STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

The twenty-first annual session of the State Teachers' Association was held at Jonesboro in August, 1885. The attendance was large and an unusual good interest was maintained during the entire proceedings. Great hospitality was shown by the citizens of the town in their entertainment of the members of the association and other visitors. Hon. Howell E. Jackson, United States Senator from Tennessee, was present and favored the association with an able address on National Aid to Education. Altogether the session at Jonesboro was a most profitable one, and the members were delighted in mingling with the good people of that old historic town.

TEACHERS' READING CIRCLE.

At the last meeting of our State Teachers' Association, the necessity of a Teachers' Reading Circle was urged by Prof. John L. Lampson, of the State Normal College, Nashville, as one of the many means of improving teachers in professional and general culture. Its necessity and propriety were immediately recognized by the association, and in order to establish reading circles through the State, a State Board of Directors was appointed to act until the next meeting of the association.

For further information on this subject, reference is made to the report of the Secretary of the State Board of Directors, which may be found in the Appendix.

CITY SCHOOLS.

The reports from the superintendents of the various cities of the State having a system of graded public schools show continued progress. It has been my pleasure to visit several of these during the year, and in doing so I have been much impressed with the painstaking and thorough work done by both superintendents and teachers.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.

I am pleased to note that our county superintendents are doing most excellent service in promoting the interests of the

public schools. They richly deserve public praise for their earnestness and skillful management in this regard. They are familiar with their own fields of labor, and know the needs of the schools which they superintend, and it is no more than just to say here that they are doing well their work.

COL. LEON TROUSDALE.

During the twelve weeks that I was absent on account of institute work, Col. Trousdale was employed to take my place in the office. It is needless to say that all the responsibilities connected with the department were promptly met and all duties satisfactorily discharged. He has so long been at the head of our public school system, and has so faithfully served the State in this capacity, that the mere announcement of the fact that he is at the helm inspires confidence that all is well. To your Excellency I again tender thanks for wise counsel and liberal encouragement in an effort to promote the cause of popular education.

Very respectfully,

THOMAS H. PAINE.

APPENDIX.

2

TABLE I.

Statement of the Scholastic Population of Tennessee, between the ages of six and twenty-one years, on the 30th day of June, 1885, as enumerated by the District Clerks and Treasurers, and reported by the Superintendents for the various Counties to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.