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16  17 

These are interesting facts in regard to that far-off State; the more so, when we consider that a large portion of its white population is uncultivated, and has been disloyal and turbulent. And yet, while there are many warm friends of the Government and of the freedmen in Texas, it is the opinion of the State Commissioner that their schools could not go on at all without the presence of military authority. Especially would this be true in the rural districts. 

These schools now number ninety, (90), with forty-three (43) teachers, and four thousand five hundred and ninety (4,590) pupils; a gain of more than four-fold over the report on the first of January last. No other State can show so rapid an increase. 

ARKANSAS.

The report of the Superintendent of Education for Arkansas gives a very favorable account of the progress made in that State. There, as everywhere else, the freedmen labor under the disadvantage of poverty, and the lack of proper buildings in which to hold schools. One of the largest schools in Helena, for instance, is kept in an old building without a floor, previously used as a mule stable. A few miles below the city, a school is kept in a hole in the ground, merely an excavation under the blockhouse. The reason assigned for having a school under, instead of in the house was, that Gen. PILLOW was unwilling to have the timbers cut through for windows.——This, however. seems to be an exceptional case, as there is apparently a more friendly feeling than formerly on the part of the citizens generally towards schools for freedmen; or, there is less unfriendliness. The schools have continued without molestation during the quarter, the teachers have not been threatened or insulted, and no military has been called on for protection, facts which are worthy of note. 

The Northern Aid Societies have been fortunate in securing the confidence without exciting the prejudice of the late owners. 

To some extent a tuition-fee has been received, but no scholars have been excluded who were unable to pay.——This fee has never exceeded one dollar per month, while the expense to the Aid Commissioners is not less than two dollars per month per scholar. 

Everywhere there is eagerness to learn, and it is important that more schools should be established, not only elementary, but those of a higher grade, such as will incite the ambition of the pupils. Earnest efforts are, therefore, being now made by the Superintendent to have the number of schools largely increased during the coming winter, and action has been taken which it is hoped will result in the erection, in some parts of the State, of suitable school-buildings.

Number of Schools in the State - - 30
Number of Teachers in the State - - 28
Number of Pupils, in the State - - 1,584

Five of the above teachers are colored persons. In some of the large towns the teachers meet weekly for consultation and mutual improvement. 

KANSAS.

Kansas, though still included in the Department with Arkansas and Missouri, does not make very definite reports. We learn from the Assistant Commissioner that at the present time there are 15 schools, 24 teachers, and 1,500 pupils. This makes an increase of 50 per cent. during the last six months. The same general prosperity and public interest in these schools is manifested as in the past, with enlarged success. They are to a good degree self-supporting, but for some of them assistance has been received from the Freedmen's Aid Commission. 

MISSOURI.

This State has proposed to educate the freedmen, and the probability is that they will enter upon the work quite extensively during the coming season.—The freedmen manifest their usual earnestness upon the subject of education, and will gladly pay liberally toward the support of schools; but they meet with obstacles in obtaining competent teachers. 

The returns give 38 schools, 46 teachers, and 2,698 pupils. 

KENTUCKY.

The statistical report gives the number of schools in this State as thirty-five, (35), teachers fifty-eight, (58), and pupils four thousand one hundred and twenty-two, (4,122). Most of the schools are taught by colored teachers, and mainly supported by subscriptions from freed people. Their progress has necessarily been slow, as such a system of education has been of course very incomplete. It was the best they could have until the announcement by the Honorable Secretary of State, on 10th of December last, proclaiming slavery in the United