Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-01-23

repOrCeu lIeInS Is only St,ZU6,oIo Ot.
These three should be the same, but
the difference between the first and
third amounts is S1,011,0 ops 60 and
the difference between the first and
second amounts is $3.50, $50 60. If
the expenditures and remaining cash
as reported, be correct, what has be-
come of the 81, OOO,O 900. If they be
not correct, of what value are the re-
ports?
COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
In his report to the Legislature
State School Superintendent, Shan
non, recommendeds the appointment
of County School Superintendent
with salaries as a means of communi-
cation between his department and
the school districts, whose schools
number in round figures over 10000
and OF which only 800 are graded,
leaving over 1900 practically with
out supervision.
The State Superintendent says
county commissioners cast up figures,
which are impossible, absurd and
contradictory on their face and that
when these absurdities and contradlc-
tons are aggregated for the State
they do not emit much light nor i'm
prove the flavor of the hotch potch
by cease of multiplicity of
the ingredients. The fact is the
commissioners are paralized by law
on being compelled to rely wholly
upon the clerks of school districts for
a majority of the items that go to
make up their reports and often spend
considerable time unsuccessfully in
making these harmonic with cash
known to be on hand.
The law requires that the district
clerks should put themselves in COM
munication with county commission
ers, obtain blank contracts, keep re-
cords of all proceedings, &C., but all
this they generally fail to do. Teach
ers also are required to make month
ly report to the district clerk, but 1t
is u rare thing for any thing of this
kind to be done. 1t is doubtful too,
if the board as a board, makes con-
tract with q teacher in one case out
of ten.
What then is lacking? Briefly,
the means of executing the law; the
means of immediate and effective
communication between the State de-
partment and every district and school
officer in the State the power in the
superintendent to inforce the will of
the Legislature. 1t is recommended
that a county school superintendent
be elected in each county to have in
charge the welfare OF the schools, ex-
anime teachers, visit every school
district, counsel and instruct teach
ers, explain the school laws to dis
trict clerks and directors, point out
their duties under it and require them
to make the reports demanded by the
law, examine county records at stat
ed intervals, inform himself as to the
proper distribution of county and
swamp land funds, fines, penalties
and fOrfeitures, examine the suffi-
cheney of securities for school funds
loaned and institute if necessary legal
proceedings to protect the funds and
make their management conform to
law:
The county superintendent should
be under the control of the State Su-
p~erintendent and paid a fair salary
for services performed. He should
also be required to keep an account
of the various funds and the money to
the credit of each district and see that
no money be permitted TO be drawn
out of the treasury except upon war
rants of a district board countersign-
ed by the commissioner.
County Institutes are a necessity
to the success of the school system,
but these must be comparatively
worthless without effective county
supervision.
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Superintendent Shannon a V this
institution is prospecting and growing
in numbers and influence. 1t has not
attained that eminence or gained that
reputation, we hoped for it, but i'm
patience will pause when we remem-
bered the growth of such an instttu-
ton is necessary slow. 1t has been
compelled to fight unusal battles and
but for the devotion of Boone county
and a vitality of courage rarely equal
ed, and never surpassed would have
succombed to its burdens and been q
reproach to us instead of our honor.
It's progress is marked, and under
the circumstances satisfactory. If
adequate aid shall be extended and
continued by the State, and TO un-
toward and improbable misfortune
befall it, we may reasonably hope it
will soon be regarded as the greatest
light and educational
head In the State. The endowment
OF the University is not adequate to
its support, and it is hoped that the