The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-02-23


provides for a supervisor OF superintend-
ents who is to be appointed by the State
superintendent, will pave the way for
gradual increased efficiency. which in
time will equal that of the high school
principals whose positions, in point of
responsibility. must be considered in
ferior to those OF the county supernatural
ents. With the large discretionary pow
ers vested in the board probably sixty
per cent. of the present lncumbents will
be re-appointed without examination,
nor need the other forty per cent. nee
essarily be alarmed, for with nearly two
years to prepare themselves they should
be able 10 pass upon set of questions
not moro difficult than the law demands
OF them to submit to their teachers. And
If not, whose the blame. and whose the
gain? But why not simply impose an
educational qualification, and let that
suffice, IL 1t Will eliminate the most SER
lous defect III the superln tendency? Be-
canse tnat Is impracticable and we may
say impossible. An act OF the legIsla-
ture to that effect is unconstitutional,
and to attempt to amend the fuudament-
al law of the state by imposing an educa-
tional qualification for a political Office
would in all probability meet the fate OF
the amendment of 1885 in reation to this
very subject. Even though amendments
could be passed which would successive
~ increase the educational qualifications
of county superintendent, supervision
could not become what it should be.
Ever since 1863. Manitowoc county has
had uperintendents who held unlimited
state certificates or their equivaients,
and yet every one has repeatedly declared
that to supervise properly county com
prlslng 600 square miles In extent is a
physical Impossibility. One superintend-
ent went as far as to declare that super
vision under such conditions is prac teal
ly nudity. Now while [ do not sub
scribe to this latter declaration, [ frank
ly admit that my supervision can not be
sufficiently close,th | cannot reach most
schools In the county more than once
year, and yet l recognize the necessity Of
visiting every school at least four tim es
each year. In some counties the super
lntendents having $50 to 300 districts to
supervise need nearly two years to make
the rounds properly. The bill. while pro-
vid1ng remedy for excluding men who are
not at all fitted for tho office, at the same
time provides for better and closer super
vision of country schools by diminishing
the size OF supervisory districts. 1t is
only by making the superintendency an
appolntlve office, unaer the general juris-
dlction OF the state legislature that the
above defects can be remedied.
In Manltowoc county the superintend-
ent IS treated as a non political officer,
result that has been achieved through
the efforts of the leaders Of the dominant
party and the school men OF the county.
@ Of 70 40
work of any kind and were he to attempt
it, it would be frowned down by the peo-
pie who cling to the precedent establish
ed years ago. Hence it is that he is in
position OF independence, to follow in his
acts the dictates of conscience and reason.
wholly untrammled by the ward pollti-
clau. But how many counties are there
IN which this is the case? Investigation
shows there are very few indeed In
many counties he must be lone Of the
boys" shrewd wlre-p uller, a packer of
caucuses, IN short a politician first and
schOolman second; one who must accom-
Dany the political speakers to the school
houses there to hurl lnvectlves against
the other side-possibly IN the presence
Of teachers and school children! Whether
he will or not his contributions to cam
palgns are fully equal to those of the
other nominees on his ticket. and often
he pays from two to three hundred dol
lars for the privilege Of hiding on the
crest of a political wave which leaves
him stranded on the desOlate shore. Who
so bold as to claim that the superintend-
ent of schools IN politics IS not de-
morallzing in its tendency and sufficient
to render nugatory efforts towards ele-
waiting the standard among teachers and
schools? Schoolmen naturally shrink
from active politics and so long as the
office Is a political one, which must be
sought through the grace Of the politi-
clans, so long will it fail to attract the
best men, whatever the salary may be-
and SO long also will the successful can :
dldate be guided in his work more by the
effect it may have upon his reelection
than by what he knows to be the
real needs of his schools. AS
rule it takes full wear for an in
coming superintendent to familiarize
himself with tie details of his office,
which year is practically lost to the coun-
ty. During the succeeding years when
an able man is IN q position to touch with
a vlvifylng hand the schools under his
charge he is constantly confronted by q
possible loss OF positionithrough some poll
teal agitation. He cannot work for repu-
tatlon, he dare not introduce progressive
reforms. Further, the constant change
IN office, few men remaining in for more
than two or four years, renders impos-
slble the securing Of contin uity of work
and the saving Of the pro gress made
under previous superintend ents. With
the bill a law permanency would be at
once introduced. And all supernatural
ents, with no fear for the future If con-
sciOus of doing their duty, could devote
all their energies to their legitimate work.
They would as before be responsible to
the people, since every person would be
free to lodge comp amt against them, but
they would feel that no trumped ND
charge founded on ignorance or hate, sub
United to an impartial and no bipartisan
board would compass their dismissal.
man could then afford to make super
vision llfe-work, and it would hardly be
used as now, steppingstone to some
other calling generally the law.
1t is incomprehensible to one who is
deeply interested In the cause of elemen-
tary education to observe the attit ude of
members of the legislature from rural
districts upon questions relating to edu-
cation. NJ any thousands of dollars
are voted at every session for university
and normal schools, which by the way is
emlnenuy proper, but a strange penur-
lousness and apathy is shown in consider
ing measures that affect elementary edu-
cation. Fault can hardly be found with
city members for taking lie interest in
the above measure if country memb ers
who should be directly concerned evince
little disposition to push legislation
which is calculated to improve the
school at the country crossroads
poor mans college, the bulwark of Ameri.
can freedom. Could the bill be discussed
intelligently and upon It's merits there
is no doubU in my mind but that it would
gain IN strength sufficient to insure It's
passage; but those who are responsible
for its introduction and those who are in
terested IN It's passage are not in posi-
ton to lobby in its behalf With faw