Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-23
Superintendenfs' Salaries,

To the Editor Of the Dispatch.
see that a resolution has been in
troduced in the Senate looking to the
reduction of the salaries Of county and
city superintendent Of schools. This
is a matter that should receive careful
consideration by our legislators before
action upon it; for it is possible that
great injury might result to the schools
from ill-adyised legislation on this point.
But | cannot think it at all probable
that the honorable committee to whom
it has been referred will report in favor
of any reduction, at least so far as the
counties are concerned. do not speak
for the cities, not being familiar with
the workings Of the office there, but for
the counties, where | have been identi-
fed with the system and know whereof
| speak.
venture the assertion that super
intendent of schools in the Southwest
is paid less in proportion to the quality
and amount Of labor required Of him
than any other State or county office.
The counties are large in extent and the
roads rough and mountainous. He
must be away from home two to three
months in the winter season, making
official visits, and all the time paying
his expenses out Of his already meagre
salary. Salaries are lower now than
ever before in the history OF the system,
and this Notwithstanding the schools
are more numerous and the labor of the
position greatly increased from what it
was in the first decade of its existence.
In my county the salary was 80 per
cent. higher in 1872 than now, and
yet at that time DR.. Rutlner,
in his annual report, speaks thus
on this subject A comparison Of the
labOrs, and the pay Of these officers
tsuperintendents) will, | hope, satisfy
every one Of their fathfulness, Of the
Importance Of their duties, and the in
adequacy OF their compensation. Their
labors are so quietly performed that
only the record can reveal their extent /;
whilst the tongues Of complaint are al.
ways blatant. Comparing them with
other public servants in our own State,
which is probably as well differed in
every department as any State in the
Union, any one may see that whilst
county superintendent stand high in
the scale of personal merit and impor-
lance, they are near the bottom in re-
Enumeration" In Part III. Of the same
report, page Is and seq, that distin-
guished educator gives a lucid exposi-
ton Of the duties and responsibilities of
this office, which is we'll worth the read
ing.
quote further from his report for
1879, page %: Il think that am not
presuming too much on the intelligence
Of my readers when ! say that after the
presentation given of the duties and
pay Of the county superintendent it is
perfectly evident that this officer is un.
derpaid, not overpaid. And whilst in
the present state of public sentiment
there may be no hope Of obtaining an
increase of salary, yet i verify believe
that an increase Of pay would not only
be an economy, but would end in salts
flying the people better than they are
now satisfied, for much dissatisfaction
is occasioned by the i'll effects of i'm
perfect supervision, and the imperfect
supervision results from the insufficiency
Of pay"
Again, in his report for 1880, he
says: "The office (of superintendent
demands superior qualifications. Its