of voting on special district taxes was shifted from “qualified voters” to “taxpayers.”
Supt. Horton’s published report, covering the period September 1, 1882, to August 81, 1884, shows an essential differentiation in its review from earlier ones. There were signs of general improvement:
Our teaching force has also increased, there being 45 more teachers than reported last year. Many of our teachers have had the advantages of a normal-school training, and it is a noticeable fact that at least one-half of those who have applied for certificates during the last two years [25 were granted] are graduates of universities or normal schools. The standard of scholarship required for license to teach is being gradually raised throughout the Territory. The county examiners are using commendable zeal in the matter, and are more careful in granting certificates, and the consequence is better teaching ability is coming to the front.
This desirable result was attained notwithstanding the examiners were unpaid and gave their time at financial loss to themselves. Examinations were held three times a year; there were two grades of certificates given, and 75 per cent was the passing mark. For the second grade the applicant was examined on arithmetic (oral and written), grammar (oral and written), orthography, geography, history, methods of teaching, penmanship, composition, and word analysis. To these subjects there were added, for the first-grade certificate, physiology and algebra. These were county certificates; the first grade was good for four years; the second grade for two. A first-grade certificate was necessary to teach the grammar grades.
The new schoolhouses erected during this period were said to be very substantial and well adapted for their purpose:
Several of them have been built with an eye to beauty of design and finish, as well as to comfort, and are supplied with the latest improved furniture and apparatus. The public-school buildings in Prescott, Phoenix, Tucson, and Tombstone will compare very favorably with those of many of the States or Territories. Florence has nearly completed a substantial school building, and Yuma will soon begin the erection of one. The rural districts have shown an equal desire to have comfortable and attractive school buildings. This is particularly noticeable in the counties of Cochise, Graham, Apache, Yavapai, and Maricopa. The majority of the country schools are now supplied with the necessary school apparatus.
In his report to the Secretary of the Interior, dated September 30, 1883, which may be taken as substantially representing the school year 1882–83, Gov. Tritle gave the number of the schools as follows: Yavapai, 29; Apache, 15; Cochise, 11; Pima and Maricopa, 10 each; Pinal, 7; Graham, 6; Gila, Yuma, and Mohave, 3 each.
By reason of the negligence, indifference, or ignorance of some of the local school trustees, the schools got little supervision from them, and the duties of the county superintendent were such as to leave them “virtually without supervision,” for the duties of the probate
