USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > The story of Berks County (Pennsylvania) > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
Even after the system was established through the efforts of Governor Wolfe, and others, a fierce war was waged against it and not until 1867, when the last district wheeled into line, was it established.
In 1834 was passed the act which provided for the education of all the children of the Commonwealth at the expense of the public treasury. This was one of the most important laws that the Penn- sylvania legislature ever enacted. The State Constitution adopted in 1790 provided that the legislature "shall provide for the establish- · ment of schools through the state in such a manner that the poor - may be taught gratis." An act to provide for the education of all the children of the state was passed in 1802 and approved in 1804. According to this law those who were able to pay were required to do so. In 1809 the act of 1804 was again amended, and other changes were made from time to time. For thirty years the people had labored to establish a good school system, yet in 1833 less than 24,000 children attended the schools of the state at public expense, most of which were taught by incompetent teachers. These schools were called "pauper schools," and were shunned by the rich and poor, since the children were classified as pay and pauper pupils.
.
1
109
EDUCATION
Free school act of 1834. A society favoring the establishment of free schools was formed in Philadelphia in 1827. Correspondence was opened with the leading men of every county. statistics were collected, and a unity of effort was secured. In 1834 a law was passed which made the schools free to all.
This act inaugurated a new era in the education of the county. It provided that a tax should be levied on all taxable property and inhabitants ; that townships and towns should constitute school dis- tricts ; and that the managing of the schools should be left to six directors elected by the people. The legislature was authorized to appropriate funds, annually, from the state treasury to aid the work of education.
In 1835 a powerful effort was made to repeal the free school act of 1834. A bill repealing the law was passed by the Senate and the next day, (April 11, 1835), was discussed in the House. Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, a member from Adams County, made the speech which won the victory for free schools. Governor George Wolfe, the unflinching friend of the free schools, promised to use the veto power if necessary to keep the law in force, and so sacrificed his political friends. Governor Wolfe was followed as Governor by Joseph Ritner, a Pennsylvania German, who was a firm advocate of the free school law. He resolved that the law should be en- forced, and it was.
Some of the arguments for the free education of all of the chil- dren were that such education would create idleness, vice and crime; and that the money required would bankrupt the state. On the day for the opening of the final battle between those favoring free education and those who opposed it, the chaplain in his open- ing prayer besought the Almighty God "to lay bare His strong right arm and save the state from the poverty and bankruptcy which were sure to follow if the people were to have their property wrested from them for the free education of all the children."
Early school buildings and furnishings. From such records as exist it seems that the great majority of school houses that ex- · isted during the colonial days were made of logs with stones, clay and dirt to fill out the spaces between them. In this building there
110
THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
EARLY BERKS COUNTY SCHOOL HOUSE,
1
111
EDUCATION
was generally a dirt floor and but little furniture, except benches made, of slabs. The only means of heating was an open hearth
EIGHT-CORNERED SCHOOL HOUSE.
beneath a large chimney, upon which logs were burned.
A new style of building came into use just about the time of the close of the Revolutionary War. This new type was built of stones and the walls were made so that the house had eight sides. This shape was also very much used for meeting houses. The walls were often three feet thick, plastered and whitewashed on the in- side. A building of this kind may yet be seen at Sinking Spring. It is now used as a dwelling.
Instead of individual adjustable seats and drinking fountains and automatic ventilating arrangements, these buildings had a slop- ing shelf built against the sides of the walls. Upon this books, paper, and slates were rested, while the school work was going on. A horizontal shelf was placed below the flat one and upon this were placed such school things as were used by the pupils. A table with small or low benches around it stood near the middle of the room for the smaller pupils. As many as eighty pupils were often enrolled during the winter season in one school. The school
112
THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
was not overcrowded so long as any more children could be placed upon the benches. The door was usually on the southern side and the master's desk was directly opposite. Truly it could be said :
"Within the master's desk is seen, Deep scarred by raps official, The warping floor, the battered seats, The jack-knife's carved initial."
