14 INTRODUCTION. 



lifications are approved by inspectors elected by the people ; a contribution by 

 means of taxation in each school district, of a sum equal to that apportioned to 

 the district out of the pubHc funds ; the supplying of any deficiency in the funds 

 necessary for the support of the schools, by the charging of tuition fees upon 

 such parents and guardians as are of sufficient ability ; the exemption of the poor 

 from all charges for tuition fees ; the maintenance of a school in each district, not 

 less than four months in each year ; the visitation and examination of schools by 

 the inspectors, and by a deputy superintendent of common schools for the county, 

 the latter officer being appointed by the supervisors ; and a supervision and care 

 of the entire school system of the state, by the secretary of state, who is superin- 

 tendent of common schools, and to whom annual reports of the condition, progress 

 and statistics of each school district are made by the trustees thereof; the main- 

 tenance of schools wherever necessary for the education of children of African 

 descent ; the maintenance of normal schools in the most flourishing academical 

 institutions, for the instruction of teachers of both sexes ; the publication and dis- 

 tribution to each school of a periodical journal, exclusively devoted to the cause 

 of education and not of a sectarian or party character, and in which are published 

 the laws of the state, the regulations established by the superintendent, and his 

 decisions upon questions affecting the organization, administration and govern- 

 ment of the schools ; and a comprehensive annual report to the legislature by the 

 superintendent, of the condition of the schools throughout the state.* 



The whole number of school districts in the state is 10,886, in which schools 

 are maintained during an average period of eight months in each year. The 

 number of children instructed is 603,583. The whole amount of money expended 

 for the payment of wages of teachers is $1,043,000 ; of which $560,000 are public 

 money, and the remainder is contributed by individuals.! 



It is apparent that the efficiency of the public school system must depend 

 in a great measure upon the ability, zeal, and efficiency of the superintendent of 



* Laws of New- York, 1841. t Annual report of S. S. Randall, deputy superintendent of common schools, 1842. 



