Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-16
OUR FREE SCHOOLS.
A Novel Suggestion Concerning
the State Superintendeney.
Why Not Establish a Joint Bu-
reau of Agriculture and
Education?
To be Union and Ameriean:

To the Union and American:
have seen some indications Of a dispO-
sition On the part Of some members Of the
Legislature f. abolish the Office Of Super
intendeut of Public Instruction, but am
gratiied to believe thai this disposition IS
entertained by but few, if, indeed, it is now
felt bg any. To abolish the Office now
would be a vsrY grave mistake. 1t could
not be justified to the codutry on the score
of economy, for there can be no wise
economy in any measure that would 50 Sc
riOusly damage the good name and future
welfare Of the State.
But because it would be unwise 70 abOl-
ish the office il does not follow that It
would be alike uuTise 70 change its form
or modify its mode Of operation. On the
contrary, think the efficiency Of the Office
can be greatly increased at the same time
that money is saved to the State; and it is
to submit this plan that I write.
!. l would add to the present Bureau Of
Agriculture three commissioners, making
nine in all, and change the name to the
Bureau Of Agriculture and Education.
q / would make the Secretary Of this
bureau the Superintendent Of Public In
struction, under the direction Of the Bu-
reau.
l would put the superintendency Of in
structiOn in the hands Of a Bureau
]. Because education, Of all things, next
to religion, should be free from all political
taint, and this it can never be 50 long As
the Superintendent is the appOintee Of the
Governor. Each succeeding Governor viii
be compelled to give the office to some
member Of his party, and in time it would
inevitably come to be one Of the rewards Of
party zeal.
2. Because a bureau, composed OF niue
men. who get no pay, will do their work
for the love of The cause in which they
work, and may therefore be relied upon TO
do their work we'll. Their work would be
advisory and directory and supervision
would be both help and a stimulus to the
Secretary.
would unite education with agricul-
tUre:
/. Because that is the movement which,
more than anything else, chaTacterizes the
education Of the present time.
2. Because in Tennessee no system Of
public schools can ever succeed, which is
not actively supported by the agricultUrists
Of the State. And ] think the most ei-
fsclive way 70 secure this active support, Is
to unite the two in the closest Of bonds.
1 know that the work Of the Secretary Of
the Bureau Of Agriculture and Of tbe Sd
psTinteudent Of Public Instruction, can be
performed now and for the futures by one
capable man. The same travel that is nee
essary 70 secure the facts about farming,
that 20 70 make up the agricultural report
would suai ,e to Go the work Of organizing
and experimenting the educational inter
ests Of the several counties.
If by chance my plan meets with favor,
would suggest that the law making the
change should provide that at least three Of
The nins commissioners shall be men OF
education. and known for their inter ST and
zeal ia behalf OF education. Also, that
both the commissioners and thelr secretary
take an oath lot TO lase, hold OF re-
ceive. directly CT Indirectly, any interest IN
or profits from the use Of any book, chart
or furniture in any Of the public schools Of
the state 50 lorg as they hold office. Fur
ther. that the secretary shall, during eacn
wear. make at least one visit % each county
liz tho STATE. aud the Bureau shall assemble
Al least once 4 year 70 transact such busl-
ness as may be necessary.
l have thus Condensed the leading points
of aplan crgauizing the educational system
Of Tennessee which / think would secure
efficiency with economy. The details Of
the plan will doubtless suggest themselves
to any intelligent legislator who may hap
pen to be interested in the subject.
Very respectfully,
HUNTER NICHOLSON.
V,-ovvvrTr TuvN Feb II 1871