Wooden blackboards early decorated the walls. They were hung above the desks and in order to write upon them the children had to climb upon the sloping desks and sit upon their knees. A large iron wood stove stood in the middle of the room and often nearly roasted the little ones who sat near it. The wood was furnished by the patrons of the school and chop- * ped by the larger boys. This was exercise far more vigor- ous than the manual training of our days.
School exercises. The writ- ing was done upon foolscap paper with quill pens which the master made and kept in repair. The copy was set in a good, firm, bold, legible hand by the master and usually OLD WOOD STOVE. contained some worthy senti- ment, such as, "A rolling stone gathers no moss," or, "A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds."
The Testament or the Psalter were the readers. The master was also often the leader of the church choir and therefore the singing in the schools was usually excellent. The punishments were often very severe and cruel, but the order was generally good.
113
EDUCATION
. The little red school house followed those of stone, and these, in turn, are giving way to the centralized consolidated schools and school buildings.
CLD FRANKLIN ACADEMY, KUTZTOWN.
Keystone State Normal School. The Franklin Academy was founded at Kutztown in 1836, and the Fairview Seminary in 1860. Professor H. R. Nicks was its first principal. He opened the school with three pupils, one of whom was Nathan C. Schaeffer. By April 1861. there were 41 on the roll and by 1863 there were So students. Professor Nicks and County Superintendent Ermentrout were the leaders of the movement that changed this academy into the Keystone State Normal School. A building costing $6,500 was erected on a tract of five acres of land. In this building, in the fall of 1864, Professor Nicks opened what was known as Maxatawny Sem- inary. The academy was changed into the Normal School in 1866, when the cornerstone of the first building was laid.
Academies. The Womelsdorf Academy was established in 1828 and continued until 1855. A second (Union Academy) was established in 1866 which continued until 1876.
114
THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
KEYSTONE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
115
EDUCATION
The old Tulpehocken Academy was located one mile west of Stouchsburg, and was founded in 1831. The Stouchsburg Academy was founded as a stock concern in 1838 and continued until 1862.
Mount Pleasant Seminary was begun in Boyertown in 1842. The Kallynean Academy was also conducted at this place for a short time.
A private school was conducted at Amityville as early as 1820. An academy was started in 1842 which flourished for ten years.
Several academies have flourished in the vicinity of Birdsboro. The first school house was built in 1820, and the Philomathean Academy in 1855, and the Birdsboro Academy in 1866.
The Oley Academy was located at Friedensburg and was estab- lished in 1859. In 1875 a fine boarding house was erected to accom- modate the students of this school. It has since become a township High School.
County superintendents. The office of County Superintendent of schools was established in 1854. He is elected every four years by a convention of all the school directors in the County. In Berks he receives a salary of $2,500 a year. He is paid by the state.
It is his duty to license teachers, except those who have state certificates or normal diplomas, to visit the schools of the county, conduct County and District Institutes and have general supervision of the schools. Under the school code the Superintendent of Berks may appoint two assistants.
Following is the list of those who have served as County Super- intendent together with their terms of service:
Wm. A. Good. 1854-1860.
John S. Ermentrout 1860-1869.
David B. Brunner 1869-1875.
Samuel A. Baer. 1875-1881.
David S. Keck 1881-1890.
Wm. M. Zechman 1890-1896. Eli M. Rapp. 1896-
William A. Good. William A. Good was the first county super- intendent of schools. He was born at Philadelphia in 1810, and came
116
THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
to Reading in 1851. He was elected in June, 1854, and served until 1860. For the first year his salary was $250, but when the people saw what was required and noted the work accomplished, his salary was raised to $1,000.
Mr. Good, though mild in this ways, was a hard worker. He understood the prejudices of the people, and accomplished more for the schools of the county than many gave him credit for. His name will be cherished as the pioneer in the cause of the common school education of Berks County, as long as the system, which his labors made popular, will continue to flourish.
