designate or change the site for a school-house, and purchase or lease the same-to build, purchase, or lease a school-house, and impose a tax for the purpose, not exceeding five hundred dollars in a year, and such other taxes, from time to time, as may be necessary for the support of a school-to determine the length of time (not less than three months,) a school shall be kept,
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EDUCATION .- UNIVERSITY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL LANDS.
and to fix the amount of money in addition to the appor- tionment, which may be raised for the support of a school the ensuing year, which sum is not to exceed ninety dollars.
Those districts procuring a library case and imposing a tax not exceeding ten dollars a year for the support of a library, are entitled to their proportion of all the clear pro- ceeds of all fines collected in the several counties for any breach of the penal laws ; and also their proportion of the equivalent for the exemption from military duty, for the support of the district library.
UNIVERSITY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL LANDS.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, who has their care and disposition, was authorized to sell, at public auc- tion, at the limited minimum price of twenty dollars per acre, so much of the University lands, as shall amount to a sum not exceeding five hundred thousand dollars ($500,- 000) ; and so much of the primary school lands, at a limited minimum price of eight dollars per acre, as will amount to a sum not exceeding one million five hundred thousand dol- lars ($1,500,000). The terms of payment being, one tenth of the purchase money in cash, the remainder in annual instalments of ten per cent., at an interest of seven per cent. to be paid annually at such place as shall be specified in the instrument of security. In the discretion of the superin- tendent, security in addition to the ten per cent. purchase money may be required. On the sale of any lands, the purchaser takes immediate possession, and is entitled to a certificate of the sale, which includes the conditions upon which the sale is made ; and in case of the performance of the conditions therein contained, he is entitled to a convey- ance of the land in fee simple ; but upon failure, he forfeits all right to the land, and it reverts immediately to the State, and is again subject to sale by the superintendent as before.
All moneys arising from these sales, are to be deposited in the State treasury, and upon application, to be loaned to the several counties, to an amount not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars to each; the county receiving the same, agreeing, by its proper officers, to pay the interest annually,
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and the principal when called for after the expiration of ten years. After supplying the counties applying for the mo- ney, the balance is loaned to individuals on bond and mortgage upon unincumbered lands, which, exclusive of buildings, are valued at double the amount of the money loaned. Lands remaining unsold, the superintendent is authorized to lease for a term not exceeding three years.
The foregoing embrace the main principles, the out- lines, constituting the frame-work of the public system of education, and the means for its support, established in the State of Michigan. As a system, taken in all its ramifica- tions, it is undoubtedly equal, if not superior, to that of any other State. The plan of the university and its branches, and that for the disposition of the university and school lands, are founded upon a firm basis, exhibiting a symmetry and wisdom in the projection, that may com- mand the admiration of all.
There are but two obstacles that can seriously be sup- posed to interfere with the successful operation of the uni- versity-those which may originate in the conflicts of sec- tarian and political preferences and opinions. As it regards the former, there is but little cause of apprehen- sion. To the honor of Christianity it may be said, few States exhibit that degree of harmony between the several denominations, that exists in Michigan. As to the effect of political preferences upon its prosperity, there may be ground for some solicitude. It is to be hoped, however, that a noble and more lofty principle may actuate the future controllers of this institution, than that which would sacrifice the lights of science and literature upon the altar of party.
The most important era in the history of a literary insti- tution, is the period of its incipient operations. This may emphatically be said to be the climacteric of its existence. Reference is not here had to pecuniary affairs, but to the healthy tone of moral feeling. High trusts devolve upon those who conduct it ; but much fortuitously depends upon the character of the first members who compose its various classes. If they bear a high moral character, that charac- ter will become a standard that will transmissibly stamp its
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impress upon its future members. But, on the contrary, if the virus of corruption be inoculated within its first germ, it will become radical and pervasive-generating, instead of extinguishing the elements of pollution. The most rigid and discreet faculty, under such adverse circumstances, would find obstacles to encounter that might prove insur- mountable. As it commences, so will it be apt to continue. As are the sources, so will be the stream itself; for it can hardly be expected, if the fountain be corrupt, to find the waters pure. As this is to become the nucleus around which will cluster the youth qualified at the several branch- es, how important that the latter severally commence under favorable auspices ! Every institution is the receptacle of more or less vice, and it is believed to have originated, more from inattention under the first, than under any subsequent administration.
