The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-10-27

desirable. At present it is most certainly
the duty OF the State to further test its inn
portant workings and its special advantages.
When it has proved itself worthless. strike
IL to the ground. but do not crush IL without
satisfactory test.
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
The work Of the board has been commend
able during the past year. The counties
have adopted text books, and are gradually
Introducing them into the schools. As soon
as the introduction is completed and the
people become better acquainted with the
objects and benefits of this board, it VIII GER
tainly be very popular.
TOWNSHIP INSTITUTES. 1H
After citing the law on this subject, the
superintendent continues o There were
4,592 township institutes held last year and
everywhere comes up the universal opinion
that they have awakened an interest among
teachers, parents and scholars never felt
before. The county SUPERINTENDENT
is intimately connected with both
the county board of education and the town
ship Institutes. He presides over the
county and conducts the township insti-
tutes. To the one he points out the excel
lencies of teachers. to the other devotes his
energies to improve those teachers. His
work is in every way directed towards
putting efficient teachers in the schools. II
is the uperhntendent's duty to encourage
the teachers to improve themselves in every
practicable way. He calls their attention
to educational literature, books and peri
odicals, lectures to the people, and creates an
educational sentiment never manifested be-
fore. He holds one of the highest positions
in society, and is charged with labors- and
responsibilities to which few men are equal.
HOW THIS OFFICER Is REGARDED IN OTHER
STATES,
General Eaton, commissioner of educa-
ton of the United States, says: That State,
county and city superintendent are indies
pensible to any system of public instruc-
ton. Supervision is the power which is
compelling from every civilized nation COM
mendation of American schools.
| Superintendent White, of Massachusetts,,
| SAYS: Next to the employment of able
and skillful teachers the exercise of an intel
ligent and careful superintendent is the
most important fundamentally in the sue
cessful management of our schools.
The superintendent also cites the authority
| of the superintendents of public instruction
| in the following States as favoring the sys-
tenn of county SUPPLEMENTARY: Pennsyl-
vania, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Texas
| Arkansas, Virginia, Missouri, Iowa, Michi
| gan, Nebraska, and some OF the Territories.
take pleasure in adding, that most of the
states anu Territories nave adopted some
system of inspection and supervision for
| their schools. In some places it has worked
well, in others it has failed. In all cases OF
failure, so tar as known to me, the
cause has rested upon the man and
not upon the law. So it has been
| in Indiana. Faithful and efficient men
| have produced good results, while poor and
inefficient superintendent have brought the
law into some disrepute.
/ recommend that no change be made in
the law now, but that good trial be given
| it for another two years. The following is
extracted from a Virginia report, and ex-
presses our idea of
THE IDEAL SUPERINTENDENT.
| He should be young man, or a man who
never grows old. Morally, he should be
faithful, devout. and of good report. Mentally,
he should be strong, sagacious, large hearted
vivacious, progressive. Internationally, he
should have scholarly training at least
| professional experience, or else special
aptitude in this direction; with some ora.
torical and marked expository facility
Habitually, he should be accurate in speech
courteous, active, methodical, free from &c
centricities. His habits and tastes generally
| should lie in the line of his oficial work
And at the bottom of all should be a deeT
love for humanity and for his country, &
believer in the exalting power of true edu.
/ cation, and in the public policy of the State