John S. Ermentrout. John S. Ermentrout was the second super- intendent of the county, filling the office for three terms, from 1860 to 1869. Professor Ermentrout was born in Womelsdorf. His salary for the first term was $1,000; for the last two, $1,250. Professor Ermentrout was, so to say, "to the manor born," and accomplished much for the schools of his county.
In 1860, the average salary paid to the teachers of the county was $21.75; in 1869, it was $32.15. By moving among the people, in his peculiar, suave, and easy way, he did much to reconcile them to free schools. Professor Ermentrout must always receive credit for being the first to assert publicly, both at home and abroad, the rights and excellencies of the German element. He boldly asserted the truth, that they have as much brains as any other class of people. and, if they are properly educated, they make the very best class of citizens.
The establishment of the Keystone State Normal School is due to Professor Ermentrout as much as to any one individual. It is the crowning work of his administration. During the last two years of his term, he acted as principal of the above institution, and his brother, James N. Ermentrout, Esq., was deputy superintendent.
David B. Brunner. David B. Brunner was superintendent from 1869 to 1875. His salary for the first term was $1,250; for the second term, $1,800. Professor Brunner was born in Amity. He was the first superintendent of the county, who rose from the position of a common school teacher to this high office. Before his election to the
117
EDUCATION
superintendency he had charge of a classical and scientific school in Reading. His was an administration of hard and earnest work. To Professor Brunner is due the honor of inculcating views throughout the county in regard to buildings and furniture. He delivered a great many lectures on the sciences, of which he made a specialty. He aimed at introducing a course of study into the different districts, by having them adopt district programs.
Samuel A. Baer. Samuel A. Baer was elected in 1875, and served two terms. Salary $1,800. He was born near Kutztown in Green- wich Township. In the pursuance of his duties as superintendent, he endeavored to keep in view three essentials: First, To raise the standard of the teacher. Second, To urge the practice and use of the English language. Third, The adoption of a standard course of study.
In his report to the state superintendent in 1877, Professor Baer gave a very complete history of the educational movement in Berks. He traced its development from the days of the old log school house beside the pioneer church to the academy, the first free school, and the normal school.
David S. Keck .. David S. Keck was born in Lehigh County, October 6, 1852, and there acquired his early education in the public schools. When ten years old he left home to make his way by his own exertions, working for a time in the iron-ore mines of Lehigh County. Ambitious to extend his education, he attended the Normal School at Kutztown, from which he graduated in 1874. He taught public schools in Lehigh, Berks and Luzerne counties, officiated as principal of the High School of Hamburg from 1874 to 1877, and as superintendent of the Model Department at the Normal School at Kutztown, from 1877 to 1881, when he was elected County Super- intendent.
He served three terms-nine years. After his retirement. he served the U. S. Government in the capacity of Superintendent of Indian Schools and later he became teacher of history and grammar at the Kutztown Normal School.
William M. Zechman. William M. Zechman was born in Penn Township, Berks County. in a lock-house along the old Union Canal.
118
THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
At an early age he was appointed to teach in his native township. He graduated from the Kutztown Normal School in 1883 and in 1890 was elected County Superintendent.
He became one of the most enthusiastic advocates of the Free Text Book System in Pennsylvania, and succeeded in securing the adoption of the system in about half the townships before the law was enacted. At his suggestion, the Berks County Teachers' Reading Union was organized.
School libraries were advocated during his term of office, and quite a number were started. He was instrumental in organizing the School Directors' Association and the prime mover in erecting a memorial in honor of Conrad Weiser.
Eli M. Rapp. Eli M. Rapp was elected County Superintendent in 1896, and has served continuously ever since. He was born in
CONSOLIDATION
RURAL SCHOOLS
THE NEW AND THE OLD
HOW UNE TOWR5818
THE PROBLEMA
MODERN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL-CONSOLIDATED.
