This law needs some slight amendments to make it more effective. Section 1760 of the Code should be amended so as to require the teacher to include in his register, which he files with the secretary at the close of his school, a certificate that he has fully complied with the provisions of the law. Section 1745 should also be amended so that the secretary should be required to furnish the county superintendent with a transcript of the action of the board as required by section 2, chapter 1, laws of 1886, and also with the names of those teachers who have and those who have not, filed the required certificate.

The attempt to teach the children and youth the injurious effects of stimulants and narcotics, promises great good to the cause of temperance. The aim of such instruction should be to fortify the child against the formation of bad habits in his youth, and to lay the foundations upon which to build the higher work of strengthening the will, so that he may be able to resist temptation from whatever source it may come. In this connection I am free to say that I believe there should be upon our statute book, a law, making it a misdemeanor, punishable by a heavy fine, to sell tobacco in any form to a minor under sixteen years of age. The necessity of such a law is becoming more apparent every day, and we ought not longer to delay its enactment.

STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS.

In order that the teachers of the State might have some reliable information, as to the manner of conducting examinations for State certificates and life diplomas, the board of examiners issued the following circular. This scheme is, of course, liable to change in the future, as the examiners may think best. The board of examiners have endeavored to make the examinations reasonably thorough; at the same time, however, they have had respect to the character and successful experience of the candidates, as well as to their scholarship:

GROUPS OF SUBJECTS FOR CERTIFICATES.

1. The candidate must write an essay at the time of examination upon some topic selected by the examiners, from United States History; and upon this essay will be based his markings in United States History, Orthography, Penmanship, and English Grammar.

2. One of the following branches selected by the board: Arithmetic, Algebra, Book-keeping.

3. One of the following branches selected by the board, which will require illustrative drawing: Physiology, Botany, Physics, Geography. 4. School Laws of Iowa, and Civil Government.

5. Didactics, Reading.

TESTIMONIALS AND CREDENTIALS FOR STATE CERTIFICATES.

1. Written professional statements from one or more county superintendents, or professional educators, certifying to the professional success and good moral character of the applicant.

2. Written official statements from school boards, or directors, for whom teaching has been done,, certifying to the success of the applicant as to teaching and government.

3. At the time of registration of the applicant, the names of three disinterested persons of liberal education shall be given as references. In addition, the board hold the right to apply to others for information, if these are not entirely satisfactory.

4. Unless a certificate has been granted in Iowa since July 1, 1887, the candidate will be subject to examination in effects of alcoholic stimulants and narcotics, in compliance with chapter 1, laws of 1886.

EXPERIENCE.

The board will not not issue a certificate to any one having had less than three years' experience, part of which must have been in Iowa. Allowance, however, will be made for those having attended the state normal school, state university, or any accredited institution having a normal department; but in no case will a certificate be issued to any person having had less than three terms' successful experience in teaching.

REQUIREMENTS AND CREDENTIALS FOR LIFE DIPLOMAS.

In his registration blank the candidate will be asked to certify to the fact that he has taught, or studied, the branches named in each group. In order to obtain the life diploma, the candidate must comply with the following conditions:

1. He must produce evidence that he has been engaged in teaching at least ten years, three of which must have been in Iowa.

2. He must pass an examination in the Science and Art of Education and in two subjects selected by him from the following groups, one of which shall be taken from group A or B, and the other shall be taken from group C. 3. In this examination the candidate may select one of the two subjects as of primary importance, upon which he may expect a more thorough examination and on which his thesis should be based.

4. He must present an original thesis in his own hand-writing of not less than 3,000 nor more than 5,000 words, upon some special topic embraced in one of the subjects selected for examination. This thesis will be subjected to a critical examination by at least two persons selected by the board.

5. The certificates required, the registration blank properly filled, and the thesis accompanied by the fee of $5.00, must be filed with the president of the board at least thirty days before the date fixed for the examination. 6. Each paper submitted will be examined with particular reference to the correct use of the English language.

GROUPS OF SUBJECTS.

A. Geometry, Trigonometry, Astronomy.

B. Chemistry, Zoology, Geology.

C. English Literature, Rhetoric, General History, Political Economy. Psychology.

TESTIMONIALS AND CREDENTIALS FOR LIFE DIPLOMAS.

1. Written professional statements from three or more county superintendents, or professional educators, certifying to the professional success and the good moral character of the applicant.

2. Written official statements from school boards, for whom the applicant has taught, or is now teaching, that he is successful in teaching and govern

ment.

3. At the time of registration of applicant, the names of three disinterested parties of liberal education shall be given as references. The board hold the right to investigate further, until fully satisfied.

4. Unless a certificate has been granted in Iowa since July 1, 1887, the candidate will be subject to examination in effects of alcoholic stimulants and narcotics, in compliance with chapter 1, laws of 1886.

ADDITIONAL RULES.

At a meeting of the board of examiners, held at Des Moines, December 27, 1888, the following action was had:

Resolved: That life diplomas may be issued to graduates of approved institutions, located either within or without the state of Iowa, now engaged in teaching, upon the following conditions:

1. The candidate shall file with the president of the board, at least thirty days before the time appointed for a regular meeting:

a. The required registration blank properly filled out, accompanied by the fee, five dollars, as required by law.

b. A thesis in his own hand-writing upon a professional subject, selected, or at least approved, by the president of the board.

C. The proofs as to experience and success, such as are required of all candidates for life diplomas, covering an experience of ten years' teaching, three of which must have been in Iowa.

2. He shall submit, for the approval of the board, his diploma, together with a copy of the course of study pursued by him at the institution of which he is a graduate.

3. He may file with the president of the board any other credentials testifying to his character, his scholarship, and his personal success as a teacher.

4. He must receive the unanimous vote of the board of examiners. HENRY SABIN, President State Board Examiners.

F. B. COOPER,

Secretary.

DES MOINES, March 1, 1889.

Appended is a list of the names of all persons to whom State certificates or life diplomas have been granted since the last report of this department, together with the date of issue and the county in which said applicant resided. We also append a statement of all fees received, which have been covered into the State treasury as the law directs, and of the name of each person in whose favor warrants have been drawn upon the State examiners' fund and the amount of the same, during the period covered by this report: