USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 43
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So careful were the legislature to preserve the rights of sufferage from any improper influence, that they have annexed the penalty of fine and imprisonment for giving drink to voters for the purpose of obtaining votes. This law, though seldom or never violated, the committee regret to say, is evaded to an alarming ex- tent. Custom, which exercises unlimited tyranny over the minds and actions of men, seems to have decreed that unless a candidate treats liberally, he is penurious and unworthy of public favour-the scene of administer- ing strong drink commences with the canvass, and is carried on up to the time and place of election, and even there, force is opposed to force through the agen- cy of ardent spirits-there the solemn decision, on which depends the welfare and prosperity of the state or dis- triet, are made amidst this haneful influence.
The committee reluctantly use this plain language, but as the subject referred to them naturally leads to the above remarks they cannot think they have transgres- sed their duty-they, however, have the consolation of believing that a large majority of our citizens disapprove of the practice before noticed, and would call on the memorialists, and all good men in the state to stamp such an abuse with their marked disapprobation. They have it in their power-it can be done in a way which will not be misunderstood, and which will be attended by a salutary effect.
Military parades conduce not a little to the intemper- ate use of ardent spirits: and notwithstanding the law has an eye to the evil, in prohibiting the erection of booths or stands for the sale of liquors within a covenient distance from the field, yet they are commonly provid- ed or obtained in profusion in the course of the day, and thus the object of the prohibition is almost entirely de- feated. This abuse is attributable to nearly the same causes as in the case of elections, and to it may be ap- plied the same correction.
The committee pass over national celebrations, polit- ical entertainments, &c. these, from the accompaniment of drinking toasts and sentiments, are perverted from their original intention and often result in scenes of dis- sipation. The checks, to intemperance in these, togeth- er with meetings for various purposes, must be left to the laudable efforts of societies and individuals, with the confident expectation, that all good citizens will give their aid in suppressing this growing evil which threatens to become a heavy curse on our country ..
From these few remarks on the subject of the memorial, and from a careful examination of the laws against vice and immorality, it may be seen, that it is useless to multiply laws on the subject, while those already in existence are but partially executed or totally neglected. It would be a vain and deceptive profession of our faith unattend- ed by a correspondent practice. It would, indeed, like
152
REPORT OF CONTROLLERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
[MARCH
the ancient Pharisees, be making broad our phylacteries, while we neglect the wholesome precepts of the laws; while we disregard the paternal and affectionate admo- nition of our Washington and other sages of the revolu- tion, and above all while we pass over, unheeded, the injunctions of the religion which we all profess.
Let the memorialists-let every one, whatever may be their situation or condition, look to the motto of Pennsyl- vania: the soldier may see it on his colours-the citizen may often see it on his furniture and equipage, the first word is Virtue-this is the grand foundation of our po- litical fabric -- if the foundation be unsound, the super- structure of Liberty and Independence will have but a precarious support.
ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT Of the Controllers of the Public Schools, of the First School District of the State of Pennsylvania; with their accounts.
In obedience to the direction of an Act of the Gene- ral Assembly, passed the third of March, 1818, the Con- trollers of the Public Schools, for the First School Dis- trict of the State of Pennsylvania, submit their Eleventh Aunual Report-
Four thousand two hundred and ninety-seven pupils attend the following schools, viz:
Boys.
Girls.
Totals,
Model School,
348
202
550
Locust street,
300
250
550
Northern Liberties,
352
292
644
Kensington,
212
211
423
Southwark,
366
303
669
Moyamensing,
204
217
421
Spring Garden,
90
48
138
North Western,
89
76
165
South Western,
94
91
185
Lombard Street, coloured,
251
301
552
2306
1991
4297
Besides those who belong to the Alphabet and Spel- ling Sections, and those who are beginning to write on slates, the classes are arranged as follows:
SCHOOLS.
Reading.
Writing on paper.
Arith- metic.
Boys,
265
94
184
Girls,
160
70
100
Locust street-
Boys,
223
100
223
Girls,
160
90 ,
108
Northern Liberties ---
Boys,
210
55
124
Girls,
157
96
132
Kensington-
Boys,
118
74
118
Girls,
114
11.4
114
Southwark --
Boys,
238
149
161
Girls,
168
95
60
Moyamensing-
Boys,
92
75
109
Girls,
129
75
108
Spring Garden-
Boys,
37
16
29
Girls,
22
10
14
North Western --
Boys,
61
15
32
Girls,
50
8
18
South Western-
Boys,
67
16
32
Girls,
75
20
44
Lombard Street, coloured-
140
38
105
Girls,
119
45
125
2605
1215
1940
In addition to the above mentioned branches, Grammar and Geography are taught, and the girls are instructed in Sewing, Knitting, and marking on canvass.