Friedensburg, Oley Township, March 20, 1865; was educated in the public schools of Oley and Maxatawny. Oley Academy, Normal
119
EDUCATION
School at Kutztown and University of Pennsylvania. He taught mixed country schools in Penn and Pike, the grammar grade at Lyons, the High School at Fleetwood and served for five years as the supervising principal of the Hamburg schools. He is an active member of the National Education Association and a life member of the State Educational Association. As a student of country life problems and a worker for rural betterment, he has attained a national reputation. The high rank and efficiency of the schools of Berks County are largely due to 'his untiring and enthusiastic labors.
CHAPTER IX.
GOVERNMENT.
Finances. The task of raising money to conduct the govern- ment in a just and satisfactory manner is a difficult one, and in no country has it been done with entire success. Our plan of taxing, to us, seems the best that has yet been tried, but even in this coun- try this opinion is far from being unanimous.
Every tax should be levied so as-Not to be easily evaded; to bear with proportionate hardship upon all, and to be easily and cheaply collected.
Kinds of taxes. The taxes levied in the county are the follow- ing :
1. A Property Tax. This is a tax upon all property, real estate and personal, which people may possess. Personal property includes bonds, mortgages, building loan shares and the like.
Under the present law the assessments are made in the fall of the year. Each person is given a blank form by the assessor upon which he is requested, under oath, to state the amount of all the bonds, mortgages, and money on interest which he may have. These blanks are later used by the assessor to make up his report.
Property other than personal is called real estate. In order that tax may be levied upon it, its value must be determined. This is done every third year when the assessor makes his assessment. The assessor is supposed to rate real estate at its full value, but it is seldom rated higher than two-thirds of its value.
2. Occupation Tax. All offices and posts of profit, professions, trades and occupations, and all men above the age of twenty-one years who do not follow any particular occupation or calling must be assessed. In Berks these occupations are assessed in grades varying from $50 to $1,000.
3. A Collateral Inheritance Tax. This tax is collected by the state on sums of money inherited by persons who are not members
121
GOVERNMENT
of the immediate family of the deceased person whose estate is being divided:
4. Dog Tax. A tax of fifty cents is levied on each dog.
5. Mercantile Tax. Each merchant pays a tax of $2.00, and in addition, one mill on every dollar's worth of business that he trans- acts. The mercantile appraiser requires each merchant to fill out a blank form in which he states, under oath, the volume of business transacted by himself during the year.
6. Liquor Licenses. The tax derived from liquor license is the same throughout the state. In cities of the third class, like Read- ing, it is $550, of which $50 goes to the state, $100 to the county, and $400, less the County Treasurer's fee, to the city. In boroughs the license is $200, of which $50 goes to the state, $30 to the county and $120, less the Treasurer's fee, to the borough. In townships it is $100, of which $25 goes to the state, $15 to the county and $60, less the Treasurer's fee, to the township.
The monies returned to the districts must be applied to the im- provement of the highways.
The county collects a license of $10.75 from each 'huckster.
The state collects a license from each brewer, distiller, auction house, circus, theatrical troupe, pool room, broker and from amuse- ment houses in which vaudeville performances are given. A state tax is also collected on the capital stock of corporations, insurance companies and automobiles.
Levying the taxes. An estimate of the probable expenditure for the year is made annually by the state, the county, the city, the boroughs and the townships for various purposes. As each of these parties know how much is collected and about what is to be raised by a property tax, each fixes its own rate of taxation. This is usually expressed by mills on each dollar's worth of property. A tax duplicate is made out, on which is indicated the amount of each kind of tax that the various individuals must pay.
Collecting the taxes. The tax rates of the state, county and township are usually added together, the amount to be paid by each person computed and sent to the tax collector in one statement and collected in one sum. He turns over to the county treasurer all
122
THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
the state and county taxes, and to the local authorities their share of the tax collected.
In townships and boroughs the tax collectors are elected. In the city they are appointed by the county commissioners.
The school boards levy and collect their own taxes.
In townships and boroughs, in order to encourage prompt pay- ment, a rebate of five per cent. is allowed on all taxes paid within ninety days after the tax duplicate is received by the assessor. The full amount of the tax is required for all amounts collected between September and January, and a penalty of five per cent. is paid on all taxes after January 1st.
