Ellis A. Apgar, superintendent from 1866 to 1885. For the current year the statistics show, as may be seen, an increase for the year of 10,256 in school youth, of 5,525 in enrolled pupils, and, what is more important, of over 9,000 in average daily attendance. There were 27 new school buildings erected during the year, and 6,939 additional sittings provided to meet the increase of school attendance; while 129 more teachers were employed, there having been 19 less men and 148 more women, as compared with 1883-84. The statistics also show the almost total disappearance of districts with short school terms (of 6 months and less), the nun ber having been reduced to 3, while those with terms of "9 months or more" increased to 1,293, a gain of 7 during the year. While the pay of teachers was but slightly improved, the expenditure for public schools was $29,709 more, and the valuation of school property $482,119 more, than in the previous year. The number reported in no school was 93,683, or about 25 per cent. of the whole. These figures, however, says the superintendent, form no basis upon which to calculate the amount of illiteracy in the State, since they include a large number of youth who have finished their education, as well as children over 5, but still considered too young to attend school. He considers that as much as 18 out of the 25 per cent. not attending school are thus accounted for; and, counting those mentally or physically unfitted and others who are instructed at home, a very small margin is left upon which to base any apprehension of illiteracy.

The State superintendent, in his report, divides the public schools into 5 grades, in order more clearly to present their condition: (1) As to the extent to which blackboards are used; (2) as to the degree of excellence in recitations; (3) as to the degree of order maintained; (4) as to cleanliness in the school-room; (5) as to the general character of the school. On all these points a slight improvement is reported. In 182 districts text-books were furnished to the pupils. Libraries were established in 747 schools. In school accommodations there is still some deficiency. Of the 1,586 school buildings, 103 are classed as "poor," and 62 as "very poor." An overcrowding of school-rooms is reported, chiefly in the primary departments, where there should be the least. In some of the cities, and in a large number of districts in which schools are ungraded, the superintendent says, so many pupils are crowded into a single room, in charge of a single teacher, that no good work is possible. The number of such rooms, however, is decreasing, only 73 being reported the present year, against 105 in 1883-284. A favorable point in the school work of this State is the great degree of permanence secured to teachers in their positions. The injury resulting from a frequent change of teachers was long ago recognized here, and New Jersey was one of the first of the Eastern States to drop the old system of a winter and summer term, with a different teacher for each. Contracts with teachers are generally made for the entire school year, and renewed for the next if the parties can agree. As a result, nearly 3 per cent. of the teachers have been in their schools more than 20 years, nearly 7 per cent. more than 15 years, 15 per cent. more than 10, and over one-third have served more than 5 years.

ADMINISTRATION.

The general supervision of the public school system is committed to a State board of education, which appoints triennially a State superintendent of public instruction and a superintendent of public schools for each county, the latter subject to the approval of the board of freeholders in the county. The interests of school districts are managed by 3 trustees, elected by the people for 3 years, with annual change of 1. The district trustees of each township constitute a township board of trustees, and meet the county superintendent semi-annually for consultation. All persons. without regard to sex, who are residents of the district, are eligible to the office of district trustee, if over 21 years of age and able to read and write. Each district board elects one of its number as a clerk to record its proceedings, and take an annual census of school children. Provision is also made for State and county, and in some cases, for city boards of examiners, for the examination of teachers. The county and city superintendents together constitute the State association of school superiutendents, which meets annually, as the State board of education directs. Graded, as well as district, schools are provided for, also industrial schools, a normal school, and seachers' institutes.

Teachers may suspend pupils from school for cause, but may not administer corporal punishment. No sectarian school may receive any part of the public school funds. Since 1883, no boy under 12 nor girl under 14 years of age, may be employed in any factory, mine, or workshop; and no child between the ages of 12 and 15 may be so employed, unless such child shall have attended some public or private, day or eveuing school, for at least 12 consecutive weeks, or 2 terms of 6 weeks each, within the year preceding such employment. Nor may a child under 14 years of age be employed in any manufacturing establishment longer than an average of 10 hours a day.

SCHOOL FINANCES.

The public schools are made free to all resident children 5-18 years of age, by the proceeds of a State school fund, by a State tax equal to $4 for each child of school

age, and, when necessary, by additional amounts raised through township, city, and district taxation, and a poll tax not to exceed $1. Each district is entitled to at least $200 of the school fund, and districts with 45 or more children get not less than $350, to be apportioned by county superintendents. To secure this aid districts must provide suitable school buildings, and must have maintained a public school for at least 9 months during the preceding year.

NEW LEGISLATION.

