The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-01-30
SCHOOL MATTERS.
AN ADDRESS BY SUPERINTENDENT
LOVE, OF NAVARRO
COUNTY.
How Can superintendent Have Influence
Among Politicians Without Them
selves Becoming Politicians.

ton has just issued the proceedings of
the superintendent association and
they contain an address by Superin-
tendent Love, of Navarro county, the
sentiments of which are timely. He
says:
In the discussion of this question it
is first necessary to define the word
politician. In its true and etymologi-
cal sense it means one who is versed
in the science of government-one
devoted to and who advocates such
measures as he is convinced will be
for the welfare of his country and pro-
mote the intelligence and NOR
atty of its citizens. In the common
acceptation of the term it means one
who is devoted to the advancement
of a particular party-one given to
artifce and intrigue. To be a poll
tician of the one kind is honorable, is
commendable, is an absolute neces-
sity, if we would not be nonentities in
the world of action. To be a poll
tician of the other kind is, to say the
least, not very commendable.
1t is an evident fact that school
teachers, especially superintendent,
who are by virtue OF their position
leaders in educational matters, must
study to develop the school system of
our country. The people look to them
for guidance in this matter. 1t is
their duty to formulate methods
and measures calculated to adj
vance the school interests OF
OR country, and it then
becomes their duty to advocate such
measures to the fullest extent of their
ability. But you ask the question,
"are they not thereby making politi-
clans of themselves / answer, they
are. They are politicians in one sense
in the true sense of the word. But
who can afford not to be politician
in this sensel They need not be pol
iticians in the less reputable meaning
of the word.
Whether they are to be classed
with the more or less reputable class
depends upon the means employed to
gain their object. And here lies the
gist of our subject: GLOW can super
intendents influence politicians with
out themselves becoming politicians"
In the light of what has just been
said it cannot be done-and yet it can
be done.
If we undertake to influence legisla-
ton in any way, we advocate certain
measures, and become to that extent
4 politicians; but we can still lend our
, influence in that direction, and yet
not become politicians in the other
sense of the term.
1 have said that the people look tc
the county and city superintendent,
and especially to the state superin.
tendent, to suggest needed reforms
They are in a better position to know
what would improve the condition OF
our schools than anyone else, and by
, making it their special study it is pre-
sumable they are conversant with
the defects of our school system, and
are better able to make wise sugges-
tons. IL then becomes not only theil
privilege but their duty to labor, and
labor with zeal worthy of the cause
they represent, for the success of sucl
measures as will improve the condi
ton of our schools.
There must of necessity be har
monious action on the part of the en-
tire body of superintendent. They
should take counsel together and
agree upon some plan-must bring
| ho,, tnI 10 he
same proposition. Slight differences
| of opinion must be waived and all
unite as far as possible in advocating
, such measures as may be agreed
, upon.
There should be an executive com
mittee appointed by this body whose
, duty it should be to represent the
ideas and desires of the association
, before the legislature and at such
, other times and places as may be
, proper.
This association should endeavor tc
discuss proposed reforms, in order that
free expression of sentiment may be
had, and the executive committee
should be thoroughly posted in that
, respect, and reflect the sentiments o.
, the association on all points with
which they deal.
! do not believe that our State rs
, ISOLATION, or our county associations
, deal sufficiently with these matters
, l believe that subject dealing with
our school system as II 'Jstem should
: be on the programme OF every asso'
citation and county institute.
, While in many respects VIC have
| good school system, yet in many
, other respects it is far surpassed b.
some of our sister states. Surpris
! ingly few of our teachers know any
D thing about the school systems Of
s other states, have no comparisons
2 made with our own, and really know
r but very little OF the machinery OF gu
) own. system.
City and county superintendent
could do very much in this way by en-
Y couraging an inquiry into the system
r of other states, lecturing on our owl
system, pointing out the good as wei
az the evil