The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-06-24
GOVERNOR ROBERTS AND THE
SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THE
SCHOOLS.

On the 9Th of August, 1873, not long
after Judge Roberts had been named as
the Democratic candidate for governor,
he wrote letter, which was published
in the Mexia ledger, TO DR.. r. c. Burle-
son, President of the Central Texas
teachers convention. This letter con-
tanned the following:
Presuming upon our long scqusint-
ance, j take the liberty to say few
words TO you, and through you to the
convention of teachers assembled at
Mexia. | regret that my previous en-
gagements prevent me from attending
the convention. l, myself, have been
the teacher of law school, and hope to
be again when my public service shall
permit it. have ever felt a deep inter
est in rearing up the youth of Texas with
a high standard of moral and intellectual
excellence, so as to develop manhood
worthy TO be the successors OF those
whose places they must take in the vari-
Gus public and private affairs of life IN
this great state of ours.
On the unexpected nomination for gov
ernor | urged upon the convention the
importance of sending into the next leg
iSlature leading men of all classes, includ-
ing school-teachers. They represent a
great interest in the country, and should
be heard, and should participate in its
legislation. Their experience and knowl-
edge arc needed TO make proper laws on
the subject. Allow me to bring this
matter to their attention through you.
Let me also suggest that IN the recon-
mendations made by your body, regard
should be had to the available means of
the state at present, so as to be practical.
1t might also be well to appoint COM
mittee of teachers to investigate the
whole subject with reference to whether
practical improvement can and should
be made in our school system; and let
them be directed to report at the next
legislature, and, if practicable, come to
Austin then in person to appear before
the committee on education.
In the meantime, if elected governor,
l shall give the matter my special atten-
ton, and would be glad to receive letters
from all and each of the teachers in the
stale who may choose to write me at Ty-
Ter after the first day of November next.
expect TO visit Waco within the next
two months, and will be pleased to meet
with you and consult with you on the
subject.
In pursuance of an invitation extended
to the teachers of Texas 'to meet in con-
vention and investigate the present school
law, and suggest such practicable i'm
pTovements as can and should be made
in our system of education" conven-
tion of teachers did meet in Austin on
the 2Sth of January, 1879, and continued
in session three days. These teachers
recommended:
1. That the state accept the PROPOSE
| ton that $1,000 be accented from the
Peabody fund with as much to be added
by the state to establish first class nor
NAL school,
2. That $50, 900 be appropriated by the
state to establish practical course in ag-
riculture.
3. That not more than two school com
munities be established in any city taking
charge of its own schools, and that one
of these be for white and the other for
colored children.
4. That three grades of certificates be
given to teachers.
8. That pupils under the instructions
| VI u lClChCl CCLlliI
cate receive 81 per month; second grade
$1.50, first grade Sc.
6. That six district superintendencies
be established, with salary each OF
$4,000.
There were other recommendations
made by the teachers referring to the du'
ties of these superintendents and to the
manner in which teachers should be paid
by the county treasurers. The Govern
or presented the legislature with these
recommendations, and they were com
piled with to considerable degree, ex
cepting the ornamental and expensive
machinery proposed. This is the Gov
ernor's record in the light of considera
ton for the teachers, showing that he
persistently appealed to them to assist
him in establishing system advantage
Gus to the best interests of education.
The country is well acquainted with
the course of the Governor in his sue.
cessful efforts at retrenchment, which
was the first step taken for many long
years in the direction of thorough reform
in the financial condition of the state.
When the extra session of the Legislature
met, his message to that body contained
discussion of matters pertaining to the
schools, the object of which was to con
centrate the minds of the legislators up
on the system in force, provided by the
constitution, and to show the futility OF
specializing or thinking about any other
system. He said:
Public free schools is another subject
that mainly entered into the occasion of
the legislature being convened in special
session, and it is therefore proper that
should give my views thereon, as a
predicate for such recommendation as
may make in relation thereto
The best and most satisfactory COM
mon schools that we ever had were those
during number of years before the late
civil war. Then the state aided the peo-
pies schools with bounty, by paving
for INDECENT scholars that went to school.
In other states, where good public free
schools arc maintained, the state devotes
q sufficient amount from the public treas.
ury or public funds to take control and
give direction to and supervision of the
schools; but the great bulk of the means
to support and maintain them is contrib
uted by the local authorities where the
schools are taught, all being regulated by
law and working in harmony.
1t is hardly necessary now to indulge
in any speculations as 10 the best modes
and means of promoting common school
education in this state. The censtitu-
tiou, which must control legislation, in
dicates both the mode and the means by
| prescribing that " il shall be the duty of
the legislature of the state To establish
and make suitable provision for the sup
port and maintenance of an efficient sys-
tenn of public free schools" By this the
state assumes the whole duty and burden
of establishing them; that is, of prescrib-
ing how they shall be instituted and con-
dIcted, as well es to provide the means
to make them public free schools.
Touching the support of schools, scho-
lastic age, fund TO be distributed, the or
ganizatiou Of the schools, and the sale of
school lands, we find:
These and many other questions might
be put, when in connection with the
condition Of the country. Its scattered
population, and its financial capacity
show that a large discretion was neces-
sarily left to the legislature in the accom-
plishment Of the object required Of them.
The convention must be supposed 20 have
intended something practical, and not
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