The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-02-04


THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Three or more bills have been introduced
having for their object the regulation Of
the public school system OF the state: Sem
ate bill No. 20, introduced by Senator
Parkinson; senate bill No. 30 understood
TO have been prepared by the State Teach
ers' Association). and Senate bill No. Is,
introduced by Senator Drum. Of Pierce
the latter referring only to school system
for cities Of 5000 inhabitants and upward.
This IL branch Of legislation in which.
above all others. the people have right to
expect that members will exercise intelli-
gence and act with strictest integrity.
Here. 1t the very foundation Of the future
progress Of the state: here, at tho very
roots Of its bsst hope for benefcent fu-
turc; here, II anywhere. they have right
TO invoke honesty. careful scrutiny, cool
judgment and absolute freedom from
prejudice or bias.
II may be imagined that the enactment
Of . Law TO regulate the public school sys-
VI
or jobbery would find or seek . Judgment.
But experience has taught that il is ia
vorits and often most fertile field for van
dalism. II Is . branch OF legisIation con-
corning which honess Legislators. who hold
the public school system sacred. have rsa-
son TO b extremsly wary.
Of The three hills above referred 10 SEN
ats ntl No. 20. Il not perfect. IL the least
Objectionable. bat Il. In the organisation OF
distinct system for incorporated cities,
. superintendent IL essential, Il IL clearly
better to have that ofzicer elective by the
board Of directors rather than by the people.
compulsory rate Of three mills on the
hundred dollars ~ . minimum tax for
school purposes. with permissible rate Of
six mills, and In one Of the bills ten mills,
il certainly excessive in view Of the lavish
donations made by the federal government
for school purposes. In most OF the states
higher rate than two aud one-haif mills
il not allowed.
But whatever else may he done: what
ever arrangements may be made rs To
special methods OF districting and super
yistng. there should be uniformity Of text
books throughout the state, whether In the
schools OF incorporated cities and towns or
in outlying districts. and uniformity in the
rules governing thcseieciion Of teachers ana
In respect 10 pubic school management.
The examination of teachers and the
decision upon their qualifications should
be under the supervision and con-
trul Of the state authority. and In line with
this central idea OF uniformity. whether In
rural districts or in those comprising the
Any other arrangement. notably tina, now
much discussed AT Olympia. TO dispense in
the larger cities with the usual examina-
lion by county superintendenss and To
leave the matter Of qualification. As well as
selection. 90 the city board, would be bad
In many ways, especially in this, that
II would tend Ia fayoritism and
be an unsafe Capitalization OF power.
The simpler the system. the fewer the vari-
atoms from uniformity, the more perfect
viii il be.
La very large proportion the population
OF this state il constantly changing. The
resident OF enc city today may be located
In another eity or town or in some rural
district next week. And unless there is
uniformity in text hooks = person whose
business or necessities should compel him
Ia make frequent changes Of location might
he compelled 10 buy new hcoks AZ each
change aud thus put to serious expense.
A scrutiny Of soine Of these measures
makes it perfectly clear that "a school
hook ring" has been formed. and that.
rather than SPEND q large amount on a
hsht Of doubtful issue for supplying the
Whole state. they have made ARRANGEMENTS
IL divide territory" and have got ar
compromise hall. under which, If il should
pass, there would he no rate CUTTING. com.
petition between them, bat al raononolg
prices one would be the only bidder sar
Seattle. another fcr Tacoma, another for
Spokane. and alternating all along The line.
IL Is easy 70 perfect a simple. straight
forward bin, applying the samse jass rules
snd principles 10 ali the ehlldrsa OF the
state. whether city~hred or soansry-bre.s.
With uniformity in textbooks. uniformity
ia system and general principles OF man
asemenf. and nowhere robbery or SohAsvy
inconnssttoa with eur pahlic school system.
Nsne~rs have oaly 10 keep their eyes
cpsns ana when = provision seerss SnaSsr-
aoas, and requires lobbyist 10 explain H.
Simply strike II cat UHsler no esrcana.
stances shousd sns risk nc run Of lsaysng
an opening Cor triekery or sharp practice to
esesIeai the fund ses apart Tor educational
purposes. Drsw she liae OF honesty around
TIE sehosl fanss.