The whole number of pupils are thus distributed :-
In the Model School, Chester street 550
First Section, City of Philadelphia 1452
Second Section, Northern Liberties and Ken- sington 1067
Third and Ninth Sections, Southwark and Moyamensing ʹ
1090
Fourth Section, Spring Garden 138
Total 4297
In the country part of the district seven hundred and sixty children have been taught, and with those instruct- ed on the Lancasterian plan, make the whole number educated at the public expense during the official year, Five thousand and fifty-seven.
During eleven years, the period of the operation of the present law, thirty-one thousand five hundred and fifty-three children, have partaken of the benefits of edu- cation, under the liberal patronage of this efficient and economical system.
From the annexed accounts, examined by the audi- tors, it will appear that the Controllers have drawn or- ders upon the County Treasurer for thirty thousand one hundred and seventy-three dollars and ninety-five cents -of which sum, sixteen thousand and eleven dollars and sixty-four cents is chargeable to the support of Lancasterian Schools, six thousand five hundred and forty-one dollars and fifty-one cents to real estate and school furniture, and seven thousand six hundred and twenty dollars and eighty cents, to education in the County Sections.
Authority was given, and provision made at the commencement of the last year, to enable the Directors of the fourth Section to purchase a site and erect a School House. It is understood that they have pro- cured a lot in a convenient situation, and that arrange- ments will be made for building early the ensuing spring.
The principal of the Boys' Model School has compiled an Epitome of Geography, especially adapted to Semi- naries of mutual instruction, the publication of which the Controllers encouraged, and have supplied each School in the district with the requisite number of co- pies.
Several persons of both sexes, have recently availed themselves of the privilege of acquiring a knowledge of the Lancasterian plan of instruction, by attending the Model and other Schools, and some of the individuals thus qualified, are candidates for employment in Penn- sylvania, in many of the interior counties of which, an increased degree of attention has lately been manifest- ed, for providing the means of elementary instruction to a large number of Youths now destitute of that blessing.
The power given to the Controllers by an act of the last session of the legislature, to establishi schools for the instruction of children under five years of age, has not yet been employed. That object has nevertheless claimed their notice, and the most respectful attention has been paid to the communications of several societies formed in the city and county of Philadelphia, for the support of Infant schools, asking pecuniary aid towards the institutions which are conducted by them with great benevolence and success.
In what manner this confessedly important concern should be disposed of, the Controllers do not yet feel themselves fully qualified to determine. Whether annual contributions ought to be made from the public treasury, to assist the means now derived from indivi- dual beneficence, so that the charitable ladies who go- vern those schools, may not be embarrassed in their operations for want of funds-whether establishments ought to be provided for this class of children entirely
Boys,
.
Model-
1829.]
under the direction of the Controllers, or whether it will be judicious to increase the already liberal expendi- ture for free education-are questions demanding fur- ther grave and patient reflection. The Controllers cannot however take leave of the subject without ac- knowledging the deep feeling which an inspection of the Infant Schools, is sure to produce in every generous mind. The excellent instruction imparted-the aston- ishing proficiency of the pupils, in what is taught, and the happiness which reigns among the children, are powerful recommendations to the adoption of this novel mode of captivating the attention-developing the intel- lect, and laying the great foundations of moral and reli- gious truth at the very dawn of life.
Notwithstanding the ample opportunities which are furnished for conferring the rudiments of learning upon the indigent youth of this part of the state, the Control- lers regret that the wise and generous purpose which seeks the education and welfare of every individual of that description, is not accomplished. Many children, wholly neglected, wander as they list, practising decep- tive arts of various kinds, and not unfrequently reach our prisons, where, by association with skilful criminals, their ruin is completed. Hundreds of others are em- ployed merely with reference to their physical value. Surely no private gains, however large, can recompense the commonwealth for the miseries and mischiefs which flow from this source. Cupidity, with its attendant op- pression, is indeed powerful and fearful, when it ren- ders its subjects at once dependent and depraved.
