The Danbury News

EDUCATIONAL.

The committee on educational matters has heard Governor Jewell's views upon the management of the school fund. He favored the increase of the principal and interest of the school fund; it should produce more revenue, as it should not be loaned at less than seven per cent. That the moneyed institutions of this city should get seven per cent. and more for their funds and the school fund less than that is simply absurd. He suggested that there should be a board composed of several members, for the management of the fund, which now amounts to $2,000,000; now, one person (Judge Payne) has the sole care of this immense sum. By the change proposed, he thinks the revenue could be increased $40,000. There is great disparity between the expense of maintaining schools in sparsely settled districts and the cities, and it would be found beneficial, to equalize the burden, to impose a light tax, one that would produce $25,000 a year to add to the income from the invested school fund, and the establishment of a school commission. He recommended a bill authorizing the money of the fund to be loaned at seven per cent. interest. One of the committee stated that the money could be loaned in Illinois at 10 per cent. And the Governor remarked that, if the money was loaned for the benefit of the borrower it should be kept at home, but if for the benefit of the children then loan it where it will realize the most. Judge Carpenter favored increasing the rate of interest one per cent. at least, and that holders be notified that upon the expiration of a year they must pay seven per cent. or return the money. The committee favored an increase of the Normal School fund from $7,500 to $10,000. The chairman suggested that county boards be substituted for school visitors. The truant law, and the schooling of minors in factories are subjects to be presented by the committee to the consideration of the legislature, with a view to making desirable changes.