sequent ideal term. This board appoints 3 trustees for each sub-district, to hold office. for 3 years, with annual change of 1. The county superintendent and 2 high-grade teachers, whom he may nominate, constitute a county board of examiners for each county, to examine and license applicants for teachers' certificates.

SCHOOL FINANCES.

For the support of public free schools there is still levied annually a State tax of 10 cents on each $100 of real and personal property, which, with the interest of the invested State school fund, the proceeds of forfeitures, fines, and an annual capitation tax, constitutes a general school fund, annually distributed among the counties in proportion to the number of youth of school age in each, as shown by the last enumeration.

To provide school-houses and pay other school expenses, there is a further annual tax in each district of not more than 40 cents on $100; also an annual levy in each independent school district of not more than 50 cents on every $100 of valuation for the payment of teachers' salaries within the district.

THE PEABODY FUND.

The State in 1884-'85 received $2,500 from this source, with the stipulation that $1,200 be used for teachers' institutes, $1,000 for Nashville scholarships, and $300 for normal schools.

CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM OF WHEELING.

ADMINISTRATION.

The city school officers of Wheeling are a board of education of 3 members from each sub-district, with a superintendent of the city school district, appointed by the board, who must have had at least 3 years' practice in graded schools before his appointment.

STATISTICS.

Wheeling for 1884-'85 had 10,053 children of school age, 5,000 enrolled in the public schools, 4,500 in average daily attendance, 107 teachers, and 16 school buildings, with 5,000 sittings for study.

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.

The schools, classed as primary, intermediate, grammar, and high, were taught 198 days by 6 men and 101 women, with one special teacher of German. The course of instruction from primary to grammar, inclusive, covers 12 years. The expenditures for the year amounted to $65,894; receipts, $69,260. Estimated enrollment in private schools, 800.

PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.

GENERAL STATE REQUIREMENTS.

Each county has an examining board, consisting of the county superintendent and 2 experienced teachers holding first-class certificates, nominated by him and appointed at a meeting of presidents of district boards.

Teachers, to be employed in the public schools, must present to the proper school officers certificates of their qualifications to teach schools of the grade for which they apply, duplicates of which must be filed with the secretary of the board of education of the districts in which the schools are located.

STATE NORMAL TRAINING.

The West Virginia State normal school at Marshall College, Huntington, with its branches at Concord, Fairmont, Glenville, Shepherdstown, and West Liberty, all present courses of 3 years in normal training, and nearly all offer preparatory courses. The schools at Huntington, Fairmont, Shepherdstown, and West Liberty give collegiate training. All present the common and higher English branches, with ancient and modern languages optional.

OTHER NORMAL TRAINING.

West Virginia College has a normal course of 3 years. In the first and second years the branches required to be taught in the public schools of the State receive particular attention; in the second year, English language, literature, and the physical sciences. The third year is devoted to collegiate studies and an exposition of pedagogics as a science and an art. Upon a satisfactory completion of the prescribed course, a normal diploma is given, and the degree or bachelor of pedagogics conferred. A model school is attached to the institution, which is divided into 3 grades-primary, intermediate, and gramma

From the agent of the Peabody Fund, in 1884-'85, the State received $1,000 for Nashville scholarships and $300 for normal schools.

For statistics, see Table III of the Appendix.

Storer College, Harper's Ferry, for the education of the colored race, has, by arrange ment with the State school authorities, up to 1884-'85 trained a considerable number of colored pupils for normal work in the schools of West Virginia. Whether the arrangement has been continued since that time does not appear at the time at which this Report goes to press.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTES.

The law requires that teachers' institutes shall be beld annually, one or more in each county in the State, and teachers are required to attend in their respective counties. To defray the expenses of this instruction for its teachers the State makes an annual appropriation of $500, and in 1884-'85 the Peabody Fund appropriated $1,200 for this purpose. Thirty institutes were reported during the year, in 21 counties, showing an attendance of 1,873 teachers. As about 63 institutes are required each year, others not reported were probably held. Among those from which no official reports were received in season for notice were 2 for colored teachers, which are said to have been well attended.

EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL.

The West Virginia School Journal, published at Wheeling and edited by the State superintendent of free schools, is devoted to the educational interests of the State, and in 1885 was in its fourth volume.

SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

The State report gives no definite information in respect to high schools. One is reported in a return from Wheeling, but no statistics are given. The number in the State has usually been small.

OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

For statistics of business colleges, private academic schools, and preparatory departments of colleges, see Tables IV, VI, and IX of the Appendix; for summaries of them, see corresponding tables in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION.

COLLEGES FOR YOUNG MEN OR FOR BOTH SEXES.

West Virginia University, Morgantown, arranges its studies in 10 independent schools, of which 8 are academic and 2 professional. The former are schools of ancient languages, modern languages, English, geology and natural history, metaphysics, agriculture, physics and chemistry, and history and mathematics; the latter, schools of law and equity, and of anatomy, physiology, and hygiene. A military department is connected with the university, giving a 4-years course of training. Under the laws of the State, 5 cadets may be appointed from each senatorial district by the regent of said district. These receive tuition, books, and stationery free. The degrees conferred on graduates are B. S., M. S., B. A., M. A., and B. L.

Storer College, Harper's Ferry, besides its 4-years academic course, has, as before stated, offered 3 years of normal training, with two grades of preparatory study. Whether this is continued does not yet appear. Girls in the college are taught needlework, and boys printing to a limited extent. The State has in the past aided the school with 18 scholarships, and it is supposed will continue at least this aid.

Bethany College, Bethany, and West Virginia College, Flemington, open alike to both sexes, present classical and literary courses, the former of 4 and the latter of 3 years. The former has also scientific and ministerial courses, and a special ladies' course; the latter, philosophical, normal, and commercial departments. Both of these colleges give special attention to vocal and instrumental music.

For statistics of colleges reporting, see Table IX of the Appendix; for a summary of statistics, see the report of the Commissioner preceding.

INSTITUTIONS FOR THE SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION OF YOUNG WOMEN.

For statistics of schools of this class reporting, see Table VIII of the Appendix; for a summary of statistics, see the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION.
SCIENTIFIC.

The State university provides facilities for scientific study. To obtain its degree of Sci. B., it requires diplomas in the schools of metaphysics, modern languages, English,

geology and natural history, agriculture, chemistry and physics, with mathematics; also certificates of proficiency in physiology and hygiene. The degree of Sci. M. requires diplomas in the schools of like studies with the above, but, of course, of higher grade. Substitutes for some of these studies are allowed.

Bethany College, Bethany, had, in 1882-'83, under the head of "scientific course," a 4-years school of mathematics and astronomy; another of mental and political philosophy and belles-lettres, with apparently briefer ones in moral philosophy, natural sciences and modern languages, all preparing for the Sci. B. degree.

For statistics, see Table X of the Appendix; for a summary, see a corresponding table in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

PROFESSIONAL.

THEOLOGY.-Theological instruction is given in Bethany College, in a 4-years ministerial course, embracing the schools of sacred literature, Greek, Latin, mathematics and astronomy, natural science, mental and political philosophy and belles-lettres, and of sacred history and moral philosophy. The course leads to the degree of B. L.

LAW.-Legal training is offered in the State university, in a 2-years course of study, leading to the degree of B. L. The course embraces common and statute law, mercantile law, equity, evidence, and constitutional and international law.

MEDICINE.-Medical instruction is given in the State university school of anatomy, physiology, and hygiene, its aim being to teach anatomy thoroughly. Subjects for dissection are provided for the students. Physiology and hygiene are taught by specimens, the microscope, drawings, lectures, models, etc. Members of the class who give evidence at the final examination of successful study receive certificates of proficiency in the branches taught.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION.

EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB AND THE BLIND.

The West Virginia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind, Romney, in 1884-'85 enrolled 75 deaf pupils and 30 blind. They were taught the common school branches, with cabinet making, printing, shoemaking, and tailoring for the former, and chair caning and broom and mattress making for the latter. The average time spent in the school by the pupils is 7 years. The institution owns 25 acres of land, valued, with buildings, etc., at $80,000. State appropriation for the year, $25,000; expenditure, $22,956.

EDUCATIONAL CONVENTIONS.