In the provisions of the primary school law, there is much to admire ; yet, it is believed, that it will be found to be in some measure defective, not only in practice, but in principle. This is the most important law of a State. It is general in its operation, productive of the most important results, bearing upon the most momentous subject. Among the improvements that would be useful to this as well as the school systems of the other States, a well digested school code, adapted to every subject connected with the business of teaching, and fitted to the nature of republican institu- tions, and the genius of the American people, is worthy of notice. And it is a question of doubt, that our schools can flourish without a suitable collection of principles and laws, energetically administered by competent and efficient agents, invested with judicial and ministerial powers adequate to the proper discharge of their duties.
It was said the present system is defective-by which is meant, defective in principle, so far as the provisions of the law, deviate, in their application, from a scientific system of education. Our prescribed limits can admit of only a bare allusion to this vital point. Whatever is worthy the dignity of science, to maintain such appellation, it is required to be administered, and its principles carried out and applied in a scientific manner. To be thus conducted, efficient, learned, and experienced agents are indispensable, and an orgrnization, that does not provide such competent
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agents, or that is not adapted to that particular science, must be defective. The competency of agents will be found to depend upon the intelligence, unity, and independ- ence of the appointing power. If that power resides in a source subject to the instability of popular caprice, the inevitable consequence will be, the election of agents of a like character, and the like administration of their duties. The science thus degraded, becomes a mere nullity by the empiricism of its conductors. This reasoning is of uni- versal application, and might be illustrated by the legal and military sciences.
Law, the highest of human sciences-" the perfection of reason,"-retains its rank as such, only through the learn- ing and character of its agents, the wisdom and independ- ence of a judiciary. Compare those States which have an independent judiciary, with those that have consigned it to the fate of popular election. The lawyer consults the reports of Massachusetts or S. Carolina; but, of the cases adjudicated in Mississippi or Georgia, (if reported,) he never examines or regards. In the two former, the ad- ministrators of justice are known to be learned, reputable, independent : in the two latter States, these qualities are wanting-in the one, law is placed upon the elevated stand of a science : in the other, it has, as administered, no claims to such an appellation-in the one case, the judges receive their appointment at the hands of the two other depart- ments of government ; and in the other, by popular elec- tion.
Military science is constituted such by the principles that compose it ; and although, like every other, its princi- ples are immutable, yet, its dignity may be prostituted, by the impotency of its organization, or the imbecility of its officers, so as to render its application fruitless. Witness the army and militia establishments, and trace the degradation of the latter, and the high standing and efficiency of the former, to the standing of their officers ; and the worth of those, to the appointing power. The great point, then, is this ; to have competent officers, invested with all necessary powers to the performance of their duties; and where science is concerned, to have those who are skillful and well versed in it. To obtain this desideratum, those officers should be appointed by a power, that may be supposed, at least, to 12*
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know the qualifications of those whom it appoints. It is in these respects, that weakness is attributed to the present common school systems. In the very able report of the superintendent to the legislature, in 1837, the various top- ics relating to primary school organization, are learnedly discussed. And if, as a community, the people of Michi- gan have arrived to that elevated standard of intelligence and refinement they are ready to boast of, and which will allow the application of scientific principles, it may be regretted, that, with regard to the point under considera- tion, the plan recommended was not more correspondent to the principles avowed.
