The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-17
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT VI
PUBLIC EDUCATION.

The report of the Superintendent OF Pubic
Education is not by any means the document
that we were prepared to expect from tnat
official 1t might have been anticipated that
it would illustrate the peculiar theories sup
posed to be held by its author, and that 1t
would be, in some respects at least an cleo
tioneering and partisan document We are
glad to say that there is nothing Of this kind
in the report-nothing, certainly, that has
attracted our observation, excepting passage
referring to the schools of New Orleans. The
subject of mixed schools is scarcely referred
to, and we may presume that Mr.. Conway has
come to the conclusion that the demands OF
public opinion are entitled to some respect
on this point. In the main the report seems
TO be the production of mind really DESTROYS
of promoting the cause of education, and OF
augmenting the efficiency of our public school
system. Mr.. Conway considers the present
school system inefficient-except as to
the city-and, as an illustration and proof of
this ineficiencyhe refers to the large number
of private schools, some Of which are of great
excellence. 1t might have occurred to the
superintendent that the increase of private
schools so far from being an evil, is real
benefit, and that it is not the duty of the
State, even on the theory of State education,
to try to drive such schools out of existence,
by overbidding them in the pay of teachers,
and in the quality of education impaired to
the pupils. The theory is that the State, in
other words the whole community, should
educate such children as may not otherwise,
be able to procure instruction +; not that the
State should educate all children. 1t might,
Also have occurred to him that the amount
of money and of mental force that can pro-
perly be applied to educational purposes, is
limited quantity, and that the natural forces
of society, operating without restriction,
are the best measure of the proper
quantity of these forces. In other
words, communities will obtain the instruc-
ton which they need, just as they will obtain
the food and clothing which they need,
without legislative compulsion, or legisla-
tive bounties. The public mind is not yet,
however, prepared to receive this truth, and
it would be useless to discuss or even to pre-
sent it at this time. Especially it could
not be expected that such truth would be
accepted by person thoroughly imbued
with the New England idea of State educa-
ton, and an official whose duty is to super
intend and confirm that system in this
State. The most that can be expected is
that the superintendent should labor hon
estly to make the public schools Efficient
and to accommodate them to the demands
of public opinion. Mr.. Conways report
seems to give evidence of such desire on
his part, and we are, therefore, surprised
that he has permitted himself to re-echo
the groundless charge that the schools of
New Orleans are under the direction
of teachers selected for their private political
sentiments and not for their efficiency
and intellectual fitness. There was time
when instructors were chosen in this man
ner but it was time when the schools were
placed in charge of persons whose only claim
to the position of teacher was that they were
Z" loyal to the old flag, and when instructors
who had proved their efficiency and capability
were elected because they were supposed to
sympaihize with the Confederate cause. As
might have been expected, the schools were
then disgrace to the city. That they have
recovered their high character under the
present administration, Mr.. Conway virtually
admits.