The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-04-20
State Commissioner Of Common
Schools.

II must be executed. A prominent feature
in its provisions calls for the above officer.
A State Convention must be called to nom
mate a man for that Office. Already the
question is asked: What ought to be his
qualifications : Some have gone further,
and designated the man Of their choice.
To know what kind of a man is wanted,
We mus know the duty to be done.
The School law provides that at the next
annual election, the Commissioner shall be
elected for three years. He is required to
give a heavy bond and take an oath. His
Office must be at the Capitol but he is re-
quired to spend annually, at least ten days
in each judicial district of the State. He
must superintend and encourage teachers
Institutes, confer with township boards of
education or other school officers. counsel
teachers IF they will take counsel, and de-
liver lectures on topics calculated to subserve
the interests of popular education, in fact
and in fine, he is to be the controlling spirit
in the education of Ohio youth. Other du-
ties are enjoined. He is a fund commits
s%ioner, and can require Auditors and other
officers to report upon the condition of funds
and of schools. .,
Not only is he gifted with power to give
form and color to all reports; but he has the
extraordinary power of giving such instruc,
tons as he may deem necessary and proper
forMe organization and government IF Schools.
He digesls the School law, prints and dis
tributes them. He reports to the Legisla-
ture upon all subjects connected with the
system. He furnishes schools with libraries
and apparatus; and although he is by the
Jaw forbidden to purchase books of a secta-
rian or UNCONVENTIONAL character, yet he
holds a sort of censorship, with the power Of
the impriaCtur over the impressions to be
made upon the young minds of the State.
People of Ohio! There is a momentous
: responsibility given to the officer. He has
, too much power, to secure permanency to
the office. How much, soever, a good sys-
tenn Of Common Schools is desirable, and
we yield to none, in our earnest endeavors in
their behalf, as we shall show by our works,
and cot merely by words,-still we cannot
; resist the conclusion that more heed was ne
i cessary in investing this Commissioner will
power. At least more stringent check:
- should have been given. Some one or mort
should have been associated with the Com
missioner, if not as active, yet as advisory
assistants. The Governor of Ohio has no
e one tithe-not a hundreth part of the pow
u er which this Commissioner possesses. Oul
=, object is not fault finding. These sugges
c tons a,e prompted, partly by an instructive
dread, that so much responsibility may b.
d abused, aad partly. by way of caution tt
Y those who must select the man.
Does not the office call for a man of con
e ~spicuous integrity, and intellectual acumer
y and force? No hackneyed politician or vol
uble demagogue would do aught but pollut'
h and degrade the Office. He should be "higl
It and aloof" from the influences Of bigotry
and intolerance, whether they come dressed
in gown and surplice, or whine over whit
neckerchiefs. He must be one hearted
whole, hearted in the cause Of popular edu
6 cation, with a correct appreciation Of it
uses and ends in this government, and sensi
lively alive to its abuses, He should not Gu
Iy have a clear perception Of the needs c
the present rising generation, informed an,
10 inspired with the humane and ~scientiti
movements of our age> but should be able
is with apt, cogent and persuasive oratory, t
re press them home to the heart and mind
lie tie teacher, scholar and CT izen.
D. Such a man is not found at every turn
TX the corner. lie neither loafs nor lazes. II
'e reads and reflects in his seclusion. He me-
Their fears nor scorns to mingle in the du.
and heat Of common and practical life.
The Mirror of Sandusky, in an able art
x Gle upon this subject, suggests the name {
Mr.. Rice, of the Senate, in connection wit
the Office. Qther papers have suggeste
ID other anne We have nothing to say, a
n to the men named; but we think that no ma
st will suit the people of the State who is nc
e. thoroughly and radically Democratic. "Br
would you prostitute this office to partiza
II purposes?" Indignantly ask go-between pc
~iticians and Whiss,--sure of electing no on
= upon their W ticket.
. Not so fast-gentlemenl We have a
= good men for the office in the Democrat
10 ranks as the Wings. Better. We want n
=" school. teacher, or itinerant lecturer, wht
. while travelling the State, will make SEQ
u speeches. Do not be too much taken wi,
y the s~pecious idea, that a system of Educatio
has nothing to do with Dem 1t is
!. life blood.
Our Colleges and Schools have been tc
often made the nurseries of Federal idea
e Why do so many OF our young men, emery
from these ~seminaries of learning, wit
spectacles on their supercilious noses, a
pcrfumed with conservatism ready adm,
l..