The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1882-12-12
corrobora,e these statements.


Now as to the statement (Which,
notwithstanding i've appareus absurd
ity, has been given general circula-
tioi) that the reduction. of the per |
capita Is due 10 the mismanngement
OF Supt. Pickett. Every person hav-
ing any information on the subject
knows that the superintendent of
Public Instruction, let him be who be
may, has no more power to fix, regu-
late, increase or decrease, the per cap.
Tia or share Of revenue set apart tor
eash pupil child than has the Tycoon
of Swat. The Der capita is fixed by
the amount OF the fund derived from
various sources for school purposes.
The AUDITORS required to annually
iurni,h the Superintendent with a.
statement Of the probable amount OF
the school fund. and the pro rata
share OF each child Ia fixed by diyid.
ing that amount amongst the children
Of school age IN the State. An in
crease of the per capita can only b,
attained by an Increase OF taxation,
aud that Ia a matter over which the
Superintendent has no control.
The statement that the Superinten-
den, Is paid too large a salary Is also
incorrect. Three wears ago the Leg.
|islnture reduced the salary OF the Su
pcriniendent IRON 5000 To $500;
that OF the first clerk from $l,200to
81 900. and that OF the second clerk
from 800 to $500 These sums are
by 10 means excessive, considering
the Importance aud Responsibilities
Of tho work aud the character Of tal
lent required 10 perform i. Moreyer
these salaries are not paid out OF the
school fund, az you seem TO suppose,
aud IN no way effect IT, A reduction
Of the salariesto merely nominal
sum would not increase the school
fund one fartllng.
The opponents OF Supt. Pickett
have harpel great ceal upon, and
attempted 10 make capital out OF, the
delay inthe appearance Of his report,
With the clerical force At his com
mand 1t was simply impossible 70
keep up the work Of the Office and
get out the report earlier. ] use thu
definite article in reference 10 bis re.
port because, had he been willing 10
send oil n few hundred pages oil
such balderdash as has been made oil
previous occasions TO inasq uerade IN
the name of report, he could have
published It with sufficient prompt
ness 10 satisfy the most cxaeiing OF
his critics. he appealed to the Leg
stature last winter TO give him adtli-
tionai clerical Tore, but his reques,
was not complied Nth. Tie then
emplcyed aa additional e,crk al his
own expense. This necessity for an
increase OF the force III the ofire hs,
existed at least twelve years Super
Iintendent Smith in his report in ISL
said: As | have tor two sessions
warned our Legislature, The peiHt !.
reached when there is sn absolute
break dora in the capacity Of the Of
flee forces of the Superintendent To
do the WORK imposed on them, and
10 do their work creditAbly-' Since
that time the white children Of pupil
age In the State have increased from
3S9,S36 TO 4S3.40I. In addition to
this $1,000 roIored children have been
added TO the list, making an increase
of near 100000; IN other words put
ting upwards of one-tbird more
work upon the Superintendent and
his clerks than was required al The
time DR.. Smiths complaint wa.
made. Can any one in the face OF
these facts censure Supt. Pickett for
tardiness In making his report II
can moreover lie said In defense OF
SIR. Pickett that he has spent no time
in running over the Stale OH tours Of
self. giorification, or In posturing.
rheloricslly. for public applause. He
has devoted bis whole time TO ear.
nest, conscientious labor IN his Office.
Ills report is not q string Of fustian
lphrases, nor q plaintiye rhetorical
lword-inelody, whose resonant SEN
fences are capable only OF pleasing the
ear. IL 10 composed, from title page
10 index. OF valuable facts and statis-
tics. mere reference to which
would require more space than Is US
ually given 10 newspaper letter.
/ commend II. however, TO the care
ful Investigation Of your readers rs
an able, logical, comprehensive, thor.
opghly-digested treatise on the con-
diiion and needs OF the common,
schools in Kentucky. Anyicompe-
tent judge, after examining II, will
!, agree with me in the opinion that II
, is in reality The only report-such az
Is contemplated Al d required by law
! THAT has been giycn 10 the pnblit
during the last twelve years. II is Z
c work that ia do, tined, TO live. Com.
: ing from such handr il cannot tail tt
. do this. for in ability, energy and
conscientious devotion and applica
ton to duty Supi. Pickett il not sur
!. passed by any other State officer
(. VIVA. l have said may sound, TO thos,
who do not know Mr.. Pickett, lik,
praise, built is simply an uncoloref
I representation Of his ability, idelil,
and fitness for the Office and Of tn
0 character of the work which he hai
performed. Having had excellen
opportunities to inform myself IN 10
! gard 10 these maifers,I speak, conf
Q IDENTIFY, advisedly--in simple justice
d 10 10 thoroughly accomplished ant
!, most faithful public servant. i,est
\, ! know 1t was not your desire Z
: do him wrong, and am equally conf
: dent that you will take pleasure II
/. placing him in aproper light bcfor'
your readers yiie ~