The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-06-05
SCHOOL QUESTION.
senator Gibbs on the Summer Normal
Schools.
He Fayors the Adoption Of the Amend.
ments.
pisposition Of the States Finances.

.nInterview With Senator Gibbs on the
School Question.
Knowing the interest taken by Senator
Gibbs in the matter Of public education, the
reporter of the HERALD called upon him
Yesterday for an interview in regard to the
,nmmer Normal schools and the constitu.
n nal amendments on the school cues.
ton.
Senator, what is the object sought
nv the establishment of summer Normal
schools in each district, and what will be
me probable success of the move.
Mr.. Gibbs.-The establishment of the
summer Normal schools was intended to
nertect teachers OF public schools, both
white and colored, in the practical details
Of school teaching and to systematic the
manner OF conducting these schools which
will result in great improvement of school
methods.
II is wholly experimental, but these sum.
mer normal schools cannot but prove of
great benefit to the cause OF education in
This state If the teachers attend them in
sufficient numbers and with desire to
further perfect themselves. If they are sue
cessful in results and well attended thew
will, no doubt, be continued by successive
legislatures. The policy Of the legislature
was to improve those already engaged in
teaching public schools in Texas, and to
add to their number in as far as possible
from our own people, rather than obtain
school.teachers from other states. When 1t
comes to employing teachers of public
schools there is no doubt but what prefer
ence will be given those who attend these
schools and make study and profession
Of public education.
Ihave every confidence In the success of
these institutions, and we can know for
certain in two years.
If the pending constitutional amend.
ments are adopted there will be a much
larger and a growing demand for efficient
school teachers, and these summer normal
schools will further prepare those who are
Intended to supply this demand
Rep.-"What do you think of the neces.
sity Of the adoption of the school amend.
ments, and what effect would their rejection
have on the state ?"
Ans.-"It is very necessary that both
amendments be adopted or we will be entire.
ly without the facilities Of public education.
aud at the same time have on hand locked
up in the vaults Of the treasury la.ge sums
belonging to the school fund which we can
neither use or invest.
As matters now stand there are over two
million dollars OF the revenue fund in the
treasury, and this fund is rapidly increas-
ing, and there can be no investment of it
except in Texas state or United States
bonds, as required by the constitution; and
this amounts to no investment, as the state
bonds cannot be had at all, and those of
the United States bearing three per cent
interest can be had only at q premium
equal to six years. interest. When the
school lands are disposed of the permanent
fund will amount to not less than fifty and
may reach one hundred millions, and will
even now yield fine annual revenue if IL
can be invested to better advantage.
Besides keeping good deal Of money
out of circulation, the permanent fund is
doing the schools but little good
By loaning this money at per cent. the
state could get the cream of securities in
the state and give renewed impetus to the
growth and prosperity Of the state, and its
Investment can be so guarded as to make
losses almost impossible, as has been done
in Missouri and elsewhere. II this amend
ment is adopted the available school fund
will be largely increased and the average
rate of interest In Texas be reduced, and
will thus prove doubly beneficial to the
people.
So TAR as the other amendment is con-
cerned which provides for school tax, it is
very conservative measure. and the result
Of compromise between the conflicting
views OF members from different sections Of
the state. 1t provides for taxation suf.
months in the year, limiting such
taxation to twenty cents on the one hun
dred dollars absolutely. As the permanent
fund increases this general school tax
will decrease, and even If placed and con-
tinued at the maximum, will not amount
to a burden as the general advalorem state
tax as now imposed will be reduced one.
half IS soon as relieved ofthe constitutional
burden of supporting the public schools by
an annual appropriation OF One-fourth of it.
This amendment is based ON the belief
that SIX months public schooling each year
for ten years is all that the people demand,
but allows the creation Of school districts
aud permits two-thirds Of the taxpayers OF
such a district to tax themselves for any
additional schooling desired by them.
heartily approve both amendments
and believe they form an equit.
able basis for o thorough school
system, and should be adopted.
prove serious blow to popular education
state. as a great many have settled and are
now settling in the state on the strength OF
repeated promises made by both political
parties that there should be established an
efficient system Of public schools"
Rep,-"Senator do you think the
amendments were in danger Of being de-
feated and If so, what were the elements oil
opposition"
Ans The greatest danger lies in the
fact that the people while DESTROYS of hav-
inga good system Of public scho Dis, will
neglect to vote, each under the impression
that there will be enough to carry 1t with
out his help. There will also be active
opposition from those who are opposed
on principle to public education, and from
those who want all education at general
expense, and who favor larger general
tax and no district system. The amend
ment should receive the enthusiastic sup
port Of all friends OF pubic education in
the state, and especially by North Texas,
as 1t places reasonable limit on general
school taxation and promotes the district
system. This Is to our advantage because
as our lands were richer and valued on an
average higher than those In southern and
eastern Texas, we pay under general sys
tempt taxation twice or three times rs
much into the revenue fund as we receive
rom 1t. Whatever may be the result, an
opportunity is now given the people to de.
tsrmine for themselves whether or not they
uesire an efficient system OF public schools.
southern Railroads. -,
Hon. James Edwin Moore, attorney for