Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1878-03-01


Our school Law.
when our present system Of public
education wa. first adopted, it was a
theoretical plan, based on no data
furnished by the $ ate. 1t was the
model plan, after the nature of "Lccke's
Model Constitution" and lie practical
utility was 10 be tested on the people
OF the State. 1t was much like a coat
manufactured In New York after o
general pattern and retailed 10 The
people of Mississippi. 1t did not exact
" 1T. II looked we'll enough a. q mo-
del system, but when we "tried It on"
We found II was not made for our
State. Our State tailors have been al.
tering It ever since, and now It is an en-.
tirely different garment.
Flrst-The appointed County School
Boards were found expensive and in.
efficient. They squandered the money,
elected favOrites teachers and did not
look after the schools. They were,
therefore, abolished aud the money put
In the hands Of the Supervisors whom
the people elect aud a thus hold re-
sponsible for their expenditures, aud
the selection Of teachers aud Local su.
pervision intrusted 10 local Trustees
for each school-elected by the patrons.
These have ouly to look after their
own schools, and il they will uot do
that, no one will. This suited pretty
well.
Second-The three grades Of schools
and three grades Of teachers were found
Objectionable. Teachers rushed their
pupils into higher studies to secure
the highest pay, aud every neighbor'
hood wanted its school first grade. To
satisfy the clamor raised by these
errors, the grades of salaries were
abolished, and all schools reduced 10
two grades with only common school
studies.
Third-The sub.SchoOl District sys-
tenn was found Objectionable, and ell
such districts abolished.
Fourth - County Superintendent
we're not under bond, and were ap.
pointed on political grounds bonds
we're promptly required, and County
Boards of Examiners established 10
secure proper appointments.
Flfth-Counties had been run in debt
for many purposes, and q check was
provided in a section prohibiting the
Issuance OF any warrant, (teaCher's ex-
cepted) unless there was money in the
treasury 10 pay 1t.
Sixth-A new method of paying
teachers was adopted that suits exactly
Seveuth-The system of these grades
of salaries, and various notifications
for assistance was found too cumbroHs
and too susceptible Of perversion.
A maximum was then established,
and the actual salary 10 be paid left to
the Supervisors. This is the States ex.
.perience, for which she has paid very
dearly. Our system as 1t now stands
may DO called original, to some extent
Every amendment represents some
portion that did not suit. We should
accept 90 much as accomplished and
complete the work. Some points still
do not suit the people, and OF them
We hear complsints-frst, the number
of schools in every county should be
limited in proportion to it's extent or
population second, some other basis
of distribution should be adopted than
that based on Assessors lists OF children,
which are expensive, inaccurate, and
difficult TO obtain ; third, the salaries
suit the teachers OF the county, but are
driving out many good teachers from
our towns where they could make moro
money by private schools--aincc
towns, under certain restrictions, might
be allowed to draw their school money.
add 10 ii by taxation or otherwise, aud
pay such salaries as the Mayor and AL.
dermen think best.
FOurth-Trained teachers are few Ia
number, and some means should bC
devised TO improve them In their pro.
LESSONS by institutes held ia every
county. These should be under thC
charge of an institute lecturer.
Fifth-The registration clause Of tho
Constitution should be amended.
We earnestly hope that no new sys