they will give better satisfaction in each district." Ira.-"A large selection has been made of library books, and it is encouraging that now the library is well visited, and gives entire satisfaction to the community." Kimball.-"Condition of township library good. Some books are well selected, but they are not much read. What can be done to improve it, I do not know, unless it is distributed among the districts." St. Clair City" "The library is composed of the larger books, and is read extensively." Wales.-"As a general thing the district library system is a total failure as regards this township; the books being few in number, and consequently but little read. I have seen some books of a decidedly immoral character. The township system I think much better calculated to answer the purpose designed; and in order to sustain either system, would recommend a law appropriating a specific amount of money for the purchase of books; said books to be purchased by the inspectors or one of their number." ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. Florence-" District libraries are well supplied with books, and of good selection. The interest in libraries has very much diminished of late, in consequence of other cheap and valuable reading." Leonidas-" The district libraries are not in a very good condition. What books there are have been well read, but only small additions are made from year to year. Probably the best thing to be done to improve the libraries, is to furnish more money to replenish them.". Mendon-"A majority, I think, would return to the township >system, but the larger districts would not. The books were well selected, and read till they are nearly worn out. To improve the libraries, amend the law so as to appropriate a specific sum for their maintenance." Mottville-"The district libraries are in tolerable good condition, and in some of the districts are much read. Some of them need a good overhauling." Nottawa-"The books of the district libraries are well selected, and read with a good deal of interest. There has been no addition to the libraries the past year, and we may not in the future be able to report so favorably." TUSCOLA COUNTY. Fairgrove-"The books generally are good. Many volumes have been badly handled, and abused. A portion are in good condition, and since the removal of the library to the center of the township, bids fair to be well read. I think there ought to be at least twenty-five dollars of the two mill tax appropriated annually for the purchase of books." VAN BUREN COUNTY. Columbia-" We have district libraries. Some of the books are old and much worn. They are passably well selected, and judging by looks, have been much read. It was voted at the last township meeting to consolidate the district libraries into a township library; but books have not been returned. Was such a vote legal ?" (Answer: There is no law providing for such consolidation.) Deerfield-"The condition of our district libraries is good as far as they go. The books are well selected and well read, for a new settlement. The libraries would be much improved by being increased, or exchanged." Geneva-"The township library is very little used, owing to the directors not drawing the books." Waverly-"Our district. libraries are sadly run down. The people generally think it is better to use the money for school purposes. We do not know of anything that could be done to improve the libraries." WASHTENAW COUNTY. Augusta-" District libraries. Well read in some districts, neglected in others. No additions made during the year." Lima. "Township library, in not very good condition. Books, a good selection, and very well read. Induce the people of the town to vote money to replenish the library; none having been raised for library purposes for several years, through the influence of one man in our town." Northfield-"The township library is very poor; the books are old and much soiled. For the benefit of the library, the old books would better be sold, and new ones bought; and there ought to be money raised to establish a good library in our town, for it is much needed." Saline-"We have found but two pieces of district library among the schools-have heard of a few books somewhere in somebody's hands-their condition illtheir usefulness almost a blank. According to the showing of those in the different districts, the books are illy adapted to the reading of youth, and are almost entirely neglected. It is a matter of no little difficulty to say just what would improve the libraries. We might suggest the appointment of a man in each district, having that highest of qualifications, a greater willingness to do a little real labor for another generation, than for present name or gain, to everhaul, locate, select books, &c." WAYNE COUNTY. Dearborn-We have district libraries, which have been but little used. The fine money, however, which had not been apportioned for several years, and had accumulated in the aggregate for the township to $164.69, was apportioned last summer, thus giving to each district quite a fund for library purposes. The books to be purchased with this money will undoubtedly create a much greater desire for reading than has been heretofore manifested in this township." Greenfield"Condition of township library very bad. Usefulness'very good. The books are pretty well selected, and tolerably well read. 