November 1st we will open a school at Merino, with an enrollment of fifteen pupils. Though our schools are few and the enrollment comparatively small, I doubt if any county in Wyoming can show a greater rate of increase during the two years just past. Our motto for the schools of Weston County is: "Not the largest, but the best." Very respectfully, MRS. J. L. BAIRD, October 15, 1892. Supt. of Weston County. CONCLUSION. I have endeavored in the foregoing pages to give the public a correct impression of the condition of the public schools of the State. In comparison with the older States which have a larger population not so widely scattered, Wyoming has made great progress in school matters. We have some of the best methods of school instruction now known in operation, and have also to contend with difficulties incident to early settlement. The apathy and inattention of some of the district school officers, while but a small fraction of the entire number, yet is enough to perceptibly interfere with the perfect operation of a school system. Should the Legislature appoint a commission to prepare a new school law, many interests are to be recognized and the utmost simplicity and directness of the law is essential. Many educators try to do too much, others are too conservative. Some of the educational ideas receiving attention include public manual training schools, a public kindergarten with incidental implements and devices. It seems most important that the public schools should not undertake too much but rather try to do a few things well. Text books are being improved daily, and all methods of a progressive nature should be carefully considered, and when deemed practical, should be promptly adopted. There is, however, nothing that can take the place of hard and earnest study on the part of the pupils of the schools and the road to knowledge is as full of labor for this generation as it has been in the past; while the facilities are greater the multiplicity of things to be learned has, if anything, increased the scholar's difficulties. Respectfully submitted, STEPHEN T. FARWELL, Supt. of Public Instruction. Term of Office of Each Expires January 1st, 1895. SCHOOL LAWS OF 1888. CHAPTER THREE. Miscellaneous Provisions. SECTION 2. Neither the territorial superintendent or any person in his office, nor any county superintendent, nor school district officer, nor any officer or teacher connected with any public school, shall act as agent or solicitor for the sale of any school books, maps, charts, school library books, school furniture, apparatus or stationary, or furnish any assistance to, or receive any reward therefor, from any author, publisher, bookseller or dealer doing the same. Every person violating this section shall forfeit not less than fifty nor more than two hundred dollars, for each offense and be liable to removal from office therefor. APPROVED MARCH 9TH, 1888. Published by order of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, March 1st, 1891. |