The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-12-18
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE NEXT
LEGISLATURE BY THE STATE
TEACHERS.
Volume of Business Increasing in the
State Educational Department In
crease in Salaries Should
BE Made.

ton, and the suggestions made by the
state teachers and the state superin-
tendent should be given earnest atten-
ton by legislators. Especially should
the question of increase of salary be
carried out. The faithful, efficient
servant is worthy OF good salary, and
the people of Texas are more than will
ling to pay it.
The time has passed when sensible
people question the right and duty of
teachers to speak out on the changes
needed on our school laws. In every
city, town and county, teachers are
found whose breadth of view, culture,
patriotism, and common sense com.
mand the respect of sensible people.
These teachers study the school ques-
ton at first hand, and their matured
opinions deserve most careful consid-
Grafton from all interested in the
schools. The teachers of the state
have submitted to the people me-
mortal which they have had under
consideration and discussion since
January last. This memorial was
formulated by a committee of nine,
composed of county judges, county
superintendent, and city superin-
tendents, chosen from the Superin-
tendents association of this state.
The memorial was unanimously
adopted by the committee and the
Superintendent association at its
meeting in June last. 1t was then
laid before the State Teachers associa-
ton on the occasion of the largest
meeting of teachers which has been
held in any state in this country, and
was adopted by this association. The
State Teachers association, after
adopting the memorial, instructed its
executive committee to bring the me-
mortal to the attention of the people
and of the legislature, and this COM
mittee, in pursuance of the instruc-
tions of the association, is proceeding
now to lay this memorial before the
people. The memorial is as follows:
l. We recommend that each county
in the state be divided into as many
school districts as justice precincts,
and that the boundaries OF the two CO.
incide.
2. We recommend that the Office of
county superintendent be established
in every county having scholastic
population of 1000 or more; that the
establishment of the Office be left OPP
tional with the county commissioners
court of any county having a popula-
ton of less than 1000, and that the
salary paid county superintendent
be IN no case less than $500 per an
mum, the same to be appropriated
from the general revenue OF the county.
3. We recommend that the board OF
trustees of each school district adopt
for a period of not less than three
wears uniform series of books cover
ing the several branches of study re-
quired to be taught in the public
schools, and that the adoption of text
books by counties be optional.
4. We recommend that two addi-
tional normal schools for white teach
ers be established, one in Northern
and one in Central Texas.
5. We recommend that it be made
the duty of the commissioners court of
each county to order an election to be
held on the first Saturday in June of
each year, in each school district not
voting local school tax, to determine
whether such tax shall be levied.
6. We recommend the enforced COL
lection of 100000 defaulted interest
due the available school fund for land
sales made under land laws enacted
prior to the year 1888.
7. We recommend the investment
of the permanent school fund, both
state and county, in securities to be
created for the construction and
equipment Of school houses.
WORK OF THE OFFICE.
The volume of business in the de-
partment increases steadily as the
school system grows and improves
The successful management OF the
routine business has been largely due
to Mr.. A. S. Thweatt, who first as
clerk and afterward as chief clerk, has
remained in this department fol
about seven years.
The statistician, Mr.. E. B. Carruth,
has served in this capacity for the last
two years, and has been most faithful
to his duties.
Mr.. o. w. Cooper, during a service
OF three years, has managed the
blank business of the Office, sending
out more than three-quarters of
milliC n blanks each year.
Mr.. A. J. Clopton, who has served
as stenographic clerk during the past
two years, has performed his duties to
my eminent satisfaction.
The entire force has given its full
est service to the Office with faithful
devotion to duty, tireless industry and
scrupulous accuracy, and thus enabled
the superintendent TO give much OF
his time and thought, especially dur
ing the past year, to the improvement
OF the school system.
A HIGH SALARY.
During the past two years | have
spent about six months at intervals