The Controllers, as guardians of the class of young persons whom the law designs to train in virtuous ha- bits, once more invoke the attention of our fellow citi- zens, to this momentous subject. They are convinc- ed, that if it be duly examined, it will ensure energetic legislation adequate to the correction of existing abuses. To promote the intellectual elevation of the indigent part of the rising generation, is an essential and par- mount duty of those for whom they labour in any branch of business, and such improvement is the only protec- tion against servility, the most debasing form of evil that can befal humanity, or afflict the state.
Useful school learning, universally bestowed, com- bined with moral culture, and the inculcation of those principles of restraint which are founded upon a rever- ence of the Creator, and the truths of Christianity, con- stitute the bulwark of our free institutions, and whatev- er may contribute to impair, or prostrate this best de- fence, ought to be regarded as hostile to the public lib- erty, and peace.
On behalf of the Controllers,
ROBERTS VAUX, President.
Attested, T. M. PETTIT, Secretary. Chamber of the Controllers, 2 mo. (Feb.) 25, 1829.
TO THE JUDGES OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. The Auditors of the County of Philadelphia, appointed under the provision of an Act of Assembly, passed the 6th day of March, 1818, to provide for the education of poor children within the City and County of Philadel- phia, to examine and settle the accounts of the Control- lers and Directors of the Public Schools, within the said District, RESPECTFULLY STATE-
That they have carefully examined the said accounts, and compare them with the vouchers produced in sup- port thereof, and submit the following statement, show- ing a detailed account of their receipts and disburse- ments.
In relation to the accounts of the Controllers, the Auditors report, that from the 1st. day, of January, 1828, to the 31st. of December, same year, they drew orders on the Treasurer of the County, agreeably to an Act of the Legislature, passed the 23d. of January, 1821, au- thorizing the same, amounting to $30,173 95 The whole of which is charg- ed as follows :- VOL. III
Model School, Chester street. Teachers' salaries, stationary, fuel, &c. First Section, comprehending the City of Philadelphia. Teachers' salaries, stationary,
2,154 18
fuel, rent, &c
$5,184 99
School Furniture, .
325 98
Real Estate, new school house,
corner of 12th, and Locust sts. 5,884 13 .
11,395 10
Second Section, comprehend- ing part of the Northern Liber- ties.
Teachers' salaries, stationary,
fuel, &c.
2,646 83
Real Estate, 56 65
2,703 48
Third Section, comprehend- ing Southwark. Teachers' salaries, fuel,station-
ary, ground rent, &c. 2,290 43
School Furniture, 91 81
Real Estate,
182 94
2,565 17
Fourth Section, comprehend-
ing Penn Township. Teachers' salary, fuel, station-
ary, rent of school house, &c. Ninth Section, comprehend-
745 50
ing Moyamensing.
Teachers' salaries, rent, &c. General expenses. Paid salary of Secretary,books, advertising, and other incidental expenses, 894 01
$22,553 15
The Auditors further report, that under the provision of the Act of Assembly, passed the 2d. of January, 1821, placing the whole of the School Sections under the superin- tendence of the Controllers, they examined the Accounts of the Directors of the 2d. 4th. 5th. 6th. 7th. and 8th. Sections and com- pared them with the vouchers produced in support thereof.
They find, that for the directors of the second section, for that part of the Northern Liberties and Kensington, not compris- ed in the Lancasterian Sys- tem, the Controllers drew or- ders for .
$1,076 23
The directors of the fourth sec- tion, for that part of Penn Township not comprised in the Lancasterian System, the Controllers drew orders for 693 02
The directors of the fifth section, comprising the Townships of Oxford, Lower Dublin, By- berry and Moreland, the Con- trollers drew orders for
1,195 87
The directors of the sixth sec- tion, comprising the Town- ships of Germantown, Roxbo- rough and Bristol, the Control- lers drew orders for
The directors of the seventh sec- tion, comprising the townships of Blockley and Kingsessing, the Controllers drew orders for
2,952 82
1,190 15
20
The directors of the eight section comprising the Township of
2,095 70
153
REPORT OF CONTROLLERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
154
EARLY HISTORY .-
[MARCH
Passyunk, the Controllers drew orders for
512 71
7,629 80
$30,173 95
RECAPITULATION.
Amount of orders drawn by Con- trollers,
30,173 95
Old orders, outstanding Decem- ber 31, 1827, and paid in 1828,
283 24
.