The principles set forth in the report are undoubtedly correct ; that it is "the duty of government to require, of all persons having the care of children, their education ;" and yet it is recommended, and the law makes it discretionary with the school district, to support a school, or not. The report "regards education as a science and an art," and the avocation of a teacher as a learned "profession,"-the im- portance of entrusting the business of teaching "to the best talents of the country,"-the insufficient number of competent teachers, attributable to inadequate compensa- tion allowed them, in respect to other professions; and yet, these, and many other essentials to the system, are intrusted to either the township school inspectors, or the district school board, whose election is immediate, and who, in many cases, may be supposed to be incompetent to the duties assigned them; or, from the tenure of their offices, subject to popular sway, especially if a majority should happen to be opposed to making provision for education. Will it be surprising, then, however perfect the system may otherwise be, if, in application, it should be governed by popular caprice ? In this point lies the weakness of all American primary school systems. This popular method may apply efficiently to Germany or to Prussia, although subject to more arbitrary governments, but experience teaches that it will not succeed on this side of the Atlantic. If the business of education is a science, then let its con- cerns be controlled and managed, in all its ramifications, by scientific men-and by scientific men alone. It should be understood, that, by what has been said, no right is questioned, but merely the practical expediency of exercis-
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ing that right. Every one perceives the absolute absurdity of a corps of geologists, a corps of engineers, the presi- dent and professors of a college, or the judges of a court, obtaining their offices through the influence of popular ca- price or personal popularity : and is not a high order of tal- ent and acquirement as necessary in rearing and instruct- ing the youth of a State, as it is to grace the professions and stations referred to ? It will not be denied. To secure such an order of persons as the guardians and instructors of youth, provision should be made to make the profession desirable to the teacher, respected by parents, and honored by the learned. And to obtain such persons, let their ap- pointment be made by the superintendent. If this should not meet with public approbation, an assistant officer, ap- pointed by the superintendent, might be associated with the board of school inspectors and the district school board, who should have the principal control of all concerns of the schools in the county. Strength, efficiency, and regu- larity, in every branch of the subject, are essentials to command respect to the system, and for its final success and usefulness ; and these qualities are all as indispensable to a school as to a court of justice.
To correct and perfect the present system, let the gov- ernment resume its powers over the whole subject, and commit the same to the superintendent. Let preparations be made for supporting a school in every district through the year. " A three months' school" will never prepare a youth of the rising generation for the duties of life, or the duties of a citizen. All taxes for the support of schools, should be levied and assessed in the same manner as the county or state tax-and distributed equally with the inter- est of the school-fund. School houses, appendages, and appurtenances-books, stationery, apparatus, &c .- should all be furnished by the proper officers, at the expense of the school-tax or the fund. Let the powers of school inspect- ors, the district school board, and the corporate powers of the district be abolished, and the same assumed by the superintendent of schools for the county. Let the super- intendent of public instruction appoint one or more deputy superintendents for each county in the State, who shall assume all the duties incident to the before mentioned offi- cers, and such others as are expedient, and who shall have full control of all matters, under his supervision, amenable to
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EDUCATION .- SCHOOL FUND.
the superintendent of public instruction, and who shall have a fixed salary.
Let a committee of three persons from the township and three from each district, be elected annually, assistants to the deputy superintendent in such matters as he may re- quire. Let him have power to convene either of these committees at pleasure, or the members of any school dis- trict, for the purpose of conference, if he may deem neces- sary. And lastly, but not the least in importance, let every officer and teacher be well paid for his services.
Without stating the reasons for all these alterations, which are too obvious, it is confidently believed that these, with some other necessary corrections, would remedy nine tenths of the evils of our primary schools, in this and the neigh- boring States. But whatever the result may be, the subject is one of superlative moment to the rising generation, and should receive the candid consideration of the friends of education; and, whatever the plan of organization may be, it becomes the imperative duty of a people-of all parties and sects-unitedly to give it a cordial support.
SCHOOL FUND.
