Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-08-26
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION.


1t has been said, that in this country,
everything runs into organization as pohtl-
cal party" This is a mistake. There are a
great many things which would never take
that direction unless violently compelled to do
so by uneasy men, who believe they can be
made useful to diseased craving for notoriety'
We have just now in this State, in small
way, pertinent illustration of this fact There
is about the State considerable dissatisfaction
with that act of the legislature which under
takes to abolish the School District System.
The people are discussing it among them
selves, and the result may be repeal of the
act before the time fixed for it to go into ope-
ration. But there are sundry pers on OF
restless turn of mind, who, being stimulated
thereto by leading Democrats who are "full Of
subtlety," seek to hurry this question into
politics, and make it the basis of a grand re-
cruiting movement for the next Democratic
nominees for state offices.
They have called convention which propos-
es to monopolize the question entirely nominate
candidates, and effect the proposed political
organization. That is to say, they mean to
force everybody but themselves to take ground
in favor of abolishing the school district sys-
tenn. 1t is not their pleasure, because it would
not serve their plans, to allow the question to
be decided in manly way without aAyyin-
reference from partizan feelings and ma
neuverings those who dislike the legislative
act qfdestion, must join them or be counted
-o6 the other side. 1t is not in the power
of the cunningest schemer to devise another
plan SO well adapted as this to make repeal
of the act impossible,-to turn against them
all those who had uot fully made up their minds
on the queston,-and thus to force the matter
to conclusion not in the most reasonable
and wholesome way. The truth is most peo-
pie will believe that the proposition to organize
a political movement on this question means
something quite beyond friendship for the
old school district system,-something every
way less commendable.
There is at present nothing to indicate the
general opinion in regard to the measure pro-
posed. 1t is likely, however, tiaU the legisla-
rure will come together next month, well in
structed on the question and they will hardly
fail to do what seems to them to be demanded
by majority oftheir constituents. The meas
ure accordsfully with the views of the Secretary
of the Board of Education, and other intelli-
gent friends of education, who have supported
it by various arguments, all based on their be-
lief in the superiority of more centralized
system of management. Mr. Boutwell,, in a
speech delivered the other day before the
Hampden County Teachers Association, gave
a clear summary of these arguments. He
maintains that it will equalize the pecuniary
burden of constructing school houses by not
allowing one district the advantage of having
within its limits more than an equal share of
the taxable property,-that the present system
perpetuates small and inefficient schools,-a
that the system proposed will secure the wis
est and most efficient management of the
schools. And he urges the following consider
ton -
GAS the duty of maintaining the schools is
imposed upon the towns, the right of supsrin-
There is duty as well as a right; and if the
towns can perform the duty more perfectly by
the agency of the school committee than by
the agency of the districts, then manifestly
they should accept the change and proceed
with alacrity and good faith to execute the re-
quirements of the law"
The principal objection to the abolition of
the present system is that it interferes too
much with the right of the people to manage
their own affairs, putting the control of the
schools into the hands of few central manag-
ers,'who may be partial in their administration
and favor one or two localities at the expense
OF all the others. We merely indicate the ar
gument without inquiring now how much
there is in it. Those to whom the improve
ments in our school system are due, have
very naturally appreciated at their full value
the convenience and efficiency of centralized
system of management; and it is by no means
improper to inquire whether the advanta ges of
that system have been over-estimated, or
whether it is SO well adapted to the rural dis
tricts as to the cities. From the beginning, we
have had before us the school system of Prus-
STA; we have studied the mastery report of
Cousin; and it would not be surprising if we
had sometimes forgotten, that in Prussia or
France, where, from the nature of the case the
Government must do everything, system of
operation must be used which is not well adapt
ed to country where the people are supposed
to do everything.
The question is one which should not be set
tied by any hasty assumption in regard to its
merits. We hope it will be discussed very
carefully, for nothing can be of slight impor
lance that relates to our public schools. What
is best for them should be done without re-
gard to any thing but the actual merits or de-
merits OF the measures proposed. Of course,
question of this kind cannot be treated prop
erly by men who can do nothing for il but
hold convention, organize party, and NOM
mate candidates for office. Those who are
proceeding in this way with the school district
question, are likely to accomplish nothing but
a sorry failure. Not many persons will be in
huenced by their movement, and none will be
led by it to candid and useful discussion.
The School DISTRICT SYSTEM the
session of the American Institute of Instruc-
ton in New Bedford, on Wednesday last, the
recent legislation in regard to school districts,
was made the subject of animated discussion.
Arson Smythe, School Commissioner of Ohio,
said law had been in operation in that State
ior SIX years, by which the school district