accomplished by visiting the schools and showing an interest in the work not only by directors but by patrons in general.

CLERKS' REPORTS.-In a majority of cases defective, and does not know how it can be remedied unless, as has been suggested, some uniformity in the form of books kept can be established, either by a legislative enactment or department regulation. But what this form could suggest, more than is suggested by the form of the blank report itself, which each district clerk has in his possession, is difficult to say.

CLERKS' BONDS.-Until recently very few clerks have been required to give bonds, but the practice is becoming more general, and it is well that it is.

CONDITION OF SCHOOL HOUSES.—While we may yet find in this county the clay fireplace, one row of seats around the room facing the wall, seats without backs, and the puncheon floor, find also school houses that are well seated, with high ceilings and low windows. Again, while find in these poorly equipped districts a feeling that "what was good enough for us is good enough for our boys and girls," we find also the spirit of advancement, in harmony with the age, which invariably wins. The new buildings which have been built of late are frame, instead of log, although some of them have been built where logs are plentiful and lumber hard to obtain.

LOCAL EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS.-This matter has often been talked of during the winter season, but owing to condition of roads at that time it would be difficult for a sufficient number to attend at that time to make it interesting, and during the summer, county institute was held, and, good many consider they are doing well if they attend this.

COUNTY INSTITUTES.-One institute of two days' duration was held in 1886. Was productive of much good. Was the verdict of all that teachers in general took a more active part than heretofore in discussion of various subjects. Thinks it owing to the fact that through a series of annual institutes, teachers have become better acquainted, hence less timid about engaging in the discussions of various topics. Institute was largely attended, considering number of teachers, and the directors generous in allowing the teachers their time without deducting from their wages.

EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS. Has always believed in public examinations only, and is glad that a law to that effect has been passed. Believes it would have been a better law did it not allow the granting of permits. For this reason that an applicant may obtain certain percentages with one set of questions and get his permit, when at the following public examination, while the questions may be no harder, he may not happen to be acquainted with them as with the preceding, and failing, be compelled to quit in the middle of a term of school. [Ought to be able to answer any ordinary examination questions.-Ed].

TEACHERS' CERTIFICATES, EXAMINATIONS, ETC.-We have teachers who hold good, first-grade certificates attending the public examinations, endeavoring to better the percentages of standing in the various branches, and especially in those in which they consider themselves weak. The results of these efforts is generally gratifying to both applicant and examiner.

TEACHERS' PERMANENCY OF WORK, ETC.-We have some teachers who have entered the field with the intention of making it a life business, but as has often been observed, the majority remain in the business only till that time when a greater inducement, in the form of salary, is offered in some other direction.

TEACHERS' REPORTS.-Teachers' reports are generally prompt and correct. REVIEWS AND EXAMINATIONS IN SCHOOLS.-Some of our teachers are adopting the plan of monthly, semi-monthly and even weekly reviews. Deems it an excellent plan to hold th ́se periodical examinations. My plan would be

about every three weeks to have all books taken home Thursday evening, and spend Friday as an examination day. Make it written as far as possible, use paper of uniform size and style, look over the papers out of school hours, and if practicable adopt some way of informing parents or guardians of the results of the examination.

SECTION 42, SCHOOL LAWS. —I do not think this section is generally understood throughout the county. At least none of the new districts formed during this part of my term have taken advantage of it, and I believe that the repeal of the same would be productive of more good than its observance, should all the new districts to be formed, or a majority of them even, see fit to take advantage of it as it now stands.

NEW APPORTIONMENT LAW.-While it has caused some dissatisfaction in the larger districts, it has met with great favor in the smaller ones, and of course the majority of the pupils are in the small districts. Its good effects can be seen in this, that the forming of new districts in some of those that were large, though sparsely settled, has offered school facilities to a good many who could not attend heretofore on account of distance from the school house.. And the forming of these new districts has been fostered principally by the $50 scheme of apportionment. That the new law has offered school facilities to more pupils may be seen from the fact that in 1885 and 1886 the enrollment was 55 per cent. of the enumeration, and in 1886 and 1887 the enrollment was 67 per cent. of the enumeration.

EDUCATIONAL OUTLOOK.-Considering the increase in the percentage of attendance, the number of new districts forming and the favor with which many patrons look upon their schools, I think the outlook good.

CROOK COUNTY.-SUPERINTENDENT, WM. JOHNSON.

