Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-09-08

=
I, very probable that the schools could no
| then be maintained for the required tern
of six months.
1t seems, then, that the only remedy IS in
| local taxation to supplement the state anG
| county apporuonment, and the sooner the
| people realize that their schools must have
| local aid the better for the schools and the
children dependent upon them for theil
| education.
Many people have been led. through q
! misunderstanding of this question. to an
honest expectation of too much from ON
state school fund, and hope the day is not
Tar distant when the citizens OF every dis
| trlct will see the necessity for this local tax
and JOIN III grand movement in that direc-
ton. Then we may hope TO see our
schools prosper; then we may hope
TO see a respectable school building
| In every district; then we may hope to see
active local interest; then we may hope to
see such results as our forefathers con-
tempiated in their grand and far-reaching
constitutional provisions.
The rapid increase in the number of dis
trlcts, in various sections of the state. that
have recently voted local tax upon them
selves Is an indication that the people are
coming to understand their duty. and, as
they realize 1t, they act in the interest Of
their children, and in the interest of good
Citizenship and good government.
ORGANIZATION.
Next in Importance to the means of sup
port for our schools, is an organization that
will produce the best results with the least
friction. The only means for reaching
such an organization are along the lines pur-
sued by men who succeed in the manage
ment of their private affairs. In order that
any business enterprise may succeed,
1t must be under the direction of
some competent manager. This position is
never called in question in any line of
business. But when we come to the
schools, it seems that some of our plans are
as far from this principle as it is possible
for them TO be. One instance of this is
seen in the custom of making our county
Judges eX-oficio county superintendent of
has no parallel in any state of the
Union except in Florida, where,
few. years. ago, the. sherifss We're
eX-otficio superintendent of schools.
County judges are chosen upon the basis
OF the qualifications necessary for that office
and not upon the basis of the qualifications
necessary for school supervision.
Both reason and the experience of many
years unite in declaring that it is utterly
impossible for county Judge, with only
the usual qualifications for that position,
to discharge his other duties and at the
same time supervise the schools of county
in an efficient manner.
The work done in our city schools! has
usually been much mere efficient than that
done IN the country schools, which is at
trlbutable principally to the lack of sufi-
clent funds in the country schools and the
lack OF thorough organization under et1i-
clent supervision.
Give each of the populous counties of the
state county superintendent qualified for
the duties of such position and the results
would be much more satisfactory than IN
der the present plan.
THE TEACHERS PREPARATION.
Our state normal school cannot supply |
more than One-tcnth of our schools with |
teachers instructed in the best methods Of |
teaching, of discipline and of school man
agement. This condition renders it needs |
sary to supply this deficiency, as far as |
possible, through institute work.
A few years ago the legislature made an !
sufficient to support a sunk
mer normal institute in each senatorial dis /
trlct for white teachers ana one in each I
district for colored |
teachers. Much progress resulted |
from these institutes. Through them |
~ professional feeling was awakened. or !
created in the teacher; the best methods of |
ing were presented, discussed and Illus
trated, I aud the real teachers |
were inspired with greater zeal for the
WORK. | know OF no agency more frought !
With good to the schools than the rightly !
county or district institute"
II is TO be regretted that the state with
lrew its support from these institutes:
ont, be it said to the credit of many /!
eachers. that they have organized insti-
.utes and employed conductors and assist
,nts at their own expense. and have thus !
pushed forward this work from wear 10 !
ear. Much has thus been accomplished,
)ut more would have been done if the
tate aid and state control Of
hem had continued The progress
md development of the teachers through |
hese Institutes manifest themselves in
he teachers interest in school duties, in
heir professional bearing and enthusiasm,
n their general information and
ulture. So they are to-day
tronger better ana more ambitious
cen left to blunder tbrou@b
is own efforts, into success or failure. re-
eating, at the expense of the children the
Mistakes of all his predecessors. The in
titute puts the teacher in the line of pro
essional study and development, and.
through this, the greatest good of the |
Institute is accomplished.
If every school had good teacher. ALWAYS
eady with common sense and tact to meet |
he troubles that arise in an equitable aud |
racticable manner, every school would be
uccessful, and the children would be led
Y the hand of the wise teachers into paths |
usefulness.
Then the state would reap the proper
arvest, lawabiding and intelligent citizen
nip, as result of its planting in our con-
.itution the seeds from which this harvest
brings.
The spirit of progress in this line is>A
lown in the actions of many school boards
selecting none but the best teachers.
With these three essential elements. ample
lnds, efficient supervision, and competent
,achers supplied, there need be no fears as
other matters. Let these be given to the
'hoOls and all other things will be added in
lie time.
The above discussion of the teachers
reparative is intended to refer to present
,nditlons and the need of more normal
'hOols is purposely omitted
The following are some of the canister
lot of the speakers:
Judge Harris said-'The old adage that
lerit will win is fully emphasized in the
lection of Professor Carlisle
Pool says - "a Texas
acher is unknown who does not know Sr-
.rintendent Carlisle ,
Judge Boykin says-"Professor Carlisle.
you appreciate nothing else YOU will !
rely remember the charms and congratu-
tons of these fair ladies' =
Mr.. Rogers says-''ThiS is the manifest
oment have had in twenty years. was
irrled over twenty years ago"
Mr.. Williams says-"Governor James G
ogg was unknown TO the citizens of Texas
til he appointed Professor Carlisle as
perintendent'
Mr.. baltimore says-"Professor. Won can | +