The primary school lands consist of section No. 16, in every surveyed township in the State, granted by Congress for the support of primary schools. It is estimated by the superintendent, making due allowance for waste lands, that the amount of primary school lands in the Peninsula will be not less than 704,000 acres, and in the Upper Peninsula, 444,160 acres, without any allowance for waste land, mak- ing in all, 1,148,160 acres. Taking the estimate for the surveyed portion of the State, for 1836, made in a note to the first article of this work, at 14,056,320 acres, one thir- ty-sixth part will give 390,453 acres of surveyed school lands. Most of these can be made available immediately, and if sold at no more than the minimum price of eight dol- dars per acre, would amount to $3,123,624. One thirty- sixth part of the Peninsula is 708,551 acres. If the excess of the round numbers, 700,000 acres, be allowed for waste, which is undoubtedly too much, the peninsular school lands would amount, at the minimum, eight dollars per acre, to
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$5,600,000. One thirty-sixth part of the Upper Peninsula is 367,360 acres; giving the excess of 360,000 acres for waste, and at the minimum price they would amount to $2,880,000, and the aggregate of the Upper and Lower Peninsular school lands to $8,480,000. It is probable however, that the major part of the Upper Peninsular lands will not, when brought into market, sell at the rate of the minimum price. Taking the estimated avails, made by the superintendent, at $1,000,000, the aggregate of the school lands will amount to $6,600,000, which, at an interest of six per cent. would yield to the State annually, to be appli- ed to the support of schools, $396,000.
"Under the act for the disposition of the university and primary school lands, 34,399 acres have been sold, at an average price of $11.97.1, per acre, amounting to $411,- 794.33, the interest of which, at seven per cent. is $28,- S25 60, payable between the 5th of July and the 20th of October, 1838. We have then this result-the . unsold school lands, 1,114,294 acres, at $5 per acre, a safe esti- $5,571,470.00
mate, will produce
34,399 acres at $11,97.1 per acre, as sold, 411,794.33
Total, 5,983,264.33
" To the interest, $28,825.60, add an equal sum, to be raised in the several counties, and we shall have for distri- bution on and after the first of January, 1839, $57,651.20, for the support of primary schools."*
UNIVERSITY FUND.
" This fund originally consisted of two townships, equal to seventy-two sections of land, reserved from sale, and granted by an ordinance of Congress, to the State, for the purpose of founding and supporting a university, and three sections obtained at the treaty made with the Indians at Fort Meigs, for the promotion of the same object. Nearly the whole of the seventy-five sections, equal to 48,000 acres, was selected in the early settlement of the country, and hence, comprising some of the most choice lands to be found in the State. Of this amount, four sections were sold by the former trustees for $
- -; of this sum,
* Second Annual Report of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
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EDUCATION .- MICHIGAN COLLEGE.
$5,000, with interest, amounting to $454,71, has recently come into the hands of the superintendent, to be re-loaned. During the summer of 1837, under the provisions of the act for the disposition of the university and school lands, 6,583 acres have been sold for $150,447.90, the interest of which is payable between the 5th of July and 8th of August, 1838; at which time it will pass into the hands of the treas- urer of the State, to the credit of the university fund, to be paid to the treasurer of the university on the warrant of the auditor general. There remains, therefore, unsold, of the university lands, 38,857 acres. We have this result :
38,857 acres, at $20 per acre, the minimum price, $777,140 00
6,583 acres at $22 85} per acre, as sold, 150,447 90
66 By former trustees, 5,000 00
Due on notes for use of improved lands and natural meadows, 2,000,50
Total, $934,588 40
The superior excellence and eligible location of these, warrant the belief of their sale exceeding the minimum, $20 per acre, sufficiently to amount in the final aggregate to at least $1,000,000, which, at seven per cent. would give an annual income of $70,000, to be applied to the support of the university."*
COLLEGES, PRIVATE SEMINARIES, AND LITERARY SOCIETIES.
Institutions of learning, as well as those institutions con- nected with every other public improvement, are in an in- choate condition, and depend much upon the fostering aid of public spirited friends, for their existence. The number at present in operation is few, though most of them, con- sidering the recency of their existence, and the embarrass- ments they have been liable to encounter, consequent to a new settled country, are in a prospering state.
MICHIGAN COLLEGE.
This institution, which is to be located at Marshall, coun- ty of Calhoun, was projected in the autumn of 1835, but
* Second Annual Report of John D. Pierce, Superintendent Public In- struction,
=
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OF MICHIGAN.
EDUCATION .- KALAMAZOO LITERARY INSTITUTE.
will not, probably, go fully into operation before the spring of 1839.