THE TEACHERS' PERMITS.-The only difficulty had applies to the granting of permits. These are only valid until the next general examination, Να doubt in the counties west of the Cascades, where traveling facilities exist, the law can be strictly enforced. On the east of the mountains, where applicants reside sixty to eighty miles from the county seat, it is often a matter of difficulty to comply. Cites a case in point:

A permit was granted to A. B. in December, 1887. He was required to be present at February, 1888, examination. At that time an epidemic of measles was raging at the county seat; the teacher was afraid to expose himself, never having had them. Likewise there was danger of infection to the scholars. The case was presented to the superintendent and was requested to do the best he could. The officers of the district wished to continue the school, and were not in favor of the teacher incurring danger. Under the circumstances continued the permit until next examination. He attended and cbtained a regular certificate. No doubt superintendent had no authority to do so, but as the exigencies of the case required some action or decision, did the best he could for all parties.

CURRY COUNTY.-SUPERINTENDENT, WM. S. GUERIN.

Enumeration.-According to annual report will observe that number of pupils between 4 and 20 years of age in county is 632; enrolled, 244; average daily attendance, 205. Number in attendance during the year is small when compared with the total number drawing school money. The main reason to be assigned is the distance pupils have to travel to school and the severity of the weather in winter. The different sections of the county are gradually

being settled, and new districts will necessarily be formed, which will make school privileges acceseible to all.

Apparatus.-With the above the schools of the county are by no means well supplied, and a change for the better will not be inaugurated until some mode of legislation has been brought to bear upon the subject. Has often thought that the difficulty might be met by the simple expenditure of 10 per cent. of the school money in the districts drawing $200 apportionment or less during the year, until such time as good blackboards, maps, etc,, were secured, and the desired results attained; requiring directors of the several districts to consult with the superintendent as to purchase and cost of the same. Is satisfied that it would in no way conflict with the general interests of the schools, since to meet the deficiency to keep up a district organization, or to have four or five months' term taught, would merely necessitate a little extra private expenditure of money on the part of each patron of a district.

Directors. The law is very plain as to the duties of directors, but it frequently happens that many of those selected to discharge the responsible duties of so important a position are men (in an educational sense) wholly incompetent to meet the requirements with ability. Admitting that they take sufficient interest to visit their school, they seldom have any suggestions to make, and silently acquiesce in the general movements of the school as conducted by the teacher. It is a trustworthy position, and one fraught with many responsibilities to a district, and those most competent to discharge the duties of that office should in every instance be selected.

Clerks' Reports.-Is pleased to remark, that with but few exceptions, there is a commendable improvement in the accuracy with which clerks' reports are made out. It is an established fact that without correct reports from district clerks embracing all the details of a district in a minute form, it is impossible for the superintendent to be concise in his reports.

Clerks Bonds.-The form of bond as prescribed by law in relation to district clerks should in every sense be enforced "verbatim et literatum," in order to secure a district from any loss being entailed upon it from any untoward circumstance that might casually arise. Knows of no instance in his county where it has been otherwise than enforced.

School Houses.-Some of the school houses of county are sufficiently commodious for all purposes, but the interior lacks the necessary apparatus and conveniences so important to imparting proper instruction, while others are poorly constructed and sorely in need of better facilities. The location of a school house should be a matter of great moment to a district. The site selected should be one that would embrace the advantages of accessibility to all in the district, proximity to water, pleasing shade and other natural features.

Local Educational Meetings.-While all must agree that local educational meetings would prove a source of benefit to all who would take part in them, still in the present isolated condition of the districts and the distance existing between them, it does not seem to be practicable, especially when we consider the fact that most of the teachers who figure in our schools (and the number is very small) are only transient, and not long enough identified with the schools to make a success of such an undertaking.

Examination of Teachers.-Each applicant for the position of teacher should be thoroughly and critically examined on all the branches, because upon the merits and qualifications of the teacher depend the success and mental welfare of the scholars entrusted to him. The fact of a teacher passing the required examination does not always imply that he or she is or will be a successful teacher, for as in the Latin adage, “orator nascitur non fit," so I think the same might be applied with a certain degree of force to the teacher.

Teachers' Certificates.—Says he: "Since you have again asked my opinion in regard to 'teachers' certificates' I will say, with all due courtesy to you and my colleagues in this vital work of education, that I am strongly opposed to this third-grade certificate, because the tendency will now be more than heretofore to introduce into our schools a class of teachers who will naturally underbid those who have been for years in the profession; and as the cry in our county, as elsewhere, is for cheap teachers, it is reasonable to suppose that the services of one holding a third-grade certificate, who will teach for $30 or 40 per month, will be secured in preference to paying more liberal wages to a professional teacher, and will be the means of thrusting standard merit and sterling worth from the schools. I doubt very strongly whether the superintendents who advocated the additional grade make their bread and butter out of the profession. If they do, they certainly stand in their own light.

Teachers' Certificates.-While all are unanimous in regard to the payment of more liberal wages, yet it seems to me that this will prove the means of a general decrease of wages, instead of an increase, in the more unsettled portions of each county, and result in crowding men of ability and talent from the school room. I am merely expressing my views in behalf of those who have made their living out of, and have stood by the profession. Again; although in the primary departments of the city schools, the third grade may he feasible, still each one of our district schools comprise all the different grades, and we find some pretty well advanced, requiring the very best instruction to carry them on to a higher course.

Qualifications of Teachers.-The qualifications of a teacher are many and too numerous to mention. He should by all means be versed in the branches of the common school curriculum, accurate in the exposition of general truths, capable of clear analytical reasoning, moral, courteous, gentlemanly and forbearing in his manner, a man of great patience, and fully qualified to govern and discipline his pupils, and should furthermore possess the quality of not losing his temper, for boys enjoy a sense of sweet satisfaction when they can ruffle a teacher's temper. He should study the nature and disposition of each pupil, and devise the best means to reach one and all.

Teachers' Continuity.—It is better for one teacher to continue his work than for districts to be constantly changing, providing that a teacher is capable of advancing his pupils from year to year.

Teachers' Salaries.-The salary paid to some teachers is in many instances inadequate, while others receive more than they deserve, when qualifications are considered.

Teachers' Reports.-Teachers' reports have been forwarded very promptly and embrace all the information required by law.

Teachers' Examinations-Reviews.-I consider reviews and examinations indispensable, for it is the only sure way by which accuracy and thoroughness can be attained. There is nothing that will serve to impress facts so firmly upon the mind as frequent reviews, for it is only by constantly reviewing that the more complicated and intricate principles can be durably impressed and repetition is the necessary adjunct of it, which facts I frequently bring forward in my school and school visits.

New School Districts.-In regard to section 42 of the school laws, which provides "that a newly organized district shall not be required to have a school for the space of three years' duration" it appears to me that newly established districts are accorded too long a time in which money received from State and County apportionments may accumulate. If a school district can keep up its organization after the period of three years specified by law, it seems reasonable to suppose that it could be done in the beginning. In connection with section 25, subdivision 5, the practical workings of the law has been

carried out to the letter and has been a source of great benefit to the smaller districts.

Official Labors.-I have been unable to visit the schools in this county as often as I should wish. The districts are widely separated and it would require my time in the summer when I am engaged in the school-room. It can hardly be expected of a man that he will spend two dollars to make one. This county pays the mere pittance of $90 per annum, a sum by no means an adequate remuneration for the duties performed. I have appealed to the county court to raise the salary sufficiently to meet the requirements of the office, but in every instance they have turned a deaf ear to me.

Educational Outlook.-There is an increasing tendency on the part of most of our districts to lengthen the term of school, and a greater zeal and interest have been aroused by the more frequent visits made by patrons of the several districts. I can see a decided improvement in many of our schools, and the progress indicated only serves to show that we have pupils in the south western part of the State very well advanced in their studies, and zealous in the acquisition of practical knowledge. Considering the limited advantages of some, so far as school privileges are concerned, they have done remarkably well and evince a spirit of progress that will rank well with other districts. DOUGLAS COUNTY. SUPERINTENDENT, GEO. T. RUSSELL. Enumeration. The present mode of enumeration has many objectionable features, one of which is the oppprtunity for making false returns. There are unscrupulous people everywhere; persons devoid of every sense of honor, and more so when they come in contact with public funds they are ready to draw more than their legitimate share. The boundaries of districts are so poorly defined that a person so disposed may easily pass beyond the district boundary and number those belonging in another district. The question naturally arises, "How are we to guard against this public peculation?". Let some one person be appointed who shall in person visit every family in the district, taking down the name in full, also the age and sex of each child of school age in the district. This would, of course, take time and involve some expense, but it would be a public benefit.

Enrollment, when compared with the enumeration, would seem to justify my remarks relative to the present manner of numbering the children of the State, demonstrating very clearly the absolute necessity of a change. With greater vigilance we shall hereafter be able to make a better showing compared with the present. There are other causes, among which is the great distance pupils have to travel in going to and returning from school. When the roads are bad it is almost impossible for the younger pupils (and they preponderate in many districts) to attend school. The increase of districts will obviate this disadvantage to some extent. An increased solicitude on the part of parents to have their children educated will also serve to lessen the disparagement between enrollment and actual attendance.

Again, the great difference between the actual enrollment and average daily attendance is a painful realization of the fact that our common schools are not properly appreciated. Must try and devise some plan by which we may be able to reach the unappreciative class and get them interested in the schools. Again, this dissimilarity of numbers may be accounted for in this way: Comparatively few of the 4-year-old children attend school, and of the whole number enumerated quite a per cent. are of the named age. The personal visitation suggested in another place will correct this matter also, and thereby insure more encouragement and hope for the future.

Another mistake in present system of enumeration is that of enrolling