An Act of March 20, 1884, provides that where local authorities to assess and levy taxes for school purposes, &c., either do not exist, or fail to do their duty as to such assessment or levy, the governor is to cause notice thereof to be given to the mayor or other proper local authority; and if in 10 days the default of action is not reinedied, he may appoint and commission 3 freeholders in the derelict city, town, or municipality, to be "commissioners of taxation," to assess and levy the taxes, not to exceed 12 per cent. of the assessed value of the property thus subjected to taxation. Having made the levy, they are to apportion the proceeds, less their own appointed compensation, for the support of the schools, repair of school-houses, and other indicated purposes, in the cities or other municipalities affected.

Another Act, of April 1, 1884, authorizes any city in the State to establish a free public library within its corporate limits, on receiving the assent of the majority of the qualified voters in the city, at an election fixed by law for the election of municipal officers, and after at least 10 days preceding public notice of the vote to be taken on this question.

A compulsory school law of 1885 requires all persons having charge of children 7 to 12 years of age to send such to a public day school at least 20 weeks each year, unless excused by the school board of their district for proven cause. It forbids also the employment of children under 15 years of age by any person, company, or corporation, unless such children have attended some school for at least 12 consecutive weeks, for 5 days or evenings a week. Children temporarily discharged from employment for the purpose of attending school are to have an opportunity for schooling, unless good reason to the contrary is shown.

SCHOOL SYSTEMS OF CITIES WITH 7,500 OR MORE INHABITANTS.

ADMINISTRATION.

The school interests of each city or town are under the control of school boards, boards of education, or boards of school trustees, elected by the people. A city superintendent is usually the executive officer, and such persons as the board may appoint constitute a city board of examiners.

Bayonne, in addition to the above statistics, reports 1,721 sittings for pupils in public schools, an increase of 157 during the year; public school property valued at $124,721; public schools taught for 10 months; 725 pupils attending private schools, and 520 no school.

Bridgeton, with about the same school population and enrollment, the latter about 64 per cent. of its school youth, reports 42 per cent. of these in average daily attendance, the percentage of attendance to enrollment being about 65. There was a full supply

of seats for the pupils attending. Private schools enrolled 250 pupils, and 500 are reported as in no school. The public schools were taught 200 days by 4 men and 26 women, all receiving the average monthly pay of $75. Expenditure for public schools was $2,213 more than in 1883-84.

Camden reports an increase of 1,254 in school youth, of 206 in enrollment, and of 711 in average attendance. The seating capacity of the school-houses was 6,591, which, though less by 2,506 than the enrollment, was 1,583 more than average attendance. There were 2,000 reported in private schools, making a total of 11,097 under instruction. Schools were in session 10 months and 7 days, and were taught by 7 men, and 121 women, the former receiving the average monthly pay of $132.55, the latter $39.90. School property was rated at $275,500.

Elizabeth reports for 1884-'85 4 school buildings, affording 2,453 sittings for study, having lost by fire one for primary schools.

With only 50 more school youth there was a gain of 119 in enrollment, and a loss of 13 in average attendance, while expenditure for public schools was $2,549 beyond that of 1883-84. Of the 3,617 registered pupils, only 122 were over 16 years of age. The estimated enrollment in private and church schools was 2,300, nearly 61 per cent. of the public school enrollment. One special teacher in drawing was employed. Public schools were taught 194 days, and property belonging to them was valued a $79.600.

Hoboken presents evidence of improvement in all the departments of school work. 1 had 6 school buildings for its high, grammar, primary, annex, normal, and evenin schools. Including evening schools there was a gain of 1,013 in registered pupils, o 412 in average attendance, and an expenditure of $5,346 more than in 1883-84. During the year a new wing with 240 additional sittings was added to one of the school buildings, yet even this was insufficient to accommodate the increase of school youth, and another building was urgently called for. Under 8 teachers the evening schools were in session 67 nights, enrolling 455, with an average attendance of 172. Considerable improvement in the sanitary condition of the school-houses is reported. In the high school, the course of study was thoroughly revised and adapted to the wants of every pursuit. The consolidation of the first class in each grammar department, placing all the schools upon the same basis as to teaching, grades, and salaries, contributed to the advancement of these schools.

A carefully prepared table shows that abont three-fourths of the children leave school to contribute to the family support before completing one-half of the 13 years provided for by the State. And yet nearly 63 per cent. of enrolled pupils was held in average attendance. Private and church schools enrolled 1,496. Public school property was valued at $124,465.

Jersey City, while it gained 5,379 in school youth, 802 in average attendance, and expended $17,499 more for public schools, lost 789 in enrollment as compared with 1883-84. Private schools enroled 14,725, a gain of 510 during the year. The combined school force of the city seems to have made, during the year, but a slight advance on the accumulating school population, leaving 20,233 reported as attending no school. For the permanent attendance in the public schools, the school-houses afforded a fair supply of sittings. Schools were taught 10 months by 17 men and 333 women. The average monthly pay of the former was $139.90; that of the latter, $37.63. Public school property was valued at $598,000.

