Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1881-01-20
tFor the Sly NriEKL,
The School Bill.

10 the I'eopte Of North Carolina
1t Is due to you and to m~self that
publish my views in regard &c a
provision of the School Bill of the last
session of our Legislature, and before
the Bill comes up again Tor cons :dt-r-
alton. | have heard that wrong i'm
preston exists i'll some minds as to
my position in regard to the principle
involved when [ was State Superin-
tendeut Of Common Schools, and
while my ePihion ia tie premises is
OF record 1t may not be generally
known without a recourse to nv pres
ent action until it has possibly enter
ed as an element into the shaping Of
q policy of paramount impoI tance to
the State. The Bin referred TO pre-
posed to vest in the State Board of
Education the power to prescribe, for
term OF years. the text books to be
used IN our common schools: and
doubtless the e4s5ect of this extreme
measure was good one, and am
well aware that there are plausible
reasons in favor Of such legislation.
and had occasion carefully to con
slder the whole matter early in my
official life. Ny conclusion was, that
such power in any central authority
was unwise and dangerous, and re.
.lectIOn amd observation have deepen
Ell my conviction. In my report for
tue year 1889, / used tie following
language: 1T is, perhaps, seldom
the case that men resist the placing
OF important powers in their own
hands, but it Is due to myself to say,
that while | have been exceedingly
anxious to promote uniformity" Gin
text books, and | have seen and ielt
its great import ance, [ have hitherto
given my influence against the vest
.ng of ALB ,olu c aul lhoiiLy Of the kind in
the Supe -intendent Such authority
would have added much to the dignity
and power of the Office | have the
honor to fill, and it would have lie
ieved me OF many cares and lahors,
and have prevented (to me) very con-
siderable pecunlary sacrifices.
But | could not keep from dreading
the ultimate results Of such policy;
and looking to the far future and to
the lasting good Of all the people, l
shrank from personal privilege
which might prove temporary bless
ing, but final curse to the public
The Superintendent is the officer Of
the State, elected hv the legislature.
and liable 10 be influenced by politi-
cal or partizan Considerations. The
office may be affected bv tue hnctua.
tiOns OF parties, for it is not to he
supposed that the noble and pat .iotic
motives which have hitherto goyerned
the Legislature in tbs matter. must
always and inevitably control its ac
ton in the premises. Bnt even if it
dil, the incumbent of the Office would
still be Il man, snhjcct to human infir
mites and errors and a slight depart
ure from strict line of Conscientious
duty might becume a precedent of
evil, and gradually lead to most
ruInous policy Books could he rec
commended from political AMI sectar
MI or personal influences and authors
and publishers would beset the path
OF the Superintendent with various
amt tempting appliances. Publishe,s
| would even Interfere in the election nf
an oIficer, who could by.a single line
OF Ills, pen enrr CHI them; aud hy their
emissaries and the Influences which
they coulI direct without even being
Known in the matter, could keep up a
CONSTANT excitement in the State, rem
dering teachers and parents discon :
tented with the selection made, and
thus partially defeating even tile im :.
| mediate good expected from suci, a
tlaw. Influenced by such onsidera-
tions, ] have opposed further leg
islation on the suJect:@ and, still
anxious Vi promote uniformity in
books, 1 have used exertions and ex-
pended persnDal means TO attain this
result, that would hardly on credited
if fully related. have done this in
one sense, voluntarily. fer the Law
did not, in words, command it !; hut I
have felt that i'll accepting the office
! Of superintendent of Common