A history of public education in Rhode Island, from 1636 to 1876 ... Comp. by authority of the Board of education, and ed. by Thomas B. Stockwell ...

60 RHODE ISLAND.
Kingstown, in Oct., 1843. Introducing this bill, Mr. Upldike made the
bold statement that
"The free school system as it then existed, was not a blessing to the State,
except in the city of Providence, and possibly in a few other towns, where a
similar course was pursuecd. This was not owing to the want of liberal appropriation fiom the general treasury. This was large enough, or at least, was
larger than was made by any other State to the several towns. But the difficulty
lay with the towns, and with the want of any thorough system for the examination of teachers, the regulation of books, and supervision of schools, by officers
qualified to discharge these duties. Our teachers come from abroad, are employed without producing evidence either of moral character, or their fitness to
teach, remain in the schools two or three months, and within twenty-four hours
of the close of the term are gone to parts unknown. The bookl for our schools
are selected by authors and publishers, or itinerant venders, and all that parents
have to do about the matter is to get new books every year, and pay the bilUs.
As to visiting the schools, who ever heard of committees going about into the
different districts, or of parents being seen in the school-room? These things
should be looked into. The legislature should know what becomes of the sum
of 825,000, which is drawn annually from the general treasury. The people
should have their attention called to the actual state of education among us.
Our self-respect should be roused by a knowledge of the fact brought out by the
last census of the United States, from which it appears that Rhode Island is
behind the other New England States in this matter. With a population of
108,830, we have over 1,600 adults who cannot read or write, while Connecticut
with a population of 309,978, has only 526. The other New England States not
only educate their own teachers, lawyers, doctors and clergymen, but help to
supply our demand for these classes of. men. It is time to bestir ourselves in
this matter. We need not act with precipitation. All that this bill provides
for, is information as to the real state of things, and upon such information the
legislature and the people can act understandingly. Pass this bill-sustain the
agent who may be appointed- act upon his recommendations when they are sustained by facts and sound arguments-engraft upon our system the tried improvements of other States-enlist the people, the whole people, in this great
work of elevating the schools where all the children of the State may be well
educated, and this little bill of three sections will be the beginning of a new era
in our legislation on the subject of education." *
The bill introduced by Mr. Updike —which passed unanimously —was
as follows:
"AN ACT to provide for ascertaining the condition of the Public Schools in this
State, and for the improvement and better management thereof.
" Be it enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
S "SECTION 1. The Governor of this State shall employ some suitable person
* Barnard's Report for 1845, p. 109.