scholars. the amount paid for tuition and i0- cidental expenses, and the public money re- ceiyed in each school district. and the length of time school may have been kept therein, with any disclosures in relation to the defects of our system, and suggestions of plans for its improvement, which they shall deem expedi- eut. The requirement. of such reports, as preIimnariesto the payment of the dividends on the School Fund, with the known design of their ultimate presentation to the public eye, would naturally excite increased vigil ance and activity in the visitors themselves, as well as in the teachers Of District schools, and produce laudable and general spirit of emulation among our youth. Influenced by these considerations, I recommend the meas ure. s .-

 It is pleasing to know, that the School Fund, estimated at more than one million eight hundred and eighty-two thousand dol lars, has suffered no loss in the last fiscal year, and that by vigilant and judicions manage ment, its productiveness has been augment ed. The dividends from the income of the fund in the year, as will appear by the state mcnt of the Commissioners. have amounted to seyenty-six thousand five hundred and thirteen dollars and fifty cents; transcending by more than four thousand dollars. the sum paid in any preceding year. These dividends being apportioned according to the number of persons in the State, between the ages of four and sixteen years which, by the emu meration made in August last, was ascertain | ed to be eighty five thousand and fifteen ex- ] tend to each school district, with very mod crate additional sum to be raised by its inhab- itants, the means of constantly supporting a good school, and thus place within the reach of every child in the State, the invaluable blessing of a good common education. 1t may be justly anticipated. and it is. .anxiously hoped, that privileges and advantages 30 dis tinguished, will be universally embraced and seduously improved.

 An extraordinary and gratifying spectacle is presented in the financial operations ofthis State. Its treasury disbursements in the form of dividends on the School Fund, for the pro- motion of objects of vital interest, amounted 1 in the last year 10 more than double the sum collected from the citizens of the State with in the same period, in every form of state tax ation. While this munifcent provision for the cultivation and diffusion of knowledge, commands just and universal admiration, the investment and safety of the Fund are right

 full objects of legi slative care and scrutiny. , Notwithstanding the Edifce, at this ses sion, first occupied by the General Assembl, is not entirely completed, it still affords in creased and desirable accommodations anc facilities in the transaction of the public bus

 ness. May sound wisdom, integrity, patriot

 ism, and an uncompromising adherence tc right and justice, ever predominate in all de Alterations, proceedings, and acts, within its walls, and may no event here take place. tn the progress of ages, calculated to impair the invaluable institutions transmitted to this gen. eration by a Divine Providence through the

 irmness and virtue of their fathers, or to a. bridge the exercise of the great and immuta- ble principles of political, civil and religious liberty. ,sAI1

 I GIDEON TOMLINSON.

 General Assembly, Session cf 1880.