The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-06-07
SCHOOL QUESTION,
Senator Gibbs, on the Summer Normal
Schools.
He Fayors the Adoption of the Amend
ments.
Disposition of the states Finances.
An Interview With senator Gibbs on tho
School Question.

AL IhAVh |
School Question.
Knowing the interest taken by Senator
Gibbs in the matter of public education, the
reporter of the HERALD called upon MN
Yesterday for an interview in regard to the
summer Normal schools and the constitu-
anal amendments on the school ques-
ton. a..
Rep.-"Senator, what is the object sought
by the establishment of summer Normal
schools In each district, and what Will be
the probable success OF the move.
MI. Gibbs.-rhe establishment OF the
summer Normal schools was intended 10
perfect teachers of public schools, ooth
Waite and colored, in the practical details
of school teaching and TO systematic the
manner OF conducting these scnoois wnlcn
will result in great improvement OF schooi
methods.
It ia 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 a,'enu them IN
suf,cient numbers and with a desire to
further perfect themselves. II they are sue
cessful in results and well attended they
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
auu W luSll III a."
from our own people, Father than OBTAIN
school. teachers from other states. When 1t
comes to employing teachers or PUBIC
schools there is no doubt but what a prefer
ence will be given those VINO attend these
schools and make a study ana profession
Of public education. =.
Ihaye every confidence IN the success OF
these institutions, and we can know Tor
certain IN two years.
If the pending constitutional amend
ments are adopted there Will be a much
larger aud q growing demand for efficient
school teachers, and the Sc summer normal
schools will further prepare those who are
intended to supply this demand
Rep.-'What 90 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.
Iv without the facilities of public education.
and at the same time have on hand locked
up ia the vaults of the treasury large sums
belonging to the school fund which we can
neither use or invest.
AS matters now Stand thcre are over Two
million dollars OF the revenue fund in the
treasury, u this fund is rapidly lncreas-
ing. and there can DE no investment OF IL
except in Texas state or United States
bonds, as required by the constitution; and
this amounts to no investment, as the s'ate
DOnUS CdUuOt NC q oe 49,
the limited States bearing three per cent.
interest can ne had only at a premium
anal TO six years. interest. When the
school lands are disposed of the permanent
fund will amount to not less than hfty and
nav reach one hundred millions, and will
aver now Weld a fine annual revenue if it
oan be invested to better advantage.
Besides keeping q good deal of money
out of circulation, the permanent fund Is
doing the schools but little good.
BY loaning this money at Z per cent. the
state could get the cream Of secnritles IN
tile state and give a renewed impetus TO the
growth and prosperity of the state, and its
Investment can be so guarded as TO make
iosses almost impossible. as has been done
iu Missouri and elsewhere. II this amend,
ment is adopted the available school fund
will be largely increased ana the ayerage
will thus prove doubly beneficial to the
81 Tar as the other amendment is con-
cerned which provides for a school tax, it Is
A very conservative measure. and the result
OF q compromise between the connlctlng
the state. 1t provides for taxation SUI
ficient TO run the schools SIX
months in the year, limiting such
taxation to twenty cents on the one nun
dred dollars absolutely. As the permanent
fund increases this general school tax
viii decrease, and even If placed and con-
timed at the maximum, will not amount
10 a burden as the general advalorem state
tar as now imposed will be reduced one.
half as soon as relieved ofthe constitutional
burden of supporting the public schools by
an annual Appropriation Oh 9ne-iouLtn oil ~;
that SIX months public schoolisg each year
for ten years is all that the people demand,
hut 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.
I heartily approve both amendments
and believe they form an equit,
ale basis for q thorough school
system, and should be. adopted;
II lhese amendments were rejected II will
prove a serious blow to popular education
IN Texas, and check the growth OF the
tate. as a great many have settled and are
nov settling in the state on the strength OF
reneated promises made by both political
narties that there should be established an
efficient system Of public schools"
Rep,-;Senstor do you think the
amendments were in danger Of being de,
testsd and II SO, what were the elements oil
InswThe greatest danger lies in the
fact hat the people while DESTROYS OF hay.
ing a good system Of public schools, viii
neglect TO vote, each under the impression
tbst there will be enough 10 carry It with
ont his helm. There will also be active
opposition from those who are opposed
on principle 10 public education, and from
those who want all education at general
eTnsnse. and who favor a larger general
tai and no district system. The amend
msnt should receive the enthusiastic sup
mort of ali friends OF pubic education IN
he state. and especially by North Texas,
As IL places a reasonable Limit on general
school taxation and promotes the district
system. This IL to our advantage Oecause
a. our lands were richer and valued On an
average higher than those in sou'nern and
eastern Texas. we pay under a general sys
tenn Of taxation twice or three times az
much into the revenue fund as We receive
from II. Whatever may be the result, an
o~ppOrtunity IL now given the people 70 de'
tsrmine for themselves whether OF not they
desire an efficient system Of public schools
The Bots d'Arc Pavement
The good Judgment displayed BY our city
council in adopting the bois dare bloch
pavement will, we are sure, be unani-
,o,.f, .ruroved bv our citizens when lie