Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-10-11
Total.......................

ne pTODaDle loss 1rOm failure 10
collect polls from both State and
County will be $1,000, leaving deficit
of nearly $1,000 for the actual expen-
ses of the schools, independent of
other expenses.
1t is a source of very great pleasure
and Qualifications to the friends of
popular education that something iUds
done by your body at the July term,
toward inaugurating system of free
schools in the county: but a matter
of serious anxiety and regret that so
little was done. 1t is presumed that
the action of your body in fixing the
appropriation so far below the actual
wants of the system even for the five
months term as fixed by law, was due
to a misconception of the actual status
Of the scholastic population of the
county, and the amount per capita
needed to carry out the aims of the
law The hasty estimate made shows
a deficit of at least $1,000 for the actual
expenses of the schools alone, indie
pendent of other expenses, which with
the most rigid economy are absolutely
indispensable to the success of the
system. In the absence of an expense
fund which | would respectfully sug-
gest, should have been provided by
your body at its last term, | have en-
deavored to discharge the various du-
ties of this office with as little expense
as possible, without seriously crippling
the system. Nevertheless, there have
been serious drawbacks, the proven
ton of which would have been of in
estimable benefit, among which may be
enumerated means to defray the ex-
penses of your Superintendent in at
tending meetings of Superintendent.
would suggest that it is of the ut
most importance that your Superinten-
dents should attend all meetings of
this character in the future and that
means be provided for this purpose.
End. The want of a suitable Office for
the Superintendent. Out of the in
significant salary given your Superin-
tendent he has not felt justified in ex-
pending any portion of it in providing
an Office for the examination of teach
ers, for consultation, &c, but, through
the kindness of the County Court
Clerk, has made use of his Office for
the purposes mentioned. This arrange
ment has been very unsatisfactory
from the fact that the noise and hustle
of the court room confuses the appli-
cant and renders his examination I'm
satisfactory to himself and the exam
liner. Besides lady applicants feel q
delicacy in presenting for examination
in place so public. The State Sup
erintendent has an office provided for
him, by law, in the State Capitol. Are
not the demands for an Office for Coun-
ty Superintendent more urgent than
for the State Superintendent. In a
circular letter, addressed to the Chair
man of the County Courts, the State
Superintendent says: To discharge it
faithfully, will consume much of his
time. The examination of bona .tIde
applicants will be numerous; while ex-
perience has shown that many persons
without any design of teaching, will
be disposed to try experiments with
the Superintendent. Young men often
seek teachers certificates as recon-
mendations for business situations.
The Superintendent should have some
protection against frivolous or expert
mental examinations. Under former
laws the examiner S fee was 81 co. The
present law is silent on the subject.
respectfully suggest, therefore, that
each County Court authorize its Sup
erintendent to charge each applicant,
whether successful or not, an eXamin-
ing fee of at least 81 90.
After consulting with several men,
bers of your Court, and considering
the expenses which must attend ex-
aminations in the way of stationery,
travelling expenses, ETC., not for the
purposes specified in the Superinten-
dents circular, but with view simply
of meeting the necessary expenses at
tending examinations, have charged
a fee of one dollar for examinations,
in advance of any action on the part
of your body, hoping to secure some
action at your next meeting.
Your Superintendent respectfully
suggests the Inauguration of Teach
ers Institute for the county, to be held
annually at the county seat, in the
months of July and August, until by
future legislation, provision is made
for State Teachers Institutes in the
several divisions of the State. The
demand for County Institute is mr.
gent, since great many of the teach
ers are young, and consequently, have
no experience in the art of teaching
and the results of examinations show
that many of the older ones are lamen-
tably deficientin the essential prereaui- J