Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-09-16

this provision OF the law
Tipton--" In this, as in all other mat
ters. / can say nothing as to the cours
| IF he coming Legislature. They are
act of impatient, restless fellows, VIII
will tear down existing institutions ipJu
d;ciously, at least, many Of them--som
will be more wise, and perhaps thos
wilder spirits may become tempered be
| fore the session closes.
"Are you in favor of continuing tn
present system of free schools so far Q
sppertains to the County Superinten
dencyY
Tipton-"I think some of the Count,
Superintendents are men who don,
have sense enough to keep well.
think many of them were appointed IRON
| political motives"
"Those whom have seen have found
little emolument or political advantages
| in their Office. They have worked HARD
and have received but poor reward. Ia
eases of foolish appointments, persons
may employ assistants:
Tinton-"That is we'll enough. know
there have been some good officers,
"Some excellent ones There IS MAJOR
W., Of B. county; he is doing splendid
work"
linton" Such man as he is, | may
des;re TO see continued in office. But
there are others not so efficient think
there should be q distinct bureau OF edu'
cation, with the moneys Tor when, KEPT
distinct from others" :,
"Good; that is the plan we have al,
ready. only under another name, and
With the amendment concerning distinc-
ton of funds adopted in the Treas
nry Department, it would be distinct
bureau
Tipton-"I think the plan of County
superintendency is good one, but too
expensive for our resources at tne
present. Now. if we had $l4, 600 or $l5,-
600 per county, it would be different; as
Il il. too much of the funds get absorbed
before they reach their object"
"Haye YOU seen Gen. Eaton's exhibit
of the work done during his administra-
t;on3 That would be an interesting docu-
nept to read; l will send it to you. BY
il won can see precisely how much money
has been absorbed on the way, and how
much work has been done. But, again,
what are your opinions regarding the
other acts Of Eston'sf For instance,
what do you think of the recommended
books7"
men as great now as those who were
raised on Webster spelling book, and
think in this age we have too much
vounp America and pushing ahead.
"Do ron think our great men OF the
time you mention, we're great because Oh
these books or in spite of them 7 Ii the
former, how do You understand the posi-
lion thew almost uniformly occupied in
regard to improved educational works,
and methods generally 2
linton" Well, while ! have my pr
vate feeling regarding books, yet shall
not interfere in any way. have been
approsched by many agents since my
election. and have uniformly refused to
make any selections or express any
preferences. Ihave kept the same course
10 regard to some hundreds OF letters 1
have received from gentlemen desiring to
be County Superiniepdents. | know
that there are certain things said IN re-
gard to The manner in which these books
were adopted; but know nothing about
II and saa no reason for condemnlng
General Eaton, mpch less suspecting
him. This | know, certsia books have
been recommended, among them III,
lard 8 Readers, have never examined
these. 1t would not make any difference
az far as this subject 10 concerned, If !
Rad The books are recommended, and
are beipp more or less generally adopted.
This Is enough, they must not be inter
tared yith. It would derange our whole
educational aSgtsm. / am going to let
them alone. II q saa- asks me what
DO ok to buy, am going to say iply any
booksl' The thing is principle and teach
ers. not books. As for the books them
selyes. Suppose they may be slightly
better, but l an NOT mpch of Hew fan
gIed man. I ana farmer. rsed 10
SrsacE, bgt I can't preach. I hsye
had one g tgo parslyic shocks,
and when / want to say ope thing some,
times saw another. an farmer and
interested 10 my crops: have . pretty
GOOD pillow, and succeed IN turning over
Inc soil with it to some purpose. some
day A nan comes along and offers me
plow maea s-perior to the one l am
nsine. I buy it, and tue leyt day Just az
am about to set forth into the Eeld, an
other agent comes along with pho"
nah superior to the one | have 3us'
adopted. end persusdes me to adopt that
The year is tsian M in exchanges ant
importations Of ney 'plsSs, and when i
il ended I have good STOCK o. plowi
but no crop. No, had better adhere Y
nv old tool. it ia not the best, but 1t u
good and seryiceskle|
{" Besides, the ploB you haye nov II
use ia much chepsr than other plovs, To-
whom the recommended books ore gene
rallv adopted, we shall have saved thon
lands of dollars TO the State in schoo
books alone"
Tinton-"As our old system was
every selool used its own books, and tn
teachers genee-,IV used the books u
which they themselys Ass ,,ssen educated
which had not very excellent Fes,.Ey
"What are your intentions when
comes time to perform the duties Of ycu
oeicef"
Upton" perfor@ themi am goin
| to spend the required amoaat o. time y
every comfy, and in all things except
INV duties, While | watch someFhat anf
iogsly What the Legislature will do in re
gard TO the existing seh0ol law. N
office will be in the capitol q. Nashsilli
as the law directs.
"Shall you employ an assistant p
Upton" The law directs that tn
State Librarian be my assistant. Then
| If am let alone, ihera Rrs several wron
methods wish to see rightei. war
the Office Of County Superintendent TO b
generously modified. The system seem
10 be little cumbersome just now wit
our means. / think the Judge Of the di
,rict or circuit could perform the Count