Millville, unreported last year, reports for 1884-'85 an enrollment of over 90 per cent. of its school youth, and 61 per cent. of them in average attendance. Its school accommodations seem to have been fully up to school requirements. Only 50 were enrolled in private schools and 167 reported as in no school. The public schools were taught 200 days by 6 men and 31 women, the former paid $69.75 per month, the latter, $37.50. The value of school property was $50, 100.

Newark reports primary intermediate, grammar, 2 industrial, and 7 evening schools, also 1 for colored youth, 1 high, and 1 normal school. Of the 24,659 enrolled in public schools, only 355 were over 16 years of age. The 6,000 in private and church schools, added to those in the public schools, make a total of 30,659 under instruction, or only 12,604 less than the number of school youth. The evening schools enrolled 2,087 meu and 554 women, under 54 teachers, with an average attendanc. of 1,334. The high school pupils numbered 683, with average attendance of 552, under 17 teachers. The city normal school had 36 female pupils under 1 female teacher. Two special teachers, one in music and one in drawing. were employed. Public schools were taught 201 days, and property belonging to them was valued at $1,085,500.

New Brunswick presents statistics showing ar enrollment in private and parochial schools, exceeding by 821 that of the public schools, the former numbering 3,500, the latter. 2,679. This indicates a much larger foreign population than has been heretofore reported. The public schools occupy 6 buildings, with 1,300 sittings for primary and intermediate schools, 715 for grammar schools, and 160 for the high school. Of the 2,679 enrolled, only 91 were over 16 years of age. The high record for punctuality continued, there having been during the year a loss from tardiness of only 7 hours and

48 minutes. The standard of deportment had been raised by the influence of new laws of conduct, which were approved by the scholars. The daily sessions continued as heretofore, no general recess being allowed. The results of this system, it is thought, are beneficial. Public schools were taught 199 days. School property was rated at $125,200.

Orange provides 4 school buildings with 1,468 sittings for its primary, grammar, and high schools, valued, with other property, at $105,000. It shows for the current year a gain of 194 in school youth, of 87 in registered pupils, of 57 in average daily attendance, with an expenditure for public schools of $2,509 more than in 1883-84. Of the 1,659 enrolled, only 51 were over 16 years of age, and only 100 under 6. The estimated number in private and parochial schools was 1,200, being only 459 less than in the public schools. The enrollinent of both classes reached to within 1,556 of the number of school youth. Public schools were taught 197 days. The city superintendent says that the enrollment for 1884-'85 exceeded that of any previous year, the increase keeping pace with that of population. The school board has ordered the erection of a new school building, the cost not to exceed $20,000.

Paterson reports progress in all departments, showing a gain of 1,084 in school youth, of 739 in enrollment, of 1,254 in average attendance, of 16 in teachers, and expended $14,989 more for public schools than in the previous year. There were 22 such schools, consisting of 1 normal training school, 1 high school, 8 grammar schools, with primary departments, 4 primary schools, and 8 evening schools, affording 6,357 sittings in all, the teaching force comprising 11 men and 152 women. Although some increase had been made in school accommodations, there was still an overcrowded condition in nearly all the schools. The city had not sufficiently provided for the increase of school youth, there having been but 6,357 sittings for the 12,609 enrolled. The superintendent estimates that there were 9,000 children of school age who must have either attended private schools or received no schooling. Most of these were boys over 12 years of age, or girls over 14, who were employed in the various places of industry. There were 2,796 attending evening schools. Efforts have been made to lessen truancy, tardiness, absence, and disobedience, and the superintendent urges that an institution be opened by the city where truants and those who refuse to obey in the regular schools may be made to attend and be kept under proper restraint and instruction.

Plainfield, for the current year, reports a little more than one-half of school youth enrolled in the public schools and 500 in private ones, making a total attendence of 1,865 in both classes, and leaving 477 out of school. Average daily attendance was about 43 per cent. of school youth, and 73 per cent. of enrollment. School buildings are all reported as, in "very good" condition, and afford nearly enough seats for the daily attendance. The public schools were held in session 10 months, the teaching force comprising 1 male and 24 female teachers; the former receiving the average monthly pay of $120, the latter, $56. School property was rated at $95,000.

