The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-08
THE STATESMAN.
THE ECONOMIES OF A SYSTEM.

THE ECONOMIES OF A SYSTEM.
We publish rather long letter,
from gentleman who has studied
the question carefully. on the subject
of free schools. or, more properly.
system 20 be applied TO the conduct of
free schools. Professor Hogg. the
writer, is not unknown in Texas, and
his devotion to the cause of education
should lead ut least 10 a careful peru
sal of his letter. The fact that be he
longs TO school OF educators
who would establish snowy
SYSTEM. one with hosts of salaried Off
Gals, he being one Of these superin-
tendents who lately subscribed 70 the
Baldwin greatest educational show
on earth. leads Us to take what he
presents with much allowance. to
even fear that he warps his arguments
to apply 10 the system presented. OF
course we are ready 10 admit
that the system. as il Is. is
had; that through il too much
money is diverted from the children
and given as perquisites 70 individu-
ais: that there is very loose way
about the whole affair. but the very
same objection applies 10 what is pre-
scented rs a system in this letter He
proposes too many high salaried Off
cials, not daring. however, to present
in full the plan subscribed to at
Houston. He would spend about
three times as much as
is now expended on management
and red-tapeism. and this is why the
STATESMAN does not endorse his plan.
while it presents what he has To say
in its favor. We might in this coun-
try learn lesson from a little repub-
lie that has had its existence for 40
many years amid the freedom inspir-
ing scenes of Central Europe.
Mont Blanc, in all its heavenly gran
deur. looks down upon little con-
federation. whose people, catching in
spiration probably from the vaulted
skies that bring them nearer to Thee,
declare that public service has no con-
nection with sordidueSS. In Switzer-
fsnd public officials serve the people
free of charge: there is no per diem
pay for members of the canton coun-
ellis. nor is there for those Of the con-
federation. Executive. administra-
tive and legislative officers
even the commander of the armies of
Switzerland, serve without pay. and
the little republic is respected. because
of its purity of government, by even
the monarchical heads of Europe.
Surely we could learn something of
economy from the Swiss republic.
Here free school fund cannot be dis
tributed without paying tribute to in
divlduals mt every turn. Here the
official must live off every fund, no
matter ii the cause of education
suffer. This professor shows that a
large sum of money now goes i'll every
county to officials and placemen. and
he wants in their stead a special Of
ficer to be employed ON a trebled or
quadrupled sum TO make the educa-
ton system more of glitter. We pre-
sent his argument because there may
be something suggestive in it, because,
we do not desire to disregard all sug-
gestions not in favor of q simpler and
more inexpensive system. He is right
in one thing placing the control of
the schools near home; but there
should be enough of patriotism among
cur people to extend control
wftfiout sapping the very
existence of the schools. What we
wish to see the Legislature apply itself
TO, is a more efficient and at the same
time an economical system. The |
Baldwin pageant, even modified by |
Professor Hogg. will not do. |
When public money is diverted |
from purposes OF government
for what many regard necessity, we |
would see il done ina hummer spe-
cialf5 applicable to the purpose, not |
that officers may grow fat while chill
dren are defrauded of that which il
4 onated to them.