The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-12-25

i first million located for the institution
Commissioner Walsh is prepared Il
make designation of the lands on hi:
maps before January l.
President Ashbel Smith stated tina
he found the University in very
satisfactory shape. From the chair
man OF the faculty and others he
learns that the students as body are
making good progress and are better
advanced than at this time last year,
More students, too, are in actual at
tendance, and from a greater number
OF. counties. The regents seemed to
be well pleased with the present stat
/ US Of affairs and they were unani-
nous in thinking that there was a
| bright outlook for the future prospect
ty of the institution Their commit
tee to wait on Gov. Ireland in regard
| to the land matter, reported the gov
ernor as willing to submit the views
of the board to the legiS. atuIe, but he
was non-com initial as to his
own ideas of the propriety
of giving the regents control of the
university lands. The committee pro-
pose making statement OF the mat
ter to the legislature. The governor,
though not expressing disapproval OF
the proposed plan, thought that there
should De a uniform system for dis
posing of both the school and univer-
sity lands. He does not expect to
make any specific recommendation to
the legislature in regard to these
lands, but desired to be relieved from
further duty in connection with tht
land board. An independent lane
board might be established, with the
land commissioner at its head. BY
having all the lands under one man
axemrnt better harmony could be Sc
cured. but he would not oppose the
regents controlling the lands that be-
long to the University.
The regents were satisfied with the
governors position, and expressed
themselves not as desiring to take the
matter of dispOSing OF the lands from
the board, but they want such author
ity as will enable them to lease the
lands so that some revenue may be
Obtain ed from them.
The annual report of Hon. B. M
Baker, superintendent of public IN
struction. is out. 1t is brlef but
most interesting parer. Speaking of
the teachers, he says:
"There has been tho most marked
Improvement in the character. attain
ments and efficiency of our public |
school teachers. They realize that |
Texas Is making rapid strides IN the |
CAUSE of education, and with COM |
menda6le zeal are struggling to keep !
abreast OF the age. Those who are |
still young are seeking admission to !
our state normal Institutes, While |
thousands of others are pursuing a |
systematic course of study at their |
homes, preparatory to applying for
teachers certificates at summer nor
NAL institutes. Our teachers every
where enjoy the confidence and es-
TEEN Of the people"
Good accounts are given OF the pros
perity of the Sam Houston normal
institute, the Prairie View school
(colored) and the summer nOrmals.
He favors the plan of having local
and regarding this
feature, says:
with local superintendent devot-
ing all their time to organizing and
the schools, employing and
paving teachers and aiding them in
the discharge of their duties, two i'm
portant results might be confidently
locked for-more successful teaching
and longer terms of the schools"
Further on he adds: "They should
examine teachers, grant certificates,
and visit and supervise the schools
They might be required to take the
scholastic census. In that case, the
fees paid county judges and assessors
would be saved to go to the salaries of
They should also be
to approve all drafts on the
treasurers, and discharge all
duties now incumbent on the county
Judges. My Judgment is that the
greatest need of our schools IS super
vision, ard know of no other plin
that will secure il"
Attention Is also called to the i'm
peratiVe need of a uniform series OF
books to be used in the public schools.
In regard to this he has the follow
ing:
"Almost all the school books Of the
present day are meritoriOus, and no
danger would be incurred by the
adoption of plan for the selection of
such as are to be used. Many parents
are poor, and to bs complied to buy
books whenever a new teacher is en-
ployed, is a grievous hardship to
them.
81 suggest that each county be re-
CURED to adopt a uniform series of
books, to be used for such length of
time as may be deemed advisable. The
series could be adopted by the county =
court, or by a CONVEX
ton Of public school teachers of the :
county held for the purpose. The
latter plan, would, in my opinion, be
more satisfactory. Somewhere, also,
should be vested authority to intro
duce from time to time new books of /
superior merit.