Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-12-10


for his services the sum of - dollars per
month. By leaving the present vacancy in
the high school untitled, the board could en-
ploy competent special teacher for this pur-
pose and still save a considerable sum month
ly. Some action Of the board is necessary to
carry into effect suggestion of the late
superintendent in reference to an amend
ment of section four of the rules and regula-
tons which fixes the hours of study, recess,
etc. think certificate may justly be award
ed to Mrs. Switzerland, formerly Miss Imo-
gene Latham, in place of one lost or uislaid
Though the record does not furnish positive
proof OF the fact, yet it may very properly be
inferred that she would not have been in the
employment of the board, and certainly would
not have received salary, unless she had
previously received a certificate. Such en-
ployment may be reasonably held as prima
fdcie evidence of the existence of certificate,
and hence | recommend that Mrs. Souther-
lands petition be granted and grammar
grade certificate be reissued to her. An ex-
animation of applicants for teachers certii-
Gates was held, In accordance with the direc-
ton of the president of the board, from
November 25th to November Goth, inclusive
The results of that examination will be re-
ported to the board by the teachers COM
mittee. | wish, In connection with that re-
port, to call your attention to the small mum.
Der of those who obtain certificates. as COM
pared with those who fail. This fact is due
to two reasons: First, the scope of the ques.
tons given, the design being to cover the
ground required under the rules to sustain
the standard of requirement, and hence the
value Of the certificate when obtained; and,
second. to the general and painful want of
preparation on the part Of applicants. 1t is
to be hoped that applicants will not
IN the future present themselves,
and application, such a knowledge
of the branches required as will afford them
a reasonable assurance of success, and thus
enable them to avoid the humiliation which
inevitably waits upon lack of preparation
To supply the large number of applicants
that usually attend our regular examinations
with materials for preparing examina-
ton papers, to advertise such examinations
in the daily papers, and to issue certificates
to successful candidates, puts the board to
an expense for which can conceive no ade
quate advantage is received. | would, there
fore, suggest that the board fix fee which
shall be sufficiently large to cover all the ex-
penses referred to above. | feel that the
board will excuse me, if, In conclusion, |
take advantage of this, my first official COM
munication addressed to your honorable
body, to express my deep appreciation of the
honor conferred upon NE in being selected as
the executive officer of the board of educa-
ton and superintendent of the city schools
l &C -ept the honor, let me ado, with the mod
esty betting the successor of so good and
great man as James 7. Leath, and with
the determination to devote whatever of
zeal, energy and ability / am possessed of
to the public educational interest of Mem
phis, and to render whatever aid | can, in
conjunction with the labors of your honorable
body, to the furtherance of every plan which
shall add to the prosperity, perfect the sys-
tenn and extend the usefulness of the city
schools. VIM. H. FoUTE.
Superintendent Etc.
OTHER BUSINESS.
The recommendations as to the February
were adopted. That part of
the report which recommended as to the
teachers, and changes in the course of study
be submitted tn the committee on teachers,
was adopted. The other recommendation