Of which paid by Controllers' orders, drawn on the Treasur- er,
30,298 76
Leaving a balance of Controllers' orders outstanding and unpaid December 31, 1838,
158 43
$30,173 19 30,457 19
JOSEPH BOCKIUS, SAM. M. SOLOMON, Auditors of the County.
Philadelphia, February 25, 1829.
EARLY HISTORY.
We are again indebted to the politeness of the late Dr. Logan's family for several documents relating to the early history of this state-of which we now commence the publication with the following letter from
THIE COUNCIL TO HANNAH PENN. .
PHILAD'A, 8, 8mo. 1715.
Honoured ffriend:
ffinding ourselves obliged from the melancholy circumstances we perceiveour Proprietor stille labours under to exert our best endeavours for his and the Countrys benefit, now when he is rendered so far inca- pable of applying his own thoughts to them as formerly. We gave an account in our Letter of the 11th of 6mo Jast* pr. J. Annis, directed to himself, (W. P.) of the measures we had taken, and the Instances we had made for the more full establishment of good order and Peace in this Government here. delivering with a necessary ffreedom, our sentiments of our present Lt. Gov'rs Con- duct in his administration .- nor have our further solici- tations since that time been wanting, being willing to leave no expedient unessayed to procure so great a Blessing as Peace and a good understanding among the People.
But having seen some Paragraphs of a Letter which I.Norris very lately received from our ffriend and fellow member Thomas Story, we were not a little surprised at the accounts you seem to have there of our affairs. we were absolute Strangers to the occasion of the Gov'rs Brother going over further than that several of us have heard the Governor alledge, that it was to get in a thou- sand pounds he was to receive on the death of a near Relation, but from what is said in the aforementioned Letter there is room to suspect it was on some business of a different import .- we are altogether unacquainted with the Provocations hinted at, that moved the Gover- nor's Temper, knowing nothing of any opposition that ever was made to him or any disappointment he met with but what was entirely owing to his own manage- ment with assemblies without advising with his Coun- cil. Such was his refusing to treat with that of the Pro- vince in 1714. and his attempting to call a new one di- rectly contrary to Law and the Constitution, for which he had ordered Writts to be prepared and sent to the Great seal, but happily stopped there without the least
noise, breath, or disturbance, by the interposition of the Commiss'n of Property who were keepers of that Seal. nor could we ever hear of any provocation given for so rash and unadvised a resolution, unless he was disturb- ed (which some affirmed) at the Title of an act that ap- peared in the Published votes, which act, notwithstand- ing he has since thought it convenient to pass, this last sessions. So that we can by no means understand what the ill usage is that he can complain of.
As to the divisions in new castle County, we think it apparent that he, with some near him were the authors of them themselves about the beginning of the year 1714. Coll French stood so fair with him that he put him in the Commission of the Peace &c for that County, but his Brother in law Rd. Birmingham, whom after his arrival he thought fitt to make the chief Magistrate, hav- ing with an uncommon Rigour committed a Constable to the Stocks for some Behaviour or language with which he thought fitt to be dissatisfied, the Constable resolved to bring a civil action against him. The writt was brought to John French as a justice to sign to which by his oath he was indispensably obliged without favour or partiallity. this sowed the first seeds that we have heard of, and occasioned the sd. Justices being turned out of Commission and afterwards Birminghams Bail Bond being ordered to be assigned over by the Court, produced the same effect towards the rest of the magis- trates, who for that judicial act, to which the course of the Law obliged them, were all turned out together, but by a most extraordinary method. upon which the Country was left for the space of about six weeks with- out one magistrate, to the entire failure of all justice in it. nor was this it seems sufficient, but the more effec- tually to stop all process he, with his own hands, as it is affirmed, broke open the Clerks office, carried off all the records he found in it, and because the County seal was not there, he issued Writts himself under his pri- vate Seal, and particularly one against the said Consta- ble, adjudging him to pay 40 shillings, or to be sent to Prison, tho' on what pretence we have not yet learned. these actions, with some others of a like kind, and the Governor and his Brother still continuing the like arbi- trary measures, are the true and only causes of the Dis- orders of that County, as far as we have been able to dis- cover them, and what endeavours we on our parts have used to procure a Redress to them that Peace and a free enjoyment of their Liberties might be restored to all the Kings subjects here, we have, (as before hinted) fully represented in our last Letter to the Proprietor, of which a copy accompanies this, but how vain all our en- deavors have proved, and how little is to be expected for the future from this Gentleman, we, with a very deep Concern for the trouble it must necessarily give you. think ourselves indispensably engaged further to inform thee.