The Board of Trustees is composed of the following gen- tlemen, viz : Rev. John P. Cleaveland, Dr. Arthur L. Por- ter, Eurotas P. Hastings, and Robert Stuart, Esqrs. of the county of Wayne ; Hon. Austin E. Wing, Hon. Wolcott Lawrence, and Col. Oliver Johnson, of the county of Mon- roe; Rev. John M. Ellis, and Rev. William Page, of the county of Jackson ; Rev. Ira M. Wead, of the county of Washtenaw ; Rev. Ashbel S. Wells, of the county of Oak- land; Rev. William Wolcott, of the county of Lenawee : Rev. Alexander B. Brown, of the county of Berrien ; Ly- man Ketcham, Esq., and Dr. John P. Greves, of the county of Calhoun.
Rev. John P. Cleaveland, Chairman of the Board.
Rev. Ira M. Wead, Secretary.
Eurotas P. Hastings, Esq. Treasurer.
The Trustees are mostly of the Presbyterian denomina- tion, and the institution may be considered as under its im- mediate patronage.
The Rev. John P. Cleaveland is president of the college. He received the appointment to this office on the 2d of Feb- ruary, 1837, and on the 20th of October, signified his ac- ceptance. For this purpose he was dismissed from his con- gregation in Detroit, on the 26th of November. The site selected for the college buildings is one of the most beauti- ful in the State-upon an elevation overlooking the village between a handsome piece of table land in front, and a de- lightful oak grove in the rear. No information, as to the amount of funds belonging to it, has been received. A tract of land, of more than 350 acres, is owned by the Trus- tees, bordering the Kalamazoo to the extent of half a mile, and fronting the village of Marshall. The erection of build- ings commenced in the spring of 1838. A preparatory school, under the care of the Trustees, is already in opera- tion at Marshall, and an act of incorporation is expected from the legislature.
KALAMAZOO LITERARY INSTITUTE.
Trustees .- Hon. Caleb Eldred, Hon. Epaphroditns Ran- som, Hon. Lucius Lyon, Hon. H. H. Comstock, Hon. Ross
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EDUCATION .- KALAMAZOO LITERARY INSTITUTE.
Wilkins, Rev. William Taylor, Rev. John Booth, Rev. S. Goodman, Rev. John Harris, Rev. C. H. Swain, Rev. Rob- ert Powell, Rev. H. J. Hall, Rev. Jacob Price, Rev. T. W. Merrill, Rev. Jeremiah Hall, Rev. Robert Adams, Deac. Isaac Briggs, Col. Anthony Cooley, Col. H. B. Huston, Col. J. W. Curtenius, Dr. John J. Treat, Rufus Tiffany, Esq., John P. Marsh, Esq., Enoch Jones, Esq., Nathaniel Cothren, Esq., William Duncan, Esq., Ezekiel Ransom, Esq., Nelson Sage, Esq., Allen Goodrich, Esq., Sands Mc Camley, Esq., James Newton, Esq., L. Pratt, Esq., D. S. Bacon, Esq., R. Manning, Esq., L. Goddard, Esq.
Hon. Caleb Eldred, President.
Rev. T. W. Merrill, Secretary.
Executive Committee .- Hon. Caleb Eldred, Rev. William Taylor, Rev. Jeremiah Hall, Col. A. Cooley, Col. H. B. Huston, Ezekiel Ransom, Esq., Z. Platt, Esq.
N. A. Balch, A. B., Principal of the Academic Depart- ment.
S. H. Ransom, General Agent.
Col. Roswell Stone, Superintendent of the Boarding House.
This institution is located at the village of Kalamazoo, in Kalamazoo county. It was incorporated in 1833, for the pur- pose of " promoting a knowledge of all those branches of education usually taught in academies and colleges." It may be considered as under the immediate charge of the Bap- tist denomination. It was established at Kalamazoo, by an act of the Board of Trustees, in September, 1835. It is located on a tract of twenty-four acres, in a beautiful plain, about 80 rods south of the court house. It was originally established upon the manual labor plan, and it is designed to furnish the diligent student with the means in part, of supporting himself.
Its funds consist of real estate, valued at $3,000
Claims for property sold, 800
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