San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-03-06
Our System Of Public Free Schools.
Texas Christian Advocate.

| We have in Texas what is called,
by courtesy, system of free public
schools. That many of the schools
are free enough, in very many res
poets, besides free tuition, may be
granted; but it is palpable misno
mer to speak Of our system of schools.
Secretary Baker, of the school board
which is not an actual, but an er.
c6icio body, Judging from his report
to the legislature--evidently holds
about the same opinion of the whole
school system that Senator Coke
expressed of the judicial article in our
state constitution-that the best way
to improve it would be to rub out and
begin anew.
We have examined, with some care
the new school law just passed by our
State Legislature. 1t is, in some
respects, superior to the old law.
l. 1t gives legitimate head to
the system, in state superintendent;
but that superintendent is to be elect
ed by the people; and will of course,
be selected by the State Democratic
convention, to attach to the tail of
the ticket. This was tried under
Governor Coke, and abandoned, be-
cause, by the time the other state
officers were nominated, the conven-
ton was too much exhausted or excl
ted to calmly choose head to our
grand system of education. Abetter
plan might have been adopted.
2. The scholastic age has been
increased two years-from eight TO
sixteen years of age Texas is still
lar behind most of the States in this
respect. Twenty-four of the States I
Ind Territories extend the age to
,wenty-one years. However this is I
IN advance upon the law enacted un- I
Ter Governor Hubbards administra-
ion. s
8. The new law appears to re- ?
luire the county court to form school c
and to give the court and
rustees elected by the people the {
TO manage their schools; +
nd by vote Of two-thirds of the d
citizens, to authorize an n
dditional tax for the schools. But a
bis is yitiated by a section which ex- o
mpts fifty-three counties, some OF a
be most wealthy and populous in o.
he State, from the operation OF the p
wv. r,
The serious defect, or vice, in the v,
system OF the former law u
'as, that, instead OF uniting in q Ii
eighborhood on one good school, al
ifferent factions formed separate
1mmunities, and fomented discord.
system of school districts, with
Ietes and bounds, would avoid these OF
In the late law. which az
,peals all laws conflicting with il, al
lere is provision, which to this cl
dvOcate appears TO perpetuate all l.
le eyils OF the community system. "a
has the appearance OF doing 90, at al
asst Section seventy-three declares Ol
The bona 6de residents Of this "a
ate desiring 10 unite in the organ
alton Of free school community, se
AL make an application in writing in
the County Judge. on or before th
e frst day Of August Of each year, st'
Ating that they desire in good fAith re
organize q free school under the lul
DIVISIONS Of this lar, and shall ask cis
at their Just pro rata Of the avAila- m'
e school fund Of the county be set Iel
AT for the benefit Of Their school %
immunity, etc Purthsrprovisions ab
ate, Three trustees shall Be ap- II
lntsd BY The County J Jadge for each ne
immunity school, etc Nov let as "a,
PPose thAt ~ . village of fer fAV