Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-01-03
OUR FREE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
An Economical Suggestion.

To the Union and American:
OBIoN COUNTY, Dee. 30.-The pres
ent law provides for a State SuperIn-
tendent and also a County Superln-
tendent for each county. The former
is all well enough, bat could we not IN
some way dispense with the Office Of
County Superintendent, and the inter-
ests of the schools be equally well pro-
noted? Our people do not like to be
burdened with taxation unless they
know that the money viii be applied to
advance the interest Of its citizens.
Now. If we can save from $4,000 to
$4,000 each year, which is pad to
these County Superintendent, the tax
PAYERS especially would appreciate
the change. The tax collect
org. County Trustees and District
directors are very sparingly remuner-
ated for their labor. The teachers get
enough to support them If they have
small families and are not eXtrayagant;
IN fact all parts Of themachinery seems
to be based on economical principles,
till 1t comes to the Office Of County SUI
y,crintendent, which Overrides all other
expenses, and IN my opinion falls far
short Of returning equivalent benefits,
let them be ever 50 prompt and cner-
getic in the performance Of duty.
1t Is prep0sterous to levy and collect
a tax for the direct benefit Of the chill
drell. and then exhaust the funds thus
raised in support OF those who might
be proftably employed IN the school
room If they are qualified Cor the Office
Of County Superintendent. 1t IS a
GOOD deal Ike the fellow buying
TWENTY-FIVE cents worth Of market
ing and paying a boy fifty cents
10 carry it home. If we levy
= tax for the direct benefit Of the chill
dren. We should give them the benefits,
and can not see that the advantages
derived from the labors Of the County
Superintendents. especially when tho
District Directors can perform the same
duties. viii equal the cost Of keeping
them in Office, at the rate OF $500 tc
81 500 each year. Their labors may be
worth that amount to them, but, II
nv opinion. fall far short Of being
worth it to the schools; and this salary
fixed by the County CSTFts, not being
sufficient to satisfy them, they 9TH,
County Superintendent levy an add
fionai tax. without law or gospel, OF
each teacher. for the privilege Of being
qualified to teach. The law makes i
obligatory on the County Superintcnd
cnts to visit all the schools III theIT re
spective counties, from time t. time
Well. | have taught school for numbe
cf years. several sessions under tn,
name Of free schools, and Id0n 'tremem
ber that 1 ever had County SUpeTm
teudent to visit my school yet; and
f 1 had been blessed with thei
presence aud instructions, can not
see what material benefit that woul,
have been to the schools. Ia my Opin
ion the district directors can organic
the schools IN their respective districts
employ teachers who have certificate
from o county examiner, take the schOl
asfic enumarations. make out their re
ports to the county trustee, and let hin
make out his report TO the State Super
intGndent.
| know that l will be met ia Orposi
ton bvthose now holding that lucratiy
Office. and perhaps by others who antic
ipate working themselves INTO tn
favor Of the magistrates by the mex
ensuing election, but we shGuld look I
the interest Of the people, and the bes
means Of securing the most good a
the least expense. If We can not hav,
a free school system without exhaust
ing all the school funds before tie.
get 10 the children, we had better no
have any free school system at all.
4 TEACHER