TREASURER.-It is the business of the Treasurer to keep an itemized account with the Institute, in a book provided for the purpose, of all moneys received and paid out; to pay from whatever moneys are deposited with him all orders on the Treasurer properly authenticated; and to settle his accounts with the Auditor at the expiration of his term of office. His accounts should be neatly and systematically kept; and his book should present that business-like ap pearance which is expected to characterize the work of a teacher of a common-school,—that institution in which the majority of our people receive all the education they ever get in preparation for the business of life.

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FINANCIAL COMMITTEE.-In case the State furnishes means for the support of County Institutes, there would be little business for this committee to transact, unless such committee is designated by law to superintend its expenditure. But if money is needed for meeting the ordinary expenses, it is the business of this committee to devise the ways and means for raising it. In some cases the regulations require an initiation fee, or an annual tax on all its members. In others, to encourage a larger membership, no fee or tax is imposed, and all necessary expenses are met by voluntary contributions of its members, or by an assessment about equal to the expense. When this latter policy is pursued, the committee should ascertain, as early in the session as possible, the probable

expense, and have the collection made in time for the Treasurer to pay all bills before the final adjournment. It is, however, the best policy, as there is always considerable expense attending the operations of an Institute, to have an annual tax on all alike, whether old or new members. The committee should attend to the collection of this tax, and should issue certificates which will constitute a receipt for its payment, and will be evidence to school-officers of membership and attendance. A neat phraseology, with an appropriate device printed upon card-paper, is a very convenient form. Each certificate should be signed by the President, and countersigned by the Secretary. This certificate will also be convenient in case railroad companies grant reduction of fare to members, as a means of identifying them.

AUDITOR.-The Auditor has to examine and decide upon the accounts of the Financial Committee and the Treasurer, and make his report to the Institute. When this report has been accepted and passed, it should be entered upon the Secretary's book.

COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS.-It is usual for an Institute to pass, before adjournment, a series of resolutions expressive of its feelings and sentiments. As these resolutions are usually published, it becomes a very convenient means of directing public attention to any needed improvements, and of leading the sentiment of the community in the right direction. These resolutions should be thoroughly meditated

and carefully drawn, avoiding all matters calculated to excite odium, unless needed to correct existing abuses, or to inaugurate needed reforms. This committee should hold a meeting early in the session, and take the proper steps to have the resolutions perfected and adopted in committee, without being compelled to resort to unusual haste.

COMMITTEE OF RECEPTION.-The members of this committee should attend to the arrangement and seating of members of the Institute and spectators, should give all information desired to new members, and look after the general interests. It is also the business of this committee to furnish the Secretary with lists of the names and residences of the teachers, and should keep them revised from day to day as new members arrive.

TOWNSHIP OR DISTRICT INSTITUTES.

These are

TOWNSHIP OR DISTRICT INSTITUTES. formed by the teachers of a single township, or by a union of the teachers of two or three contiguous townships. They are held weekly or semi-weekly, and are designed for the mutual improvement of the members in the studies which they are teaching, for comparing their methods of instruction and government, and for their advancement in general information.

The place of meeting is in some cases permanent, at some central point; in others it is changed from week to week, so as to visit all parts of the section embraced. It is doubtless the better policy to have a regular place of meeting. The time of meeting is either in the evening or on Saturday. A plan which is sometimes adopted, and which, if judiciously conducted, will result in much good, is for all the schools to be closed on Saturday except the one where the Institute is to meet, and that is kept open during the forenoon of that day. The teachers all assemble there in the morning and witness the operations of that school for a half day, and in the afternoon at

tend to the business of the Institute. By circulating in this way through the different schools, opportunity is afforded for observing the practical ability displayed by each teacher, and much valuable information is thereby gained.

For cities and villages a permanent organization can be made, similar to that adopted in the County Institutes; but for the rural districts, where the school-term is short and there is frequent change of teachers, a temporary organization from one meeting to another may be adopted, selecting some one of the citizens to act as chairman. Care should always be exercised, however, to have the order of exercises reported before adjournment for the next succeeding meeting, so that those who are appointed for special duty may have opportunity to prepare themselves upon the subjects assigned. The following order of exercises will suggest the course to be pursued:

Programme for Friday evening, Jan. 31, 1862.

1. Calling roll of members, and responding by senti

ments...

2. Singing.

3. Class-drill, conducted by Mr. A

4. Select reading by Miss B

5. Singing...

6. Sub-lecture on Map-drawing by Mr. C

7. Essay by Miss E

8. Singing...

9. Lecture or Discussion...

10. Answering questions from the "Query-box”.

MINUTES

5

5

30

10

5

10

10

5

35

20