The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-07-23
EDUCATIONAL.
THE NEW CITY SCHOOL LAW.
Correspondent Views-He Thinks the
Law Coed One-Seos The True
Spirit Index ed-Bright An
ticipation Suggested.

ticipatiOn Suggested.
DALLAS, July - - Editor Herald. r.
The enactment of the new school law
for the Dallas free public schools, and
published in to-day's HERALD, is the
occasion of much rejoicing in the city.
though some worthy gentlemen op-
posed it. The open and fair manner hv
which it was brought about must com
mand the respect of every one. 1t was
not passed in the usual way of having
but one written copy, and that in the
hands OF the Secretary, by which il is
difficult to amend without introducing
confusion and doubt as to meaning and
construction. On the contrary, it was
| printed, with the lines numbered, and a
copy at once placed in the hands of every
one connected with the City Council.
Extra copies were distributed amonu
teachers and friends of public school
education, with requests for criti-
cism and suggestions, and lib
eral number to the Normal
school now in session. 1t was pub
lished in full in two of the papers, ana
was endorsed, so far as known, by every
| paper OF the city, by nearly every school
present wear.
and by 4 great majority Of the people
from whom expressions were obtained,
| Besides ali tins, the author Of the Dll re-
| fused to call it up for action until album
| tant time had been allowed for both
| examination and reflection, in the
meantime making note OF all suggested
amendments, looking towards its per-
lection; and when, after about three
| weeks delay, ii was taken M for final
| action, the author himself offered every
amendment but one that was adODted
! With single exception they were Of
Tered at the suggestion of persons expo
rienced in teaching and known to be
warm friends Ofpublic schools. Notonr
OF them affected the principles or har-
mony Of the measure, but only minor
details believed to DO for the better man
agemcnt of the work. 1t follows that no
enactment could have been made more
lhiriy or prudcntly-nOr with Il rreatnr
desire to meet the public demand for Of
conducted and free from MI
personal and political influence. That
the former law failed in these essentials.
need not be stated. 1t was deficient i'm
system and impOtent in inspiring that
healthtul emulation elsewhere found tn
be the handmade of progress, and at
tainablc only under Il system guided
ny enlightened experience, to be found
only Tin series of municipal schools
iike ourS,) in the person of single but
thoroughly competent Superintendent.
whose pride as well as interest must
needs prompt the wisest, most energetic
ana impartial action. In adopting this
course we but follow in the footsteps OF
Other towns and cities whose schools
hnpnnnn 90 a.
blessings dispensed to their chill
dren. The whole system, in
the true spirit of Democratic Republi-
canism, is rolegated TO the people whose
children are to bo tho beneliciarics. AS
IN electing Lawmakers for the States
me people are to elect the Board of
directors to manage their school affairs.
| That they will elect tho best mon al
tainable for the discharge of such a
sacred trust none can doubt who believe
| in their capacity for self-govcrnment.
A years experience, il is confidently
believed, will add greatly to the popu-
iarlty OF the measure, and should defects
pe discovered, as they doubtless will he.
none more than its author and snecial
friends Will be anxious to correct them.
Allthesy ask is fair and thorough ties.
G Gdo,d us merit, merits to public con-
!
OF complaint towards any of different
views. Their interests as citizens of the
city are the same, and the best OF men
| Oiton.diller as to the best means of nc.
| comprising a common good. The law
| having passed with hut ono opuoSinn
vote it IS, in all candor, entitled To- fail
! trial
The apprehension, if any exists. that 3
revolution as TO teachers is intended, is
wholly erroneous, 1t is not based on on
position TO former teachers as such, bill
on the imperative necessity Of riyino
ior"e Wd effect TO their la6ors through
'yslemeNc organization and wise al.
reciipn, whereby all shall move forward
IN harmonious action. inspirited byTaud-
able pride and emulation. Experience
IN alt things cmbruriuw numbers de.
mnnd this organization as indispensable,
10 harmony, unity OF purpose and prog.
rCss.
ir reply To query i'm the HERALD il
may be added that certificates of CONNIE.
tency heretofore issued by the NnNol
VIII be valid for the grade to which thcy
belong, without ra-eSamination for IA,
ensuing wear, unloss special cause be
shown I'm a special ease for contrary
course, an event not likely tooccur. B,ii
normal school certificates arenot per SO
sufficient, for tho reason that il was
deemed best for thu city tribunals 20 bp
me arbiters as TO who should tepch in
inc CITY schools Xxx.