The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-07-17
OUR SCHOOLS.
PLAIN TALK FROM A TEACHER
Mr.. j. IL. Jones Communication to the
City Council or Our Educational
Interests Pointers as to
Prosperous Policy,

DALLAS, July lG.-To the Honorable city
Council of the City of Dallas:
Having been appointed by your hon
orable body as ono Of the examiners OF
teachers for our public schools, and as
you are to act this evening upon an ordi.
nance for the better government of the
public free schools of Dallas, permit me
to present to you what | consider the
prominent and cOmmendable features OF
the ordinance. This bill has had my
careful and critical examination, and in
my judgment, based on an extensive
experience in teaching in early life, is
lust the thing we need as Il basis upon
which to build lirst-class public free
schools. 1t vests the organization and
management in Board Of School Direc-
tors, to consist Of one from each ward
to be elected by the people, and to serve
without compensation; the result OF
which will be to divorce ward politics,
with all of its attendant chicanerv from
public schools; to relieve you, in great
measure, of an onerous duty, aud to
accord to the people their inaieua-
bic right to select by ballot
those who are to control the schools in
which their children are to be taught
In the second place, 1t provides for 4
system well guarded and practical i'm
all of its details, the main feature OF
which is that it contcmplatcs the ap
pointment by the Board of Directors of q
superintendent of Public Schools who
shall have control Of the government
and instruction in all the schools, sub
ject to the approval Of the Board of hi.
rectorS. In my Judgment, this is the
most important feature of the bill, as
| upon it depends the efficiency and har.
moniouS working Of all the schools
You, gentlemen, have the power to fin
the salary of superintendent, and
| would suggest that you fix ii sufficiently
hgh as to command Thoroughly CONNIE
tent talent. We must secure bette,
teaching talent in our schools and car
| only do so by Offering better wages. Re.
| member that the State of Texas give,
| you $4,000 annually to eXpcnd in educat.
ing the children of Dallas and the peo
pie have II right to demand that il be eX.
pended in a iudiciOus and systematic
manner, and not squandcred in an aim.
less attempt to conduct Il system oil
inefficient schools which our citi
zens are unwilling to patronize. BuilG
up and sustain tirst-class public free.
schools, such as every good citizen will
| be proud of and you will not want fo,
either money TO run them or pupils tc
attend them. This will do more To ado
to the population and prosperity o
Dallas and the dinlinution of crime thar
the same amount Of money invested in
any other direction. Prominent citizen.
of New Caledonia, who are opposed t.
annexation to Dallas, say that five vii
establish public free schools of which
we may be justly proud, they will gladly
JOIN us. In conclusion, gentlemen
permit me to say that if you will pass
IhisI ordnance without incumbe, ing i
with amendments, such as will destro,
its efficiency and thereby Law the basis
of system of efficient public fire.,
schools, you can use me in the capacit,
| OF either director or examiner as vol
deem best to aid You in your under
taking. Yours Respectfully,
.InnN LII InNES