The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-09-17
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Vt77 Htlts
Superintendent of Public Instruc-

The 18th Section of the School Law
says: "He 1.-THE Superintendent shall re-
ceive for travelling, stationery, and other
expenses, a sum not exceeding $500 per an
num-"
Section Hath says: "He shall enter upon
his official duties on the second Monday in
February succeeding his election, and shall
take and subscribe an oath of Office, which
shall be filed in the Office of the Secretary
of State"
Section 116th says: "He shall present
an annual report containing a brief exhibit
of his labor, and shall cause
ten thousand copies to be printed and dis
tributed to the several counties of the State"
Section 117th says: "He shall spend
annually, on an average, at least one day
in each county, attending Teachers Insti-
tutes, comforting with Township Trustees,
counseling Teachers, and delivering Lee
lures on topics calculated to subserve the
best interests of Popular Education"
These are few Of the duties of the Su-
perintendent, and the provisions for their
fulfllment. Il is well known fact that
the success of the Common School System
in the Eastern States may, TO a great extent,
be attributed to the active and efficient la
bors of such men as Mann, Barnard, Bout
well and others, who have been called from
the highest walks of literary and political
life to serve in this important capacity
The memory of these men is dear to the
heart of every teacher and friend of educa-
ton throughout New England They tray
eled, lectured, held Teachers Institutes, and
in all respects complied with the require
ments of the law, and made it honorable
A laudable ambition doubtless prompted
our legislature to create this office and make
the liberal provisions above mentioned for
the fulfillment of the duties pertaining
thereto. We ask attention to the manner
in which our present Superintendent, Sam
uel l.. Rugg, has discharged Tor rather neg
lected) the obligations resting upon him.
He has been in office year and a half and
has not attended Teachers Institute, nor
delivered "a lecture, during the time. He is
a stranger to the teachers of the State; not
one in hundred has ever seen him. Why
has he not travelled, visited schools held
Institutes and lectured, during each year ?
Why is it, that, during the last six months
OF his official term, at time when the
schools are all closed and teachers are abroad,
and just before election, we hear of him up
on his first official tour to the different coun-
| ties? The reason is obvious, and may be
| deduced from few facts:
In the first place, according to Section
| lib, 81, 900 have accumulated to defray his
travelling and other incidental expenses.
Secondly. There are no schools in ses-
sion, hence there is nothing to do in this
| department
Thirdly. The candidates for the various
Offices are abroad visiting their friends and
making stump speeches, the merits of which
are the whole subject of thought and con-
versation.
Fourthly. Mr.. Rugg has a formidable
rival in the field, who, as he travels and
lectures on matters pertaining to the great
cause of Popular Education, is making
troops of friends.
| Filthy The Indignation of the teachers
trustees, and people generally, has been
aroused by certain extra official orders
which have been circulated throughout the
| State, to the effect that, unless certain books
are used, teachers should be promptly dis
charged. He says:
ESg@ " Let every teacher in the public
schools throughout the State, understand
that the penalty of disobedience in relation
to this matter is a forfeiture of his contract
and dismissal from his trust"
He now apologies for this in the follow
ing manner. Eve quote his language) =
" sent my boy to school with the books
| which were recommended by the State
| Board, and he was directed to go and ex-
change them for unauthorized text books.
| This made me very angry, and l wrote that
| part of the pamphlet while in passion"
Fire kindles fire; hence it becomes neces-
sary that measures be taken to extinguish
| it. He now says:
| {" 1t makes no difference what books are
used as far as the appropriation of the pub
| lie fund is concerned. The people can use
| any books they choose, and still have the
benefit of the public money"
| He decides that the orders of the State
| Board can be enforced in the same manner
as any other law, to the disregard of which
| the statutes provide no penalty.
This, we learn, is a sample of his official
| instructions given for the benefit of those
who have not the opportunity of attending
! his official meetings, which we are sorry to
learn, are very small. The average attend
ance in four of the largest counties in the
State was four; and we learn from those
in attendance that the supreme power of
the State Board on the book question was
his leading theme.
We have looked in vain for his annual
report, which was due last February Why
is this ? Are we 20 wait till next year, and
have both reports in one volume? The law
understand that to mean every twelve
months.
In conclusion, We will say that the pres
ent Superintendent has not complied with
the provisions of the law. He has, in the
opinion of many, wasted the funds of the
St4te in publishing and circulating worth
less documents, instead of preparing his an
nual report and sending it out at the proper
time. He is now travelling at the expense
of the State, holding official meetings in the
Auditors offices in the different counties,
and converting not less than one or more
than ten men, as far as we can learn. Not
one in one hundred of those whom the law
requires him to counsel and advise are pres
ent at his meetings His tour is a mere
farce so far as the cause of education is con-
cerned, and we hope the people will see the
real objects of his mission, and in due time
give him the merited reward.
We need practical educator, a good lee
furar q mon Who hos the inclination and