Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-02-18

Who Desires to Advocate such a system'
Editor Of Rennebee Journal
have been very much interested of late
in reading the articles written by school
authorities and by others upon the school
systems district and town.
shall make no pretence, at this time, to
discuss the advantages of the one or the dis
advantages of the other But | do believe
the time has fully arrived when law should
be enacted and enforced which shall radical
ly change the present condition OF our
schools. and put check upon the wasteful
manner in which the school money in We ry
many of our rural towns Is expended. What
can be said of one of these towns may be, in
a m sasure, said of many others. if not near
Iy all
Allow me to nse nv own town eX-
ample. Ii contains nine districts, and two
hundred and twenty-two scholars at this
time. Last summer eight teachers were
employed to instruct an average of eighty
seven pupils at an average weekly
tuition of forty three cents. The present
~uter seven teachers have been employed
to instruct an average of ninety two scholars
at an average weekly tuition of seventy three
cen,s-in one school the tuition reached one
dollar and ninety cents. Who will say that
W tlHht NHtu tuEtt VIII uU
even better work is economizing talent?
Who will say that paying eight teachers to
do The work which should De done by three,
At most, is financial economy Who desires
TO advocate or to remain under a system that
will produce or even permit such a condi-
ZION as this? We may be partially eIcep-
tipnal. being located in close proximity to
kent's Hill, which has a tendency to thin our
.chool ranks
must emphstically agree with Bro. Web
s'er, of the fraternity, that on many points
Justice cannot be done to either teacher
or pupil under the district system.
1t is fact that the twenty per cent. law
hoes not, nor can it eguallze the dis
,ribution to the school money.
The erroneous idea. held by some, tbs be
cause teacher has been certificsted for one
school his qualifications are sufficient for any
and all schools in town should be refuted.
While an applicant NAV be qualified and
emineutly successful In one school he may
utterly fail in another. In the matter of GER
thcaiion | fully endorse DR., Webster.
have also been Interested in Mr.. Cranes
communication; but while am in sympathy
with his IDEAS generslly, must d Ter with
him on some points He says 1T may be
sand that the supervisor has the veto power
NI'l lili8 - bfA but II - ttlhpNN illpOsslplt
fpr him To u. it. lie has no controlling in
huence over h. teacher. They come to him
tor ~ examination on Saturday before the
MonaAy When the school ia adver
ti.e to begin. They have seen the agents
,ud all the arrangements are made. To re
fuse the certificate becomes almost an i'm
possibility.
BY Years of experience think | have
learned that a supervisor can be and is quite
ott.n placed under very embarrassing and
tnuoynx circumstances. and think | can
fu Is sS mpathze with our brother Crane as
regards our own personal feelings. But
1oes not the oath of office, the tterests of
he schools and the future benefit to the in
Competent applicant demand that we should
xeiclse the vetoing power whether acting I'M
Ter the District or Town system? We are
aware and it is to be regretted, that this is more
or less prsctced; but for the interest of all
concerned would it not be better TO keep in
violate our conscious duty even at the risk of
he loss of personal friendship, believing
hat we shall be sustained by those who look
at It's bearings unders;andingly. and in the
interests of the schools?
GEO. UNDERWOOD.
Il