WEST VIRGINIA EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

The State association met at Keyser, July 7-9, 1885, Hon. B. L. Butcher in the chair. The meeting was held in the commodious hall of the new school building, and was said to have been of the best ever held in the State. More than 100 teachers were in attendance, but some were not enrolled as members. An interesting paper on “Pestalozzi" was read by E. I. Hall, principal of Glenville Normal School, and was ably discussed by others. Mrs. N. Bayly, of Chicago, gave an instructive address, with illustrations, on "Object teaching." A paper was read the second day by Prof. U. S. Fleming on "Obedience," and one by Miss A. Abbott on "Primary teachers." "Civil service reform in our public schools" was discussed by Mr. J. N. David, who pointed out defects and recommended improvements. Addresses were delivered the third day by Hon. E. M. Turner, Dr. M. A. Newell of Maryland, and Hon. B. L. Butcher, the former State superintendent, after which the last named gentleman introduced his successor, Hon. B. S. Morgan, and the association adjourned.

CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICER.

HON. B. L. BUTCHER, State superintendent of free schools, Wheeling.

[Term, March 4, 1881, to March 4, 1885.]
Succeeded by Hon. B. S. MORGAN.
[Term, March 4, 1885, to March 4, 1889.]

a Includes permanent common school fund, $2.838,739; university fund, $225,673; agricultural college fund, $285,448; and normal school fund, $1,296,981.

(From returns of Hon. Robert Graham, State superintendent of public instruction of Wisconsin, for the years indicated.)

STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

ADMINISTRATION.

A State superintendent, elected biennially by the people, has general supervision of the public schools. Each county has a superintendent, and counties with 15,000 or inore inhabitants may have 2 of these officers. Districts have boards of 3 directors. Towns which have adopted the township system have township boards consisting of the

clerks of the several sub-districts belonging to the township. Women are eligible to all school offices except that of State superintendent. Public schools must be non-sectarian, and free to all resident youth of school age (4-21). A census of such youth is taken annually by the district clerks. Children 7-15 years of age must attend school at least 12 weeks in each school year, unless their education has been otherwise provided for, or unless they are excused for specified cause. The public school system includes high and normal schools and a State university. There are also State institutions for the blind and the deaf, and a State reform school.

SCHOOL FINANCES.

Public schools are supported from the income of a State school fund and from local taxation. The income of the State school fund is distributed annually to such towns and districts as send the required reports, showing that they have raised toward the support of common schools one half the amount last appropriated to them from the State fund, and have maintained schools at least 5 months in the year, a 3-months term being accepted in extraordinary cases. School money is apportioned according to the school census.

NEW LEGISLATION.

For the improvement and unification of local school supervision, State Superintendent Graham presented an important expedient which became a law in 1885. The statute provides that the State superintendent must hold annually at least 4 conventions for advice and instruction, and for consultation with county superintendents in regard to the supervision and management of public schools. It is made the duty of every superintendent to attend annually at least one of these conventions.

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

The school age in all these cities is 4 to 20. All report graded schools, classed as primary, grammar, and high, covering from 11 to 13 years. Music, drawing, and classical studies are included, and teachers' meetings are held throughout the school year.

Appleton, with a small increase in school population, eurollment, and attendance, reported 10 more teachers and $16,203 additional expenses. The schools were taught 176 days in 7 buildings, with a seating capacity of 2,450 pupils. School property was advanced in value from $110,500 in 1883-'84 to $142,100 in 1884-'85. Eurollment in private schools, 520.

Eau Claire public schools were taught 180 days in 13 buildings, containing 44 rooms with 3,000 sittings, valued, with other school property, at $558,700.

Fond du Lac reported a falling off in school population, with a corresponding advance in enrollment and attendance, 5 more teachers, and a slight increase in expenditure. The schools were in session 200 days in 17 buildings, containing 24 rooms for primary schools, 18 for grammar, and 4 for high, aggregating 3,800 sittings for study. Public school property was valued at $125,500. Enrollment in private schools, 600.

Janesville reports an increase in school population and in daily attendance, but a decrease in the enrollment in its public schools, with 4 fewer teachers. This decrease in enrollment is partly accounted for by the fact that 50 more children than in the year before were attending private schools, making in all 300. Public schools were taught 186 days