The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1879-04-03

vention, composed of friends of educa-
ton, and teachers do hereby respectfully
and earnestly recommend the adoption
of system of responsible supervision in
every County of the State" Now l think
something like this might be very prop
erly appended That inasmuch as the
final adoption of such resolution, ViU Gre
ate of necessity SS neO Offices, hence quite an
extensive opening is made for only college
bred men, with good salaries, granting to
them rights aud privileges of which other
competent and good men are deprived,
and in consequence Of such a0eighty con-
sideration of self, we intend therefore to
give it our hearty support, and secure at
all hazards the establishment of said
County Supervision.
Hon. John A. Norris is then quoted,
and his language presented as substantial
evidence in favor of the happy change
And yet it seems to me very logical
and just way to reason from his state
ments would be as follows with 10, 72l
boards of local directors whose salaries
amount to not one cent of taxation to the
people of the state and with 80, I63 per-
sons who constitute these respective
Boards, that labor solely for the benefit of
the public schools without any pecuniary
considerations whotever, we propose to
remove said Boards and individuals and
substitute in their stead So Snlaried officers,
who could not, if SO disposed, do more
and better efficient work in promoting
the welfare and advancement of ungrad
ed schools, thereby fastening unnecessa-
rily upon the people of our common
wealth, the enormous expense of perhaps
more than one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars everg gear. Beautiful economy in
| deed With as good a system of popular
education as the world has ever seen, the
| results of which has been to present to
the people of America, as talented states
men and law givers, men of science and
jurists, together with educators of almost
| fathomless thought, and in short as many
and even more of the truly great and emi-
nent, than many of her sister states, it is
now proposed that the additional expense
of the glorious old Buckeye State shall
be such as 10 more than three times discharge
the salary of the President of the United
States every gear Another matter referr-
ed to and one which 1 can not help but
notice, is the proposition to the effect
that while very great improvement has
been made in the schools of the cities
under supervision, the ungraded schools
of the rural districts have made little ad
vancement, and that the latter do not
show forth as good results as they did a
quarter of century ago"
Such statesments are overdrawn. Es-
pecially the last, which is nothing more
than slanderous outrage upon the great
mass of our people. To affirm that in
stead of progress in our country schools,
we have made retrogradation, during the
last twenty-five years, when the facts are
incontrovertibly to the contrary is an
insult of the meanest character and only
given to secure the final accomplishment
Of base and selfish ends. My observations
have been, and they are in accordance
with the observations and experience of
many others, that the rural schools furn-
ish to the country, students possessed of
more practical knowledge, and sound
common sense, than those of the city
schools, and by this statement, l mean no
reflection on many young men and wo-
men, who have received their instruction
in these schools, because grant the ex-
ceptions. 1t is true that the higher
branches receive more attention in the
city schools, and l think that is one
trouble in the case Instead of laying
permanently the basis of future and
higher attainments, and furnishing them
selves with plenty of useful every day
knowledge, too much time is spent in
completing and beautifying the structure
ere the foundation has been made such,
as to stand firm and secure amid the
trying scenes and difficulties of life.
Therefore it is, that if the proposition
were true, that the city schools are in ad
vance of the rural schools, should from
the very nature of things be obliged to
deny that it was owing to the grand
scheme of Supervision Certain it is
that have made few observations in
reference to this matter in several coun-
ties of this state, and instead of always
finding the best teaching talent in the
schools Of the cities. by far the majority
are young girls, without experience and
oftentimes without great deal of accu,
mulated information, and who are ruled
and reigned over and domineered for by
the officer of Supervision. Of course l
do not blame the young ladies, but the
fact shows that the motive to secure the
best talent the most popular and expe-
rienced teachers is not always the lead
ing one. Hence in concluding this divis-
ion of the subject, l can not find it in the
facts OF the case, neither in my own
observation or the experience of others,
admit that the ungraded schools of Ohio
have lost their efficiency and efficacy,
and through want of Supervision, must
finally sink into obscurity and insignifi- :
canoe. But it will be necessary to elect,
select or appoint this said County Super
intendent if finally we are to have one.
And how are we to abstract this matter
entirely from the domain of politics 1t
is said that the Presidents of the town
ship Boards shall form committee to
secure his election. But that will not
obviate the difficulty. Suppose that the
said Presidents all belong to a certain
nc fhnu 1iuiIaI ~,
their opinions, is it reasonable to suppose
that these men, any or all of them,
would not be actuated and Influenced by
party motives? How foolish How alb
surd The truth is, politics aoiU find its
way into the system, and corrupt and de-
stroy and mitigate its effects, if perchance
there be any healthy effects connected
with it, until ultimately it shall lose itself
amid the battle and contentious of party
strife.
County Supervision has its opponents
in Ohio" Well said And ere long they
will arouse fully to an appreciation of the
position which they occupy, and in the
manner proposed, forever and eternally
oppose any meddling or tampering with,
or changing the glorious old school sys-
tenn, that in the past years, has brought
with it, such lasting and beneficial re-
suits. AS yet they repose conhdently In
the idea that our law-givers and men of
trust are too wise and too proud of their
Common Schools in which many of them
have laid the basis of their greatness to
now, by acts of legislation pronoun ce
them a failure. Says one of the advo-
Gates of County Superintendency, that
system endorsed by three-fourths of the
states can hardly be fraud AS we'll
might he affirm that because majority
of the people of the world choose to be