The Portland daily press., 1865-02-09
COMMUNICATIONS.
Superintendent Of Common Schools

We we're conversing not long since, with a
member of the Legislature, who is very eff
fective laborer for the railroad interests in
this state, and put this question to him: Can
we consistently dispense with the Superinten
dent of Common Schools? "Oh yes" was
his reply, 1--WE must curtail. these war times,
our taxes are so heavy, and save every need
less EXPENSE" We said nothing farther, well
knowing that we should be obliged to clear
away from his brain mass of railroad rub
bish, before he could see The subject in its
proper light. 1t is for the benefit of such men,
and others, who are ignorant of the necessity
of such an office, that we would desire space
in your columns. 1t has been said that the
duties Of the Superintendent are few, and of
little Importance. Reference to the provis-
ions of the law will convince any one that
such is not the case The following are
among the most important:
SECT 63. The superintendent shall devote
his time to the Improvement of common
schools and the promotion OF the general in
terests of education in this state. He shall
carefully investigate the operation of our
school laws; collect information in regard to
the arrangement ofschool districts, the loca-
ton and construction of school houses, and
the use of the best school apparatus; consult
and advise with superintending school COM
mittees on the selection of text books adapted
to the wants of schools and on the method of
ascertaining the qualifications ofteachers, and
of visiting aud examining schools; inquire in
to the most approved modes OF teaching, and
the best means OF training and qualifying
teachers for their duties; examine the returns
made by experimenting school committees to
the Office OF the secretary of state, and obtain
from them such facts and statistics as may be
useful, and in general procure information
from every available source for the improve.
ment of common schools.
SECT. g. By correspondence with teach
ers, school officers, and others, and by public
addresses from time to time in different parts
ofthe state, he shall endeavor to disseminate
the Information he has acquired, and awaken
more general interest in public education.
SECT. 65. He shall prepare blank forms
for all returns required by law, or deemed by
him necessary, to. be made by school officers
and teashers; which shall be printed and dis
tributed by the secretary of state to the SUI
perintending school committees on the first
day of October, annually. af
SECT. 66. He shall annually, prior to the
session of the legislature, make report to the
governor and council of the result of his in
quiries and investigations, and of the facts OBJ
tanned from the school returns, with such sug-
gestions and recommendations as in his judg-
ment will best promote the improvement of
common schools.
SECT. 81. He shall' receive a salary of
twelve hundred dollars, quarterly, and render
an account ofhis travelling and other neces-
sary expenses to the governor and council, to
be by them audited and paid out OF the treas
ury of state. as
SECT. 68. He shall annually hold in each
county a teachers convention, to continue in
session one week at least; give due notice
thereof to all teachers and persons proposing
to become such, and invite their attendance.
He shall attend and have charge of each con-
vention, and employ suitable instructors and
lecturers to give instruction and addresses,
with the view to aid the teachers and qualify
ing themselves for more successful discharge
of their duties. N
SECT. SO. To defray the expenses of the
conventions, two thousand dollars shall be an
nually appropriated, to be expended by the
superintendent, who shall render an account
thereof to the governor and council to be ex-
amined and audited by them.
There were in 1851 in the State, 4,O1O
school houses, at an estimated value of 81,
250000. The number of children between
four and twenty-one years of age was 249, ,061
The number of teachers employed was 1921.
And the aggregate expenditure for schoo
purposes was $742, ,952 OIL. There were beside
80 chartered literary institutions, in active
operation in the State. Will any one con
tend that this work is of so Inferior nature
as to require no general supervision? that its
aims and objects require nothing of the kind
1t requires something more than the examin.
alton of teachers, the erection of proper and
commodious school houses, the selection of
suitable text books, and the thousand regula-
tions that are left to everybody, consequently
are never regarded. Agents are selected in
discriminatory from all classes. governed by
narrow interests, and the same is often true o
Committees, in many places. Now with nc
higher officer in charge, what willabe the re-
suit? A diversity of plans, variety o.
schemes, and no practical system for conduct
ing this important work. 1t has been propos-
ed to establish an agent in each county, who
is to have sort of general supervision, with q
salary barely sufficient to pay his expenses, on
yearly visit. Now how much is to be ex-
pected from such an arrangement? These
agents will not feel it their duty to labor very
assiduously without pay, and they will get al
impression that the educational interest is on
the decline, and that very little is to be ex
pected of them. Railroad corporations, In
surance companies, &C., find it for their pecu
mary benefit to have superintendent, and
pay him literally, with smaller capital, than
is invested for school purposes. Are not the
necessities as pressing that there should bs
one over the schools scattered through thl
StateP 1t has long since been decided tina
multiplicity of offices is very injurious, and
in this case, where one prominent system i
needed, one man can more successfully estab
lsh it, than dozen, for he can know the gen
eraI wants, and institute a more harmoniou
plan. Is this Office SO much inferior to tn
Land Agency, or the Secretary of State, tina
it can be dispensed with, without any detri
ment to the public good? And are we to b.
terrified by the small salary that officer re
ceives, and check the most effectual effort
towards the establishment of a permanen
school system?
Is Maine to take the backward track" for
feiting her high standing in this relation
Massachusetts finds it for her interest to EN-
ploy at least four times the number of per
sons, at six or eight times the expense. Mr.
Weston, our present popular superintendent