Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-12-16

not go farther with the discussion; but he
would say that the class of teachers to
whom DIR. Sears had referred was similar
to those in Tennessee He would BE-
glad if Tennessee had more of the spirit
of Massachusetts, but he thought the
present system of education in Tennessee
should not be abandoned merely or ac-
count of few defects. 20
On motion of DR.. Lindsey, the regular
order of business was postponed in order
to proceed with the discussion.
Judge Watson then continued the dis
cussion, and stated that, while he did not
wish to detain the Association by a
speech, he nevertheless thought that the
discussion should be concluded. He
thought that some system of common
school education should be sanctioned by
this Association, and he considered that
the Legislature would probably look with
favor upon any system of common school
education approved by this Association.
Judge w. then introduced the following
b RESOLUTIONS.
Resolved, That there shall be State
Board of Education, to consist of six
State, who shall be appointed by the
Governor. and confirmed by the Senate
two to hold their Office for two years, two
for four years, and two for six years and
after the expiration of their first term of
Office, they shall hold their offices for six
years from the time of their appoint
ment. The Board shall have the care of any
school fund that may belong to the State,
and shall have general supervision of the
public schools of the State, but are to re-
ceive no pay EXCEPT for necessary travel
ing expenses. -----.......
Resolved, That the Board of Education
shall establish normal school, one-half
of the annual expenses to be paid by the
State out of the school fund, provided
the same shall not exceed 5000 per an
mum, and one half to be paid by the Pea
body Board of Trustees, that Board
having generously offered to bear one half
Of the annual expenses of said school.
Resolved, That there shall be a
State Superintendent appointed by the
Board of Education, who shall hold his
Office for two years, at an annual salary
of - dollars, to be paid out of the
school fvnd of the State. 1t shall be the
duty of the State Superintendent to COL
lect and diffuse statistical and other in.
formation relating TO common schools
and the means of their improvement, and
to report to the General Assembly at its
regular session; and for these purposes he
shall have power TO call upon the school
commissioners of the school districts to
report to him from time to time upon
whatever matters he may deem of interest
to schools.
Resolved, That the civil districts
and the school districts now established
shall continue TO be school districts; but
these districts may be changed and new
districts may be established by the County
Court, who shall have the power of ap-
pointing three Commissioners for this pur-
pose; and the school district shall be in
corporated as a town.
Resolved, That there shall be three
school commissioners for every school
| district, to be elected by the qualified
voters of the district, which commission
ers shall act without pay; the time and
place of election to be'frst appointed by
the sheriff of the county, and after the
first election, the time and place of cleo
ton to be appointed by the commission
| ers.
Resolved, That the school commission
ers shall receive and distribute all moneys
intended for the use of the schools of
these districts, and they may appoint a
Treasurer TO keep said money, requiring
of him such bond and security as they
may deem right.
They shall have the power to appoint a
clerk to keep a record of their proceed
iugs, and of the proceedings of any meet
ing of the citizens of the district that
may be held for school purposes. They
shall also provide suitable accommoda-
tons for schools. They shall moreover
have the power to appoint and dismiss
teachers.
They shall call meetings of the citizens
OF the district whenever they may deem
it necessary, for school purposes. They
shall report annually to the State Super.
intendent and oftener, if required by him,
upon all school matters of which the State
Superintendent may require report.
Resolved, That for the support of CON-
mon schools there shall be levied upon
the taxable property of the State an an
nual tax of -, to be collected as other
State taxes; snd the proceeds of said tax
and of said funds for education shall be
paid over TO the State Superintendent,
and by him distributed among the com
mon school districts of the State, in pro-
portion to their scholastic population, but
/ n m fG no Il
school shall be kept during - months.
Resolved, That the people of each
school district shall have the power to
tax themselves to make up for any def.
cheney in the school money derived from
the State and to tax themselves for other
school purposes, this tax to be levied on
the taxable property of the district, to be
collected by officers appointed by the
people of the district and to he paid oveI
by them the School Commissioners.
| Judge Watson then explained at length
the provisions of his resolution, and re.
marked that it provided that no officer
should receive any salary except the State
Superintendent. He thought it vital to
any good system of common school edu-
cation that the people of every district
should have power to tax themselves fol-
school purposes. In the county system
no action could be taken until the whole
county was addressed, but in the common
school district it was a very easy matter
to address the people, as they were well
known. There were very few counties
in which proper man could be found to
act as a school Superintendent. Judge
w. further remarked that he was in favor
of some system of taxation. This taxa.
ton was the great difficulty, IS the fee.
ing was prevalent that taxation was un
popular. He thought that no good sys.
tenn could be sustained without taxation.
Must our children grow up, and some Of
them be confined in our penitentiarie:
and jails, because there can be nc
taxation for school purposes? Taxation
was necessary for running the machinery
of the State government, and for building
the capitol and other public buildings, ant
why should not taxation be resorted to,
to sustain a system of common schoo
education? Under good system of tax
alton the children of the State could bt
educated cheaper than in any other way
The taxation for school purposes was I'M
popular, simply because it was not large
enough, because when small tax was
levied, the man of property would com
plain that the school did him 10 good.
On the contrary, when sufficient tai
was levied to have good school, thu
man of property was willing to pay hi
tax, and would pay it cheerfully, and be
sides would be proud of his school. WheI
you have fixed indelibly on the minds Of
the people of the State the idea that prop
eTty must be taxed to sustain common
schools, a great point will be gained.
In Massachusetts there were intelligent
minds directing the course of labor, while
in Tennessee there were many men whose
only use was the. mere employment Of
their muscle.
The Judge stated that he had dwelt up
on the question of taxation because hC
| thought II Law at the root of a good sva.