What led the Governor to tresspass on his Engage- ment to us in refusing to grant a new Commission for New Castle as he had promised the day before, we could not fully understand, altho his Brothers arrival in this Town the same day gave some cause of Suspicion, but it soon after appeared, for we found the constables action against Birmingham was still depending and was to be tried the following Court just then at hand. The Governor accompanied his Brother down to it, and to let the world see how far he thought himself interested in that triffling affair,he himself mounted the Bench where his Behaviour was such as is not fit to be mentioned of any Person who bears so valuable a Commission; but for the particulars, as well of that as the rest we have touch- ed upon with some others relating to that County, we must desire to refer to a late Letter directed to us from divers of their Inhabitants of note, who were made sen- sible of our endeavours in their behalf, of which tho wrote in some parts with strong resentments, we hear transmit a Copy, and shall proceed to some others of a still fresher date.
*Sec this letter in Register, vol. 2, p. 69.
-
EARLY HISTORY.
1829.]
155
- The injury done by Birmingham to the Constable ap- pearing (as tis said) very plain to the jury, they found for the Plaintiff, yet gave him only 5£ damages, upon which verdict the defendant immediately produced a writt of error from his Brother to remove the Cause (tho before Judgment, as is affirmed to us) into the Supreme Court. Hereupon some were doubtful that before that Court there would be new Judges appointed, but these were difficult to be found. The Gov'r however, came up last week with his Brother to procure persons from hence to try that writt of Error, and applying to some of the magistrates of our number, they thought it necessary rather to advise him to persuade the Provincial judges to it; these were accordingly spoke to, but this afford- ing as we thought, a good opportunity of treating once more with the Governor on these unhappy measures. it was so ordered that the rest of the Councill also should meet the Governor and his Brother that evening to con- sider of it. Their Proposal was soon made appear to be very absurd, for that no judgment being given, a Writt of Error could not take place, but from hence occasion was taken to represent largely to the Governor what un- happy consequences must ensue, from such animosities and Resentments taken up on such slender and incon- siderable occasions, how much it would be to the Gov'rs Honour & interest to remove the cause of these misun- derstanding's to use a regular and steady administration, to let the Law have its free course, and come to a gene- ral reconcilliation with all the king's subjects under his charge. This we laboured for several hours in the most obliging manner we could use, Engaging if he would consent to it to take the matter on ourselves, and in or- der to it would accompany him to New castle the 14th Instant, the day on which the Assembly meets.
The last proposal of attending him thither seemed to make some impression, but parting late that night with- out prevailing on the Govern'r to come to any fixed de- termination, and he having mentioned his design to go down the next day with his Brother, we resolved to wait on him again in the morning to dissuade him, if possi- ble, from going thither till the said 14 day, but to let the two persons to be chosen in that County for sheriff, at- tend him here in Philadelphia,in which case he hoped he might more easily be prevailed on to leave the People to their free choice, and the enjoyment of their Charter. But in vain !- he was resolutely fixed, and went accor- dingly.
At their Election Coll French was almost unanimous- ly elected for one, and Anthony Houston by a majority of voices, for the other, of these two persons we have mentioned to be presented for the Sheriff's Office-But without any regard to this, he by his Commission appoin- ted another, which Commission was (as we suppose) by his order sent into the Supreme Court sitting there two days ago, to be published, but that being a Court of Law and the Commission directly against our Law, the Court could not admit it, upon which he thought fitt to send for, and kick one of the Judges, as by the affidavit of James Steel another of the same Judges will more fully appear. These accounts being relations of matter of fact only, may we suppose, make it suffi- ciently clear to what causes those disorders are ow- ing, but also what endeavours have been used to pre- vent them; but we must now say that from the Experi- ence we have had of this Gentleman (tho we have been very unwilling to express ourselves so freely before, whilst the least appearance of hope seemed to remain) we believe it impossible to reduce him to those senti- ments which the nature of Government necessarily re- quirea. for altho no Governor might live more happily or easier if he could be prevailed upon to take proper measures for his own Interest and Honour, the Country generally expressing a willingness to support him, of which the Grant of 600£ by our Assembly last summer to be paid him this Winter is an Instance. Tho for a long time he appeared easy, being conscious as we be- lieved ofhis own weakness, till that unhappy Instrument,
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