The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1875-06-17
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Views Of Gen. Fraser, State Superintendent
of Public Instruction.

Gen. Fraser, State Superintendent ol Pub
lie instruction, started Tor Concordia YES
ferlay, 10 visit the Normal School ut that
place. He viii attend several Judicial
District Teachers Institutes ere he returns
Gen. Fraser j. an enthusiastic educator
and j. dcvoting ali his energies and time to
the work OF promoting the educational in
teresrS in the Stale. He SAYS there are
MANY defects in our school system. which
he proposes designating and remedying
There i more show than substance in cur
system. lie saws that in the matter OF
costly and comfortable school houses We
greatly excel the average of other
States, but We are lamentably defici-
ent in competent teachers and superin-
tendents and are also lacking in financial
skill. Most OF the county districts are too
small. Instead of scctioning the districts
lac would have but one in each township.
\ district consisting OF a township would be
able 10 maintain school nine months in the
wear, and to employ suitable teachers. Under
the present contracted system, country
schools are maintained only three months in
the year, and are, of course, taught by in
competent and inexperienced teachers, and
what measer Instructions there are impart-
ell to scholars, are mostly lost 10 them by
such long vacations.
In the matter OF text books the Superin-
tendent saws that from 100000 to $780,
600 might be saved yearly TO the people OF
the State by judicious purchases and uni
iormity OF books lie would have a uni
form set Of books for the whole State, each
district to purchase and own the
books required for its Use. Such
plan would not only make
the teacher responsible for the care and
proper usage Of the books. and thereby
make them do more service than when
owned by individuals, but a material ad-
vantage would likewise he obtained in max
ing purchases at wholesale rates. In some
districts this system has been tried, and it
works admirably. There is statute that
allows school boards To purchase Libraries.
Some districts have construed this statute as
meaning textbooks, and have procured
such for their Libraries. They could not be
induced 10 return TO the old plan Of COM
pelling pupils TO purchase their own books
In his next official report Gen. Frazer
will point out plainly the defects OF our ed
ucational system, and suggest remedies We
are deluding ourselves with the idea
that our public schools are perfect, and we
take pride in referring TO them when recit-
ing 10 the stranger the wonders and attrac-
tions of our State. Our pockets realize
that our schools are expensive, and the
many handsome school edifices that dot the
prairies everywhere have impressed us with
the belief that glitter and show indicated
substance in that respect. This delusive
bubble is being most efiectually punctured
by Gen. Fraser. While this peeling of
the bark and exposing to the world the
structure of our common school system by
the General may be mortifying to our pride,
and cause disappointment 10 many, vet
doubtless good Will result from his plain
dealing Commonwealth June 10.