Trenton grades its public schools as primary, intermediate, grammar, and high, with courses covering 8 years, giving to each grade 2 years. There was in 1884-'85 a gain of 136 in enrollment, a falling off of 238 in school youth, of 252 in average attendance, and of $8,038 in expenditure for public schools, as compared with the previous year. The enrollment in private and church schools was 1,445 less than in 1883-'84. For 12 public schools there were 13 school buildings, with 4,090 sittings, all school property being valued at $164,800, an advance of $70,800 over the valuation in 1883-84. The combined enrollment of public and private aud church schools, the latter being 1,555, leaves 2,936 of school youth apparently without school training. But allowing that about one-fourth of the school youth are over 16 years of age, and, having completed their public schooling, are in higher schools or pursuing the various industries, few, if any, are left as illiterates. Public schools were taught 200 days, retaining in average attendance about 66 per cent. of the pupils enrolled.

Cauiden, Gloucester City, Hoboken, Millville, Newark, Paterson, and Salem, had evening schools during the winter, taught by 145 teachers for a total of 468 evenings, with an enrollment of 7,206, and an average attendance of 5,302, the appropriation for their support being $15,578.

PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.

GENERAL STATE REQUIREMENTS.

To obtain employment in the public schools teachers must hold certificates of qualification from the State or city board of examiners. The certificates of the State

board are of three grades--for life, for 10 years, or for 7 years. Those of the county boards are for 1, 3, and 5 years, the 5-year ones good throughout the State. Graduates of 3 years' course in the State normal school, who have given evidence in its model school of ability to teach and govern, receive a second-grade State certificate, and graduates of the 2-years' course, one of third grade.

STATE NORMAL TRAINING.

The New Jersey State Normal School, Trenton, organized in 1855, offers a 3-years' course of normal instruction, with free tuition to students who are qualified, and will pledge themselves to teach 2 years in the State. In 1884-'85 there were 40 young men and 180 young women in the school under 25 instructors. The number of graduates receiving diplomas entitling them to teach in the State without further examination was 27, all of whom were to engage in teaching, Vocal and instrumental music and drawing are taught, and a model school is attached for practice teaching.

During the year 285 graduates and 195 undergraduates of the State normal school tanght in the State, an increase of 19 of the former and of 36 of the latter over 1883-84.

OTHER NORMAL TRAINING.

The cities of Hoboken, Newark, and Paterson include normal training in their public school systems. That at Newark had 35 young women in its course of 40 weeks under 4 instructors. In 1884-85 the entire class graduated, of whom 34 were to engage in teaching, which they are permitted to do in the city without further examination. A model school is attached, which is said to be in excellent condition as to its attendance, discipline, and instruction; the accommodatious both for the theoretical and training departments were entirely inadequate. The city appropriated $1,500 for the maintenance of the normal school during the year.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTES.

To defray the expenses of teachers' institutes the State allows $100 for each county that may hold an institute. Where the teachers from two or more adjoining counties unite in holding the institute, each county receives $100. The State board of education must prescribe rules and regulations for holding the institutes. All teachers are required to attend unless excused, and no deduction may be made from their salary for the time given to the institute.

ment.

SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

These schools are reported in most of the principal cities. That at Long Branch offers classical, scientific, and English courses, each covering 3 years, the classical being particularly designed to fit students for college. Newark has a similar arrangeWith an enlarged building and the organization of the school upon a broader and more liberal basis, with increased appliances for objective and experimental work, it is in close relation to the normal and training schools, and, through them, to the entire teaching force of the city. Paterson, with a high-school registration of 230 pupils, reports an advancement of the school towards a higher standard, and a gain of it in effectiveness and influence. Its library numbered over 12,000 volumes, and included a good proportion of historical and classical works. The Trenton high school has a 2-years' English course; Greek and Latin optional.

OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

For statistics of business colleges, private academic schools, and preparatory departments of colleges, see Tables IV, VI, VII, and IX of the Appendix. For summaries of their statistics, see the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION.

COLLEGES FOR YOUNG MEN.

The College of New Jersey.-Princeton continued in 1884-'85 to maintain its classical, scientific, and elective courses, with a faculty of 39 members, and an enrollment of 519 students, representing 31 States, 1 Territory, and 3 foreign countries. Degrees conferred are M. A., B. A., M. S., B. S., and C. E. Three honorary LL. D'.,' 4 D.D's, and 2 A. M.'s were conferred in June, 1884. Entrance examinations are held annually in all the principal cities westward to San Francisco, and in these examinations and in the regular undergraduate and graduate courses that follow them everything indicates thoroughness, while aunual fellowships, prizes, and competitive scholarships help to stimulate students.

Other institutions reporting are Rutgers College, New Brunswick (non-sectarian), and St. Benedict's College, Newark, and Seton Hall College, South Orange (Roman Catholic). The first named offers excellent classical, scientific, special, and graduate courses of study, with numerous electives; the others preparatory, commercial, and classical courses of fair standard.

'President Arthur, Governor Abbett, and Judge Harlan, of the United States Supreme Court.