Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-12-15
NEW SERIES. NO. us.

villages, rely on their own taxes. The
city of B0st2n on one occasion received
five hundred dollars from the State. but
this was only sort of silken thread that
bound the city to the State, as the city of
Boston had school system of its own.
have Often made this suggestion in the
Southern States, and it has been said to
me: THAT will do very well in Massa-
chusetts, but it is not applicable TO many
of the Southern States" OF that can
not judge.
But to Tecur to more general state
ment of what / believe TO be funda-
mental system of education. The
first point is that there should
be State system. The next point
would make is this Take your
system out of the whirl of politics as far
as possible If possible, let there be a
Board of Education, and let that Board
be so appointed that it shall not represent
any administration of the Government
particularly. Let one member, for in
stance, be appointed to this Beard, each
year, so that under whatever political adj
ministration il may be, it will be COM
posed of members of all parties. 1t
should not be party matter, you cannot
have permanent system of education If
1t is based on party considerations. A
system founded on political basis would
be just as surely overthrOwn as every po-
litical party is sure to be overthrown.
The truth in politics is that the best party
in the world will have its exit, and an
ofher will come in, for human nature is
such that no political party long in power
viii be perpetuated. The system in Eng
land and in this country is that party
shall be used until it is worn out. Now,
it is desirable that the school system shall
be ship that shall Outride the storm, and
Outlive political parties and commissions.
And again, this Board of Education
should have the selection of q COM
petent secretary or superintendent, and
the selection should be made with refer
ence to mans peculiar fitness for the
position. 1t should be his business to
study the whole theory and practice of
education. He must understand his work
the same as a diplomatist must understand
his business. 1t is of the utmost import
ance that you have the best intellect in
the State to advise upon what is the best
system of education. One such man who
has given 90 or 30 years to the work, if
he be man of wisdom and cOmprehen-
sion and pOWer-One such man is worth
more than hundred who have no expo
rience. Therefore say that the man TO
be selected for the position is to be the
guardian of the entire community with
reference to the business of education.
He should study the theory of legislation,
and the peculiar history of the State. He
is to be in council with the committees on
education and see that no injudiciOus
laws, drawn by men of no experience,
are passed. If he is a wise man his sug-
gestions will be listened to and respected,
and he will have all the influence he de-
serves. One such man at the head of
affairs is of inestimabie value to
the State. 1t will save hundreds
of thousands of dollars. l knew
a case in Massachusetts where a school
officer saved in the space of two days ten
thoussd dollars in the simple matter of
the erection of schoolhouses. Now, q
man who is well informed on education,
will save many times over the amount of
his salary as Superintendent.
l will not repeat the arguments that
have been made for municipal system
of education | do not know the
condition of the people here, but so far
as that plan can be adopted, it is desira-
bic. Then there must be some cOnnec-
ton between the municipal system and
the State system. The simpler the ma
chiuery the better.
If 90, ,,,,,st ba,ra oof,,,ty s,,payintan1
ents, or certain superintendent between
the civil district and the State, that is a
matter that can be decided only by an ex-
animation of the condition of the people.
But it does appear to me, in many of the
States have visited, and have visited
all the Southern States except Kentucky
that there are too many wheels between
the State and the civil district. AS much
simplicity as possible is to be desired,
provided you can secure efficiency.
The system can be made very expen-
sive. can refer you to q State that
spent one half of its school fund on its
officers, and the other half on the schools.
OF course it is impractica6le u per-
petuate a system of that sort. Take
my own State of Virginia, and here |
may say that 1 am proud of her action
during the last year in respect to schools.
Virginia is Just now establishing system
of public schools that do her more honor
than almost everything in her early his
tory. The city of Richmond has 400
pupils in her city schools. Forty thOHs-
aud dollars is paid into the city treasury
for public schools. Two years ago she
had no system at all. One year ago she
expended 800, 900 for schools; now she
expends $40, Geo for far superior sys-
TEN. 1t was deemed necessary, in initial
ing system, to have proper assistants.
They told the people, you pay sixty or
seventy dollars year for every child
educated, whereas, by the new system
each child will cost you not more than
fifteen or sixteen dollars per child, and
You will have a much better system of
education.
There are several other features that |
deem essential to public school system,
but perhaps at present it would be best to
limit myself to few points. The sys-
tenn should be outside of politics; should
employ the best men to superintend edu-
cation, and there should be proper con-
nection between the State system aud the
municipal system-just enough to secure
efficiency. In Massachusetts,, as in many
other States, the greater part of the money
used for school purposes is levied by tax
ing the people of the towns under State
direction, and such q thing as county tax
is unknown.
The Association then adjourned until
half past o'clock.