Real estate on which the taxes are not paid will be ordered sold at public auction, the county officers deducting the amount of taxes and the cost of the sale, turning over the balance to the former owner of the property. A certain amount of time is allowed the former owner in which he may redeem his property by paying the amount of tax and the cost of the sale.
Party, politics, nominations and elections. In each locality there are men who believe in the same principles of conducting the government and who favor thie election of men of their party to the various offices. This has been true from the beginning of the government of the United States. Hardly had the first election of Washington taken place, before differences of opinion arose as to the methods of raising revenue, of conducting banks, and interpret- ing the constitution. The men who believed in a liberal interpreta- tion of the constitution and a strong central government at Wash- ington were soon organized into a political party called Federalists, and the men who upheld the strict construction of the constitution and strong State governments were Anti-Federalists. Washington, Adams, and Hamilton were the leaders of the former; Jefferson, Madison, and Jackson of the latter. The question of interpreting the constitution and the tariff was the one that had the greatest effect in shaping the history of political parties in the United States.
After the origin of national parties, it took but little time till party lines were drawn in the county. Each party maintains a national, a state, city, county, township, or borough committee.
123
GOVERNMENT
These committees care for the interests of their party in their respec- tive localities.
The advantages of such government are numerous, though the three following are usually given :
1. The party not in office watches the party in office very keenly and so keeps the party in power from injurious legislation.
2. The party not in power keeps up the discussion of the politi- cal questions so that the public in general is kept well informed.
3. Party organization enables voters to act together for carry- ing out any policy, or for electing any candidate who may mutually be agreed upon.
Who may vote. In the County voters must be registered on a list which the assessors are required to prepare at least sixty days previous to the election. In the city each voter must appear before the registration board in his precinct and register in person. A voter in Pennsylvania must have these qualifications :
1. He must be a male citizen of the State.
2. He must be twenty-one years of age.
3. He must have been a citizen of the United States at least one month before the election.
4. He must have resided in the State one year before the elec- tion unless having been born in the State, or formerly a voter there. If he has returned after being a citizen elsewhere, he must reside in the State but six months.
5. He must have resided in his election district at least two months before election.
6. If twenty-one years or more old, he must have paid a State or County tax within the past two years, and at least a month be- fore election.
Many young men vote on age. This is possible only when they are between twenty-one and twenty-two years of age. Under these circumstances paying tax is not necessary.
Primary elections. One primary election is held each year by all parties at the same time and place and under the same rules. The fall primary at which candidates for municipal offices are nominated, is held on the last Saturday of September in odd-numbered years. The spring primary, at which candidates for State offices are nom-
124
THE STORY OF BERKS COUNTY
inated and delegates to State and National conventions are elected, is held on the second Saturday of April in even-numbered years.
The ballots for each party are furnished by the County Com- missioners, but the expense of holding the primaries is borne by the State. The polls are open from 2 P: M. to 8 P. M. No liquor dare be sold between 1 P. M. and 9 P. M. The election officers re- ceive half pay.
General and municipal elections. All officers are elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. At the general election, held in even-numbered years, State and National officers are elected. At the municipal election, held in odd-num- bered years, township, borough, city and county officers, as well as election officers, are elected.
The polls are open from 7 A. M. to 7 P. M. The ballots are furnished by the County Commissioners and the names of all can- didates appear on one sheet. To have the names of its candidates appear on this ballot, a party must have polled at the last election at least two per cent. of the highest number of votes cast for any State office. By filing proper nominating papers persons may have their names printed upon the ballots. Blank spaces are left on the ballots on which the voter may write the name of any person for whom he may wish to vote.
In the same column of the regular election ticket are printed the names of all the candidates for the same office. The county bears the expense of their preparation, and they must be placed into the hands of the election officers of each voting district on the day before the election. Extreme caution must be exercised that they are properly sealed ; for it is considered a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $1,000, or one year's imprisonment, for any one except an election officer to have one of the regular ballots outside of the voting room, either before or after the election.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.