'What can be done to improve the libraries?' Beyond my ability to answer. We have on hand $173 19, which will be laid out in a few days for books." Hamtramck-"Four large cases of carefully selected books, which are tolerably well read. We don't need any more means of enlarging our library at present-having as much as we can judiciously expend arising annually, from fines, &c." [Remark: This is in consequence of the great amount of criminal business in Detroit. The same can be said of no other town in the State out of Wayne county.] BRANCH COUNTY. Coldwater City—“ We have a district library of about two hundred volumes. These books have been generally read by the people and scholars in the district. We are now fitting up a very fine room in the Central Schoolhouse for a library, and expect, during the present year, to add sev eral hundred volumes to those now on hand. About $200 have been raised for that purpose, by the teachers and scholars, by exhibitions and fairs." Sherwood-" In regard to the libraries, there seems but little interest, in consequence of there being no " appropriation of money to purchase new books. To our minds a specific sum of money is necessary, for the purchase of new and useful books. Then, and not till then, will the parents and children seek after the knowledge that is now beyond their limited means." CALHOUN COUNTY. Emmett-We have, or had, district libraries. They have been neglected, and are now nearly in ruins. The books were not originally very well selected. Good books would be well read. Not one cent has been appropriated for the purchase of books since the township library was divided. It ought to be made the duty of some one to inspect the libraries thoroughly as often as once a year, and hold the district offi cers to a strict account." Newton-"Our libraries are poor and of little usc. The books have been used until they are old. Give us new books." Pennfield-"District libraries; used very little. To improve the libraries there should be a fund sufficiently large to buy new books each year. Most of our districts receive less than one dollar a year for library purposes." BARRY COUNTY. Thornapple-"The town invariably refuses to vote any portion of the two-mill tax for the purchase of library books; and the amount derived from fines, &c., has been so little as to make no perceptible difference in the different libraries. So, unless there shall be some statutory amendments, district libraries will be likely to remain in statu quo." Woodland-" District libraries are considered useful. They are well selected but in part, and but little read." Yankee Springs"There have been 611 books purchased for our library, but on counting the books now in, only 360 volumes are found in good condition. The books are well selected and considerably read." For want of space we refrain from quoting any of the reports under the 3d head, "the general condition and progress of the schools." The reports exhibit a great variety of statements and opinions, showing a very unequal condition of the schools; some pronounced excellent in every respect, and others utterly worthless. The extracts already given in regard to the school houses, may be taken as a fair index of the reports of the character of the schools-poor school houses and poor schools usually keeping company. SCHOOL GOVERNMENT. In the report for 1861, the graded school was made the topic of a somewhat complete and extended discussion. Its advantages were enumerated, and the theory of the grading and general management was fully explained. The report of 1862 attempted a similar service for the common or primary school. There were also embraced in the report of '61 articles on physical and moral education. There remains another topic, important alike to the graded and the common school, which it seems desirable to discuss in this report, viz: The government of schools. The importance to our schools of good government can scarcely be over-estimated. Its lack is far too common. Annually, considerable numbers of the schools are either entirely broken up, or rendered useless, if not pernicious, by the teachers' failure to govern. In some, violence and disorder have been the rule; endless struggles inflame the passions of teacher and pupils, and petulant scolding, rising often into fierce invective, and culminating in heavy blows, exasperates and sours the temper, and fills the heart of childhood with the malignant feelings of hatred and revenge. A stern and angry despotism contends with a wild and rebellious anarchy, and the peaceful love of learning is driven away. The generous thirst for truth is quenched in the prevalent spirit of bitterness and muttered cursings. And in others, the absence of all order and restraint leaves each pupil to do what seems "good in his own eyes," and the teacher escapes all conflict by virtue of his inoffensive good nature and easy indifference. Content to enjoy his own slipshod ease, he heeds not the thousand pranks by which his pupils seek to amuse themselves, and sober-faced, earnest study finds no place there to rest the sole of her foot.. If the former government was anarchy, this latter is chaos. Between these two extremes, and approaching one or the other |