Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-05-24
School COmmissi0ners--The Duties--Im-
pOrtant Election. ...-

EDITORS CHRONICLE: On the Sd of June
next, the citizens of this county are called
upon to vote for three school commission
ers for each district. This is one of the
most important elections, and ii is neces-
sary that the public should understand the
Importance of it and appreciate the neces-
sity of electing good men, honest men,
and men qualified to fill this important
fruits. 1t is not paying office-there is no
pay attached to it, and the gentlemen who
will allow themselves to become candidates
for these offices, must be men who are an
mated by patriotism, benevolence and
charity only. They must be men who,
owing to their social position, can COM
mand the respect and confidence of the
community. They must also be men
whose condition and circumstances will
permit them to sacrifice their time and
labor for the benefit of our children. 1t is
a noble wOrk--truly work in the vine
self? Who will place himself in the front
to shoulder the awful responsibility with
out any remuneration, having only the
good of the community at heart? r-.-,s
In order to show the duties of these COM
missioners, / quote section % of the act
passed July Z, 1870, entitled "An act to re-
organize and regulate common schools:"-
"Be IL FURTHER enacted, That the COM
mon school commissioners for the various
| school districts in the several counties OF
| the State shall constitute a Board of Edu-
cation for their respective counties, and
shall have the control and regulation of the
common schools therein, and shall deter.
mine the plan thereof, and prescribe the
rules for their government. AZ Il
''To admit, if requested, as members Of
said County Board of Education, the mem.
beers of the Boards of Education, trustees
/ or managers of such cities and incorpo-
| rated towns as may establish systems OF
public schools for such cities or towns.
ITO contract and employ teachers, &c.
"To give advice and direction to the
teacher in regard to the government o.
the school and the course of studies to bC
persued therein|
! 1t will be seen from these extracts tina
the commissioners are to regulate ou
whole system of education, and hence tn,
necessity to have men well qualified TO
that position, men of sterling Integrity, 81
large views, enlightened minds, free of any
religious or sectarian prejudice, and mel
who are not and cannot be Influenced by
any party creed or sect.
We have here in the city of Knoxville
the 1st and parts of the I'd and 18th dis
tricts, add to this the city Board of Educa
ton, and the portion of the Peabody fun'
to which we will be entitled, we can,
these commissioners do their duty, wOrl
in harmony and with a will, establish
|
will reflect credit to our city and becOm
a pride to our citizens, and the men VIII
4 come forward and lend their energies to
wards establishing that system, will bulk
themselves a monument in the hearts o
our people, monument of greater wortl
than the bronze statue of a mighty con
querer and their names will live foreve
in the hearts of those thousands of chill
dren whowill drink from the fountain o
knowledge which will flow from the com
bined efforts of these commissioners. /
there a prouder mission than that? Yol
speak about establishing missions to d.
good. Here at home we have an import
ant mission to perform, and the people ar
called upon to elect the commissioners
May they realize the Importance of tina
election. We owe it to the State, we ow,
it to the country, we owe it to society, w
owe it TO our families we owe il to on
children to go TO the polls and elect goo,
and trusty men to superintend our schools
A COsPOMOPOLITAN