PREFACE. Excellent histories of the University and of higher education in Michigan have been published, but no connected history of the development of primary and secondary education in the State has appeared. Such history is found only in multifarious reports and other documents of a more or less permanent character. The lack of any history of this kind has been a matter of regret and inconvenience, and occasionally of reproach to the commonwealth. In a correspendence with the lamented Dr. B. A. Hinsdale, a short time previous to his death, he expressed his sense of the want of such a work, and urged some reasons why the present writer should undertake to supply it. Until that time I had formed no definite purpose of preparing this volume. Some circumstances, however, favored the undertaking. In the performance of my official duties, it had been necessary for me to acquaint myself with the school laws and educational institutions of the State; and in the preparation of histories of the normal school, of the institute work, of the educational funds, and of the State Teachers' Association, I had collected a considerable amount of material for such a history, and had discovered where still more material could be found. I have arranged this material in such form as, on the whole, seemed best adapted to the end in view. The plan adopted has necessitated occasionally a little repetition, and sometimes the separation of closely related matters. But it is believed that these disadvantages are not serious, and are more than compensated by offsetting advantages. It will be observed that I have quoted literally and freely from reports and other documents. This has been done of set purpose. I have preferred to allow men, as far as possible, to state their own position and express their own opinions in their own words. This enables the reader to form a judgment of his own relative to men and measures, instead of compelling him to accept or reject the ready-made judgment of the writer. It has been my good fortune to have some personal knowledge of all the Michigan Superintendents of Public Instruction, with the single exception of Mr. Sawyer. Superintendent Pierce was a neighbor for several years. I was intimately associated with Superintendents Gregory and Hosford during fourteen eventful years in the educational history of the State. Through personal intercourse it is possible to gather impressions and information which have never been committed to writing, and to get a more correct understanding of men and measures than can be obtained from printed documents. It will be generally admitted that one should profit by such opportunities. No one can be more sensible of the inadequacy of this presentation of the progressive development of the primary and secondary public school system of Michigan than the writer, but he hopes, nevertheless, that it may have something of interest and value to the teachers and to the people of the State generally. The preparation of this little volume practically closes a term of service in the educational work of my adopted State extending over a period of a half century. I commit it to the charitable judgment of those who may read it, and myself to the kindly remembrance of the many whom I have had the pleasure of knowing in the various relations which teachers and pupils sustain to one another. Normal College, Ypsilanti, 1904. CONTENTS. Three nations have ruled in Michigan. Centralization under the French. Education during the French period. Form of the Territorial government. First primary school law in the Territory. Catholipistemiad or University of Michigania, 1817. Conduct of the Affairs of the University. No local management of schools. Territorial government changed. Recommendations of Governor Cass. Law of 1827 for public schools. Change of this law recommended by Governor Cass. Provisions for the support of primary schools. Description of the schools by Justice Cooley. John D. Pierce appointed Superintendent. Mr. Pierce's first and second reports. Free Schools and required attendance. Schools of high character needed. Position of Mr. Pierce in respect to private schools. Duty and authority of the State. Charters for denominational colleges. Views of distinguished educators. Position of the Legislature; public sentiment.` Further discussion in relation to teachers. Opinion as to teachers' wages. Three legislative acts formed the system. Duties of certain county officers. Organization of the University; Branches. The Superintendent of Public Instruction. Summary of the original school system. |