Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-07-07
WORK FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD.

WORK FOR THE SCHOOL bOAAp'
The city School Board meets tonight
TO elect a Superintendent for the ensu'
ing term. We learn from our cotempo'
raries who have devoted much space to
the subject Of late, that there are two
leading candidates for the position
One, the present incumbent, who has
held the position two years. the other a
gentleman from some Northern or East
ern State. We have never seen either
Of the gentlemen, and have not con-
versed with the immediate friends or
advocates of either, therefore can have
no personal preference. lnlthe discus
sion the merits and claims of the can
didates have never been clearly set
forth to our knowledge, and the objec-
t;ors TINS far advanced are hardly worth
naming Mr.. Pickett, the Northern
man Is odious to some because be was
horn in colder climate than this. we
care not where he was born, but would
suggest that it is of some Importance to
know what he has been doing since what
sort ofcurriculum he passed through, and
whether he has the executive ability to
Gil such responsible position as he
seeks. The school visitors will doubtless
give these points due consideration. We
do not believe there is member OF the
BOARD who would cast his vote but in the
interests Of general, thorough and liberal
npbue education. Mr.. Slaughter is OBJ
;scted TO by some, who appear to want a
change merely for the sake of a change.
Nothing has been alleged in the prints
against his morals, capacity or efficiency.
They insinuate that he won't do, but no
solid reasons have been offered to sus-
tain such an assertion. No public COM
ulsiut was raised until the approach OF
an election, and not then IN SPECIFIC
terms. he has the advantage OF two
years experience, which period is requi-
site Tor any man to adapt himself to the
numerous and often delicate responsible
tiles of the Office. Improvements can
doubtless be made in the management OF
the schools, and perhaps Mr.. Slaughter
knows what these are and how they
uld be effected as well by this time as
a gentleman of less experience, however
r.pe his scholarship or extensive his
o lportunities for obtaining correct theo-
ries. We only hope, as we believe,
that the School Board, in trying to select
the best man, will act independent OF all
preiudices, combinations or undue out
side influences. 1t was never intended
that the school system of Memphis
should be used as a political machine,
manipulated in the interest OF this
or that aspirant for public position.
There is material enough at hand to
make dozens Of good superintendent,
aud the board will only become liable to
eensure when it fails to elect compe-
tept and a conservative man, and we
mean conservative in broad, catholic
spirit-a man educated far above parti-
ssnship, religious bigotry or sectional
intolerance. Mr.. Slaughter seems to
have oiven satisfaction and to have per
formed his duty with commendsble zeal,
but if better man can be found and
the board can risk the experiment we say
EJECT him. Andiwhen the Board shall
have acted, we have sufficient confidence
in their judgment and honesty of pur-
pose TO believe that they have acted
wisely; and if they shall determine to
employ a new Superintendent who pos
sssses proper qualifications and larger
experience than Mr.. Slaughter, we
shall cordially indorse their action,
and we doubt not the public will do
the same. Another question has arisen
for the board to consider, TO which we
will only almde: the cOlored people
think they are entitled to have colored
teachers for their children. The de-
mand seems reasonable and just, and
should receive early attention. The law
requires the colored aud white schools
to be kept separate, but the rights and
wishes Of all classes should be respected
as far as consistent with the general
good. We can see no objections to a
compliance with the wishes Of the col
ored population in regard to the teachers
10 be placed over their schools. But we
recognize the fact that the Board has
heretofore employed indiferently colored
aud white teachers for the colored
schools; and in the interest Of the col
ored Joutb, we hope that no colOred
teachers will be employed who are not
abundaotiy qualified for The place. Let
us have the bes; teachers in all the
schools
RTsIGEATI0E or DE-. WHEAT.