Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-09-06
From the indianapolis Journal.
superintendent Of Public I'm.
sfructiOn.

superintendent Of Public In.
sfructiOn.
There are few, ii any. State officers
who. in the proper discharge OF their
official duties can do more for the
benefit of the people at large than the
State Superintendent of Public In.
struction.
The 18th Section of the School
Law says: "lIe (thc Superintendent J
shall receive for travelling. stationery.
and other expenses, sum not exceed
ing $500 per annum."
Section ll4th says: "He shall en-
ter upon his official duties on the Sec
ond Monday in February succeeding
his election. and shall take ard sub
scribe on oath OF office, which shall
he fled in the office of Secretary of
State"
Section 10th says: "IIe shall pre-
sent an annual report, Containing a
brief exhibit of his labor. and
shall cause ten thousand copies to he
printed and distributed to the several
Counties of the State
Section 111th says: "He shall
spend annually, on an average, at
least one day in each County, attend.
ing Teachers Institutes, conierring
with Township Trustees. eonnseling
Teachers. and delivering Lectures on
topics calculated to snbserve the best
interests of Popular Education.''
These are few Of the duties Of the
Superintendent. and the provisions for
their Iulfllment. 1t is q well known
fact that the success of the Common
School System in the Eastern States
may. to a very great extent, be at
tributed to the active and efficient
labors of such men as Mann, Barnard.
Boutwell,. and others, who have been
called from the highest walks OF liter
airy 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 education thro'-
out New England. They travelled.
lecturcd. held Teachers Institutes.
and in all respects complied with the
requirements Of the law. and made il
honorable.
A laudable ambition doubles
prompted our Legislature to create this
Office and make the liberal provision
above mentioned for the fulfllment of
he duties pertaining thereto. We
ask attention To the manner in which
our present Superintendent. Samuel
l.. Rugg, has discharged (or rather
neglected. the obligations resting up
on him He has been in office a
year anil half, and has not attended
Teachers Institute, nor delivered n
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. WIS.,
tied schools. held institutes. and lee
tured. 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 upon his first official
tour to the different Counties? The
reason is obvious, and may be deluced
from few facts:
In the first place, according to Sec
ton ll3, $1,000 have accumulated
to defray his travelling and other incl
dental expenses.
Secondly. There arc no schools in
session. hence there is nothing to do
in this department.
Thirdly. The candidates for the va
rious offices are abroad visiting their
friends and making stump speeches.
the merits of which are the whole
subject Of thought and conversation.
Fourihly. Mr.. Rugg ha, formil-
able rival in the field, who. as he tray
els and lectures on matters pertaining
to the great cause of Popular Educa-
tion. is making troops OF friends.
Filthy. The Indignation of the
teachers, trustees. an! people gener-
ally, has been aroused by certain ex-
ira official orders which have been
circulated througout the State. to the
effect that, unless certain books are
used. teachers should be promptly dis
charged. He says:
EE-"L +; every teacher in the pub.
lie schools throughout the State un.
derstand that the penalty Of disobedi-
cnce in relation to this matter il p
fo' ieitnre OF his contract and dismissal
from his trust"
lie apologies for this in the follow
Ing manner We quote hi language ]
Il sent my boy to school with tn,
books With were recommended b,
the Stare Board. and he wa, directe,
to go and exchange them for author
lied text books. This made ma yer,
angry. and | wrote that part OF tn
pamphlet while in passion"
Fire kiniles fire: hence il become
necessary that measures be taken t
extingni>h il. He row says:
1T makes no difference what book
are used. as far as the appropriation
OF the public fund- is concerned. Tn
people can nse any books they choose
and still have the benefit Of the publ
money"
lie decides that the or,lers Of tn
State Bosr,l can he enforced in tn
same manner as any other law. to tn
disregard Of which the statute provide
. no penalty.
, This. we learn. !, a sample Of hi
official instructions given for the ben
: eff, of those who have not the oppor
; tnnity Of attending his official meet
ing~. which we are sorry to learn. ar