St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-12-29


pleased, and tell their parents about
it, and thus general interest will be
awakened. hope the statute will re-
main as it is. There is nothing in it
defining how the Secretary shall call
these meetings, but he can arrange
them as he pleases. Perhaps in some
places he can address all who are in
terested in the matters, and explain
the law in all its bearings, and the
people will become acquainted with it:
1t seems to him it will be beneficial
in every respect
Mr.. Connolly did not know whether
Mr.. Hildreth was discussing the mer-
its of the question, or the amendment,
but whichever it might be, he did not
think Mr.. Garfield made it any worse,
but he was opposed to both. Mr.. Hi'-
dreth is a very smooth talker, but he
spoiled it all by the comparison OF the
COW, and the compliment may be re-
turned on him. 1t was the principal
merit claimed for Sections IA and ID,
as it stands that the Secretary is to
travel around and talk to the people,
and then the people elect Superin-
tendent, and he educates the children.
Then perhaps, in one sense. it would
be good measure. 1t might induce
them to elect more competent Super
intendents. He thought it would be
an expensive measure to provide for
the education of the people in that
way. He Thought the parents should
have sufficient sense to elect compe-
tent Superintendent. 1t is said the
children will go home and educate the
parents, and thus they are made edu-
Gators Would it not be expensive for
the Secretary to go and teach in the
schools through the children Where
they had meetings the people did not
take an interest in the proceedings.
Some Superintendent expected to be
superceded in their Office and were un.
willing to incur expenses to attend
them. He enquired if the information
desired could not be obtained by COM
munication with the Secretary.
Mr.. Garfield thought the principal
argument for his travelling is his in.
fluence upon the teachers. If we have
good teachers we will have good
schools. If the Secretary could meet
the Teachers Institutcs-in Jackson
county, for instance, where fifty or
sixty teachers assembled would he
Of incalculablc advantage. If he
made any amendments, he would sug-
gest that as part of his duties, he
should meet these Institutes. 1t is
more important for him to communi-
cate with the teachers than with the
Superintendcnts. He presumes the
Secretary would feel it right for him
to do so, with out any specification.
If he does not, if we make any speci-
fications, l would suggest this, that
the Teachers be notified to meet him
at the county seat for at least half a
day. He is unwilling to dispense with
the influence of the Secretary upon
our Teachers. He is anxious to retain
that feature of the law. A teacher
in New York said that he governed
the whole district. He said he gov.
erncd the children, and the children
governed their mothers, and they the
men. If he can reach the teachers he
can govern the land. He is opposed
to restricting the duties of the Secre-
tary.
Mr.. Connolly said they had to keep
in view the expense. He wanted to
know what the contingent expense
would be if the Secretary attended
meetings in all the counties.
uhssusss ssssAsassssaisi <ksAG ----s,an re
is now. He proposed verbal altera-
ton of his amendment.
Mr.. ROszell wished to know whether
the amendment was admissible when
the bill stated that the sections re-
ferred to are repealed and some des-
ultory discussion ensucd on this point.
Mr.. Garfield withdrew the amend
ment.
Mr.. Roszcll said the Board had as
sumed to itself to decide what text
books should be employed and he ad-
vocated it to relieve the Secretary
from annoyance from publishers who
would use their influence to introduce
new books into the schools.
Mr.. Hidrcth said the interests of
Education are as important as any
other. He thought the Office should
be made as respectable as the other
State Offices. Cut down the pay, and
you will be compelled to take second
and third rate talent to fill the Office.
We want the best talent to fill it.. The
Office should be made respectable by
fixing the salary the same as the 9TH
er State Offices. Mr.. Garfield said an
officer could not live at the capitol
upon the amount proposed. No man
can move here and maintain the Office
for that sum. A former officer told
him that, after getting his salary, he
had to borrow money to take him away.
They did not want that. If the officer
is wanted let him be reasonably COM
pensated.
Mr.. Connolly favored the amend
ment The objections raised are on
account of the salary-if we reduce
it we debase the Secretary. Have
not other officers less salaries, and
perform their duties as efficiently?
Have they not lived on $500? If the
duties are cut down the salary ought
to be reduced accordingly. He did
not believe the salary was criterion
Of his competency. His education
and talents will clothe him with res
probability.
Mr.. Hildrcth thought honor was a
very good thing in its way but it
would not stop hunger or support
family. Would the gentleman from
Iowa, (Mr. Connelly,) remove to this
place. abandon his business, and take
the Office at the salary proposed.
MIR. Connolly said he would if he
wanted the Office.
Mr.. Hildrcth thought they could not
command the talent for the salary pro-
posed.
Mr.. Roszcll thought the salary fixed
by the bill equivalent to the salary
fixed by the former bill. Then the
Secretary was away from home, and
employed clerk, and did not receive
for himself more than the salary fixed