Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1891-01-28
The SCHOOL BILL.
Neither Perfect. But Should Pass Forth
with Some OF the Weak Points
Revealed.

To the Editor OF the New Mexican.
SANTA FIX, Jan. 27.-Amid the accla-
nation and halelujahs which rise all over
New Mexico to-day as the news is re-
ceived OF the unanimous passage Of the
school bill in the house, any criticism Of
details seems almost out OF place. Yet
there are two such serious errors in the
two bills now before the legislature, that
ask space to refer to them
The bill now before the council, the
committees substitute for the Mills bill,
has its weak point in its very essence.
No law will be effective unless there is a
supreme power to see it executed. A
territorial board to control, and a super
intendent to be the executive head, are
essential. Here the council bill is fatally
defective. 1t provides for board to
consist OF the chief justice and the
president Of San Miguel college, the
University and tho agricultural college :;
and they are to chose one OF their own
number to act as superintendent. The
most obvious objection is that the number
Is even, and they are likely to have a
deadlock on many subjects. But there
are others more serious. They are all
busy men and their business is in four
different places. The judge can not leave
his court or the presidents their colleges
to hold meetings when required, Then as
to uperintendent, it is doubtful whether
they could agree on one to the end of
time. II they should, lie could not act,
for he would have his own duties to per-
form. The superintendent should give
his whole time to his office, none OF the
four members of this board could do that.
If one did, he would have to resign his
other position and then he would cease to
be eligible as superintendent. The plan
can not possibly work, and even II the
rest OF the bill is good, it must be radically
changed.
Now that the house has passed its bill,
however, it will Of course be best for the
council to concur, and 80 run no risks.
Nevertheless that bill has grave defect.
This is as to examination Of teachers.
Nothing is more important. Not half our
teachers are fit to teach at all. They are
appointed through favor or pity, simply
to give a person so many dollars month.
A county superintendent said last week
that less than onetifth of the teachers in
this county were not fit for their places.
Yet, they have certificates, because they
and their friends begged them of the
county superintendent, and the latter has
not the knowledge or the independence
to refuse. We must have sn efficient
board to examine, and they should not be
from the locality OF the anpli l41i Other
wise, fear and favor prevail The board
should be territorial for three reasons:
l. That it may be free from personal
influence.
2. That it may be intelligent and edu'
Gated itself.
8. That we may have a Uniform sys-
TEN of grades, with certificates good all
over New Mexico.
This point can hardly be over estimated
in its importance. Still, important as it
is, the council should not stop to amend
it, but pass the bill as it comes from the
house; and afterwards We can remedy
defects. Delay is dangerous, as it was
found two years ago. 1t will not do to
risk sending back the bill. Auy attempt
at that will be recognized as real oppos-
ton to the great reform needed. Let the
bill be passed promptly; and then let
good act as to examinations and certifi
Gates be passed. PROGRESS.