1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 289 



is educational in its agricultural work, and was formed to 

 do all that was possible in that direction ; consequently it 

 might gain and give valuable additional force to and from 

 its work, by consultation with the educational department, 

 and certainly the work of the health department is most 

 closely allied to the other two boards. 



The condition and needs of our agricultural population 

 could thus be more intelligently understood, from such 

 consultations as are here suggested, and the welfare of a 

 large part of our citizens probably benefited. 



At the recent teachers' meeting in Boston, the superinten- 

 dent of Chicago public schools in his address argued " that 

 the public school rests upon the inalienable right of child- 

 hood to an education suited to its surroundings. The child 

 has a claim on the State, which should cultivate the intellect 

 of its children." He went on to point out evils in the 

 present systems, and their remedies. 



I Avill add that there are students of these subjects who 

 believe that ours, which was formerly the leading educational 

 system, has been so built upon in other younger States, in 

 forming their systems, that Massachusetts should now care- 

 fully investigate the systems of other States and countries, 

 with a view to learning any improved methods and ensuring 

 her children's education best suited to their future wants and 

 happiness. 



It is understood that the reference applied more to the 

 rural than citj'' schools. 



