Daviess County, Missouri - Chapter 11: Education, 1882

Chapter 11: Education

Public School System - Publie School System of Missouri - Linco'n Institute - Offeers of Publre Schoo! System - Certificates of Teachers - University of Missouri - Schools - Colleges - Institue tions of Learning - Location - Libraries - Newspapers and Periodicals - No. of School Chiudren - Amount Expended - Value of Grounds and Buildings - The Press."

The first constitution of Missouri provided, that '' one school or more, shall be established in each township, as soon as practicable and necessary, where the poor shall be taught gratis."

It will be seen that even at that early day, (1820), the framers of the con stitution made provision for at least a primary education, for the poorest and the humblest, taking it for granted that those who were able would avail themselves uf educational advantages which were not gratuitous.

The establishment of the public school system in its essential features, was not perfected until 1839, during the administration of Governor Boggs, and since that period, the system has slowly grown into favor, not only in Missouri, but throughout the United States. The idea of a free or public school for all classes was not at first a popular one, especially among those who had the means to patronize private institutions of learning. In upholding and maintaining public schools, the opponents of the system felt that they were not only compromising their own standing among their more wealthy neighbors, but that they were to some extent, bringing opprobrium upon their children. Entertaining such prejudices they naturally thought that the training received in public schools, could not be otherwise than defective, hence many years of probation passed, before the popular mind was prepared to appreciate the benefits and blessings which spring from these institutions.

Every year only adds to their popularity, and commends them the more earnestly to the fostering care of our State and National Legislatures, and to the esteem and favor of all classes of our people

We can hardly conceive of two grander and more potent promoters of vivilzation, than the free school and the tree press. 'They would indeed seem to con stitute all that was necessary to the attainment of the happiness and intellectual growth of the Republic and all that was necessary to broaden, to liberalize and instruct,

'¢ Tis education forms the common mind; * * * * * * * '(For noble youth there is nothing so meet As learning is, to know the good from ill; 'To know the tongues, and perfectly indite,

All the States of the Union, have in practical operation the public schoo) system, governed in the main by similar laws, and not differing materially in the manner and methods by which they are taught, but none have a wiser, a more liberal and comprehensive machinery of instruction than Missouri, Her schoel laws since 1839, have undergone many changes, and always for the better, keep- ing pice with the most enlightened and advanced theories of the most experienced edicators in the land. But not until 1875, when the new constitution was adopt? J, did her present admirable system of public instruction go into effect.

Provisions were made not only for white, but for children of African descent, and are a part of the organic law, not subject to the caprices of unfriendly legislatures, or the whims of political parties. [he Lincoln Institute, located at Jefferson Ci y, for the education of colored teachers, receives an annual appropriation trom tie General Assembly, ¥

For the support of the public schools, in addition to the annual income derived from the public school fund, which is set apart by law, not less than twentyfive p'r cent. of the State revenne, exclusive of the interest and sinking fund, is annually applied to this purpose.

The officers having in charge the public school interests, are the State 'Board of Education;" the State Superintendent; County Superintendent ; County Clerk and Treasurer; Board of Directors; City and Town School Board: and Teacher. The State Board of Education is composed of the State Superintendent, the Governor, Secretary of State and the Attorney General, the cxecutive officer of this Board, being the State Superintendent, who is chosen by the people every four years. His duties are numerous. He renders decisions concerning the local application of school law; keeps a record of all the school funds and annually distributes the same to the counties; supervises the work of county school officers; delivers lectures; visits schools; distributes educational information; grants certificates of higher qualifications; and makes an annual report to the General Assembly of the condition of the schools.

The County Superintendents are also elected by the people for two years. Their work is to examine teachers, to distribute blanks and make reports. County clerks receive estimates from the local directors and extend them upon the tax-books, In addition to this, they keep the general records of the county and township school funds, and return an annual report of the financial condition of the schools of their county to the State Superintendent. School taxes are gathered with other taxes by the county collector, The custodian of the school funds belonging to the schools of the counties, is the county treasurer, except in counties adopting the township organization, in which case, the township trustee discharges these duties.

Districts organized under the special law for cities and towns are governed by a board of six directors, two of whom are selected annually, on the second Saturday in September, and hold their office for three years.

One director is elected to serve for three years in each school district, at the annual meeting. These directors may levy a tax not exceeding forty per cent. on the one hundred dollars valuation, provided such annual rates for school purposes may be increased in districts formed of cities and towns, to an amount not to exceed one dollar on the hundred dollars valuation ; and in other districts to an amount not to exceed sixty five cents on the one hundred dollars valuation, on the condition that a majority of the voters who are tax-payers, voting at an election held to decide the question, vote for said increase. For the purpose of erecting public Yuildings in school districts, the rates of taxation thus limited, may be increased when the rate of such increase and the purpose for which it is intended shall have been submitted to a vote of the people, and two-thirds of the qualified voters of such school district voting at such election shall vote therefor.

Local directors may direct the management of the school in respect to the choice of teachers and other details, but in the discharge of all important business, such as the erection of a school house or the extension of a term of school beyond the constitutional period, they simply execute the will of the people. The clerk of this board may be adirector, Hekeeps a record of the names of all the children and youth in the district between the ages of five and twenty-one; records

Third Street, St. Joseph, Looking Soutil

'Teachers must hold a certificate from the State Superintendent or County Commissioner of the county where they teach. State certificates are granted upon personal written examinations in the common branches, together with the natural sciences and higher mathematics, The holder of such certificate may teach in any public school of the State without further examination. Certificates granted by County Commissioners are of two classes, with two grades in each class Those issued for a longer term than one year, belong to the first class and are susceptible of two grades, differing both as to length of time and attainments, Those issued for one year may represent two grades, marked by qualification alone, The township school fund arises from a grant of land by the General Government, consisting of section sixteen in cach congressional township. 'The annual income of the township fund is appropriated to the various townships, according to their respective proprietary claims. The support from the permanent funds 1s supplemented by direct taxation laid upon the taxable property of each district. 'The greatest limit of taxation for the current expenses is one per cent.; the tax permitted for school-house building cannot exceed the same amount.

Among the institutions of learning and ranking, perhaps, the first in importance, is the State University located at Columbia, Boone county. When the State was admitted into the Union, Congress granted to it one enure township of land (46,080 acres) for the support of ** A Seminary of Learning." The lands secured for this purpose are among the best and most valuable in the State, These lands were put upon the market in 1832 and brought $75,000, which amount was invested in the stock of the old bank of the State of Missouri, where it remained and increased by accumulation to the sum of $100,000, In 1839 by an act of the General Assembly, five commissioners were appointed to select a site for the State University, the site to contain at least fifty acres of land in a compact form, within two miles of the county seat of Cole, Cooper, Howard, Boone, Callaway or Saline. Bids were let among the counties named and the county ol Boone having subscribed the sum of $117,921, some $18,000 more than any other county, the State University was located in that county, and on the 4th of July, 1840, the corner-stone was laid with imposing ceremonies.

The present annual income of the University is nearly $65,000. There are still unsold about 200,000 acres of land from the grant of 1862. 'The donations to the institutions connected therewith amount to nearly $400,000. This University with its different departments, is opened to both male and female and both sexes enjoy alike its rights and privileges. Among the professional schools, which form a part of the University, are the Normal, or College of Instruction in Teaching; the Agricultural and Mechanical College; the School of Mines and Metallurgy; the College of Law; the Medical College; and the Department ol Analytical and Applied Chemistry, Other departments are contemplated and will be added as necessity requires,

The following will show the names and locations of the schools and institution of the State as reported by the Commissioner of Education in 1875:

Universities And Colleges

PEO ARID iy 6d. 20h 00 8) OR NO RD : . . Independence. 'Thayer College. . eee CRADLE SSS © ww were Ride: PUASTANE COUCH Ey 1 ve re aoceemaaniey & at @ seeee * * & «La Grange. William Jewell College. . . . . oi tan eee a Ss EE aS % sciberky Biptit College. s « « « x 4 SUR e a eh 8 eS 6 SDouistana. Sc. Joseph College. . . .. Hee SHS a Se Ge ete SK Joseph College of Christian Brothers. ..... 2 ee eo 6 6 + St. Louis

For Superior Instruction Of Women

Christian College. 2... Cetin ka) eth ew we ww a Columbin PREDHEDS COUEREE. 6 p26 is, Soros ae tency ax sy aa ® « © « « « » Columbia. Howard College en Oe Oe bw ww Oe SAO Vere « & ew » Bayete. Independence Female College... ... * e 6 © + + « © © » Independence. Central Female College... 2. 2. 2 6 « C8 C8 wwe wo ererbexington: Clay SeMNAA Gia: oxo oh oO Ew ainaanen tees at a a ealtberty; Ingleside Female College. . 2... 2... See eee ew Ss & o Palmyra

Linden Wood College for Young Ladies... . . 6... 6 © «© « « St Charles. Mary Institute (Washington ere {eee KH CRS AA S «SG. Donte St. Louis Seminary . . 2... SSR ws Sow S & zoaracgpeseboniss Wrauliné Academyics < sewesieste ca we eae i cstv we 6 & % 4 | St Louis.

Schools Of Science

Missouri Agricultural and Mechanical College (University of saint Columbia. Schools of Mines and Metallurgy (University of Missouri) . - « « Columbia. Polytechnic Institute (Washington University). . . 2. . 6 « « « « «St, Louis.

Bchools Of Theology

St. Vincent's College (Theological. Department) . . . . . . . Cape Girardeau. Westminster College (Theological School). . .... zee sPulten Vardeman School of Theology (William Jewell College)... eee mre eere ce Concordia College. . 6 se ym Si bosses a ef 8 Pe ci ees soe Lonis:

Schools Of Law Schools Of Medicine

Medical College, University of Missouri. . . 2... 2 2 ee ees Columbia. College of Physicians and Surgeons. . . . cue ew © abs JOSIE, Kansas City College of Physicians and Surgeons oa se wo « Kansas City, Hospital Medical College . . 6 2 1 ese ee ee ee ew ew # « Ste Joseph,

Missouri Medical Comege.. < ve ie so us waummpaiie, a: ay ce wee es 2 OL Lois: Northwestern Medical College. . . . 6 6 6 6 ee ee ee eo « St Joseph. St. Lows Medical' College . jc << se cepreenis ney nme y @ woh Done Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri . . . . . Phos . St. Louis, Missouri School of Midwifery and Diseases of Women and Children . St. Louis, Missouri Central College. . . 2... pMeurstian eG we eo cee ERD

Largest Public Libraries Name. Location Volumes

NAME. LOCATION VOLUMES St. Vincent's College. . . . 2... . . » CapeGirardeau...... 5,500 Southeast Missouri State Normal School. . . Cape Girardeau... . 1,225 University of Missouzi. . .s.... . «Columbia. .... 10,000 Athenian Society): ss & s&s ee @@OlUMbidaes cn s a = ew Boo Union Literary Society, . . » « o + « « *Columbia. « . «+ + «6 1,200 Law Colleges. © ce Se ee 6 ee el Columbine & & oe 4H % TZOOO Westminster College. . 2... «(Pelton aie) & oe 5060 Lewis Goletics, 6 6c hehe Fw eS er elasgowis © b & % 3,000 Mercantile Library. . . . 2. ~ + + + ~~ Hannibal... .. «© 2,219 Library Association... a a ee Independence, . . .. . 1,100 Fruitland Normal Institute . Sida & Sb e JACKSON Sic sa 2 eb 4 Soe BAe UAT, os cance! ayer xe ® Ske ee &.JRHEEOR Gly oc. BS 13,000 Fetterman's Circulating Library . . . . . . Kansas City. . . . 2... 1,320 Baw Library: oe. senenve a. oes wpleenses CUPS, ck aks) a: give 3,000 Whittemore's Circulating Library . ae em so RANSES GIO Seine se oc & 8) 1,008 North Missouri State Normal School. . . . Kirksville. ....... 1,050 Willlam Jewell Colleges. 3. so ee ee SEE te ee ee oss wee ¥ 4,000 Bi. Pauls OUGES oo: cee ay ae a ee at 8 5 WARMER ee cigzieicer ay wt oe! » 2,000 Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy es. een See . 1,478 St.. Charles:Catholic Library:.. oo 6 « © « + roi aah nS: 1 (a 1,716 Carl Frielling's Library. . . . . Wee em ORE AOSED Me re asuieews & + + 6,000 Law Library... we et ioe wy te BOE OMEN Groepecian s&s 2,000 Public School Library... . a gto AOSED We vs:siessen a a: 6 at BybOe Walworth & Colt's Circulating Library @ Sete SUSAN Niscecy a ea: oe x Hasee Academy of Science. . . . oe & @ CIRC EONS ies era; coe 2,744 Academy of Visitation. ...... em a Sl LOU eine: a a we oo $C College of the Christian Brothers, . . .. .St. Louis... .. . « «22,000 Dentsehe Tnstitute.. « «x2 © ee 8 wx = BETIS je eesaoan ® ao ORO German Evang. Lutheran, Concordia College. St. Louis. . 2... 2%. 4,8co Law Library Association, ¢ ac uw so se SR AOUIScme: da we 8 §,000 Missouri Medical College... . .. . é we BOMB, a 1,000 Mrs. Cuthberts Seminary (Young re: S$ PRRCLOUIE: Sate es He 1,560 Odd: Fellows Library cee. 6 a & SAR DOME isc oes ke st eG OOS Publie:School Library; 2 6 5 #8 6% % % St. Louis . ei G 49,097 St. Louis Medical Colleges ss ss ca. «St:Loubs ses. eee 1,100 St. Louis Mercantile Library. ceeds Stowe. < ety « & asggjooe St. Louis Seminary . é ge ees SS Lbome. «nee: so 6 Coe St. Louis Turn Verein oS Sk Se ES CHRON coe 4s, 6 eS, soos St. Louis University . . «6s 6 6 0 © © « St. Lous «2. 4. . . 19,000

Name. Location, Volumes

State:Asylum for Deaf and Dumbss 3 < 4 3% 8 4 6 je eee ee oe » Fulton St. Bridget's Institution for Deafand Dumb. . . . . 2. 2 ee « « St. Louis. Institution for the Education of the Blind... . 2... 1 6 6 6 « . St. Louis. State Asylum for-Insaue: «i be Se & SRR SS Mee 4. oh Bice ROM, slate. Asylum fortie Insane's: < 5 S Te fa GS nes cbs ee ehcdne chs <) a SL GaDRE,

Normal Schools

Normal Institute... ... eee ee a a ew wm wo bOlWar, Southeast Missouri State Normal School. ee ee ae "| Cape Girardeau, Normal School (University of Missouri) . . 2... . . . . . . « . Columbia. Brunet: Noriial Pisin te ce eye as 0) % ow RR ee ew & we eupACkson, Lincoln Institute (for colared) .. « « ve se ew @ @isvemeney o )eHersOn City City Normal School. . . RON at Ol OR Rw & wee SOO Missouri State Normal School... =... eee + + « « » Warrensburg.

Number Of Teachers

The fact that Missouri supports and maintains four hundred and seventy-one newspapers and periodicals, shows that her inhabitants are not only a reading and reflecting people, but that they appreciate '* 'The Press," and its wonderful influence as an educator. The poet has well said: