Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1883-02-20
eureka Daily 5emtinel.
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 20, 1888.
"A USELESS OFFICE

CERTAIN newspapers IN the state are
saying, and certain Senators are reported
to have said, that the office of State Su-
perintendent of Public Instruction is
useless and ought to be abolished. If
this be true it is on account of the present
law under which the office is merely one
of straw. The duties imposed upon the
Superintendent of Public Instruction are
chiefly Of a clerical sort and may be at
tended to in an ex-eficio manner by any
other officer in the capitol without seri-
Gus addition to his labors. The only
thing chat he is required to do, which
may not be done by Tom, Dick or Harry
Just as we'll as he can do it, is to inspect
the schools Of the State once a year. To
perform this duty properly and with any
effect it is necessary that the Superin-
tendent possesses a thorough knowledge
of teaching and be perfectly familiar
with the text books employed and with
the studies in which they are used as
points of departure, To fulfil this ex-
pectation Of the law is 1t possible only to
a man that has had special preparation
aud is peculiarly adapted for the work.
Still the law gives him no authority in
the premises and his best efforts are
likely to be put forth in vain for this rea-
son. He is authorized and required to
visit the public schools, advise with the
teachers and lecture to the pupils. Any
friend of the schools who is Jealous in
the cause of education may do as much
in his own locality. But what does it
amount to? Those who are familiar
with the hindrances to the advancement
of common school education in this
State know that the evil to be eradicated
from our school system lies deep, and
that no such superficial remedy
can afford any substantial relief.
What makes the schools drag in
many places in Nevada, what causes
children to grow confused and less able
to cope with the actual problems Of life
than though they had not been at school
at all, what, in fact, deprives children Of
the vigorous use of their natural wits, is
the unftness and incompetency of teach
ers. While we have in Nevada some
teachers that would shine in the profess
sion anywhere, there are others who
ought never to be suffered to tamper
with the education of children. The
State superintendent should have power
to purge the schools Of these ineompe-
tents, who are one Of the greatest calam-
tiles to a community, and see to it that
they are replaced by able, conscientious
educators. He should be empowered
to point out an incubus upon the schools
here and there, and upon proper show
ing, prescribed by law, make it obi
gatory upon School Trustees, in whose
hands now rests the entire school gov
eminent, to dismiss such teachers as he
proves to be an injury to the service.
This is one OF the ways by which the
office of Superintendent might be made
valuable. Unless something like this is
provided for, by amendment to the pres
ent law, the Office should be made to
cost the very least possible. On the
other hand, if proper and wholesome
legislation can he had there will hardly
be found anybody so regardless of the
value of advancement in the education
OF the children Of the masses as to think
the money devoted thereto i'll spent.
II certain Senators Of this State should
turn their wits in the direction Of the
suggestion offered they would be better
appreciated by those who sent them to
the Legislature to look after their inter.
ests, of which, certainly not the least
important, is the education of their
children.