The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-29


world where moral principles and every
kind OF equity is TO be more regarded than
at the sessions OF a capable board OF school
trustees. The rule just stated is one OF
the facts which so strongly suggest the
choice of both men and women to the trus-
tees Office. Does it not stand to reason
that equitable and moral considerations will
weigh more truly and determine more ez-
than in one composed Of either sex eXClu-
sively? Have not women the same con-
ton as men have? Have they not equal
fidelity In the discharge of duties committed
to them IF they eonsttnts =, more o than
mOnwealth Is IL not rational to think that
they ought TO constitute a large percentage
ers are responsible and from whom their
election proceeds? VIII any dare say :hat
women have not the capacity and the con-
scienti0usness for such duty?
II will speak this occasion for the
extension of the practice now prevailing
TO so limited a degree in our State of elect
Of school trustees. The practice can but
result in good 1t must consolidate the
interest Of AL in that great fact which is
We believe that in those cases in which
women have been 90 chosen to this Office
usual zeal and fidelity. without neglect
ing any Of the Offices to which they are
M, assigned In the social and domes-
with knowledge and discretion to the work
OF school management and supervision
agreeable and honorable associates for the
male members OF our boards. and have
contributed by the peculiar faculties which
they possess TO the strength and efficiency
of the trustees office.
ut is the. crownng dignity and pride of
the trusteeshp that 1t is allied with the ed
ucational interest Of the country. Trustees
are, or ought to be, educators. They train
with educators and belong with them as q
class. Their affiliations with office holders
is only incidental. 1t is not meant that all
office holding is not honorable when 1T is
honorably administrators but the larger part
Of office holding is so interlocxed with the
intrigue OF party and with political macn-
ination as TO make it of bad reputation in
teeship holds so slightly to the offlce-hold-
ing community and so powerfully to the
educational interest as to make 1t social
and civilizing force in every community
where 1t exists. The trustees are affiliated
by their office with that great body Of
teachers upon whose skill and good con-
science and fidelity TO duty the character
depends.
"Trustees are thus enrolled with the
makers of good citizenship. They belong
by profession, not to the convention, but
10 the educators guild. They are at home
replenished with educational literature; their
thoughts are occupied with the schools.
Their hopes and anxieties rest with teach
erS, superintendents, pupils and parents.
Their duties bind them day by day and
month by month to those delicate intellect
child mind is wrought at length into the
man mind and woman mind, capable of
consumed with tasks, which, though they
bring no great emolument or fill the air
with buZZing of applause do nevertheless
discharge it with fidelity the unspeakable
reward of sef-approval. the consciousness
of duty unselfshly done in the cause of
truth and progress"
MR.. AYRES ON TRUSTEES.
Edwin Ayres, superintendent of the La
fayette Schools, followed with a paper on
the same subject public School Trus-
tees" On the question of the selection of
teachers Mr.. Ayres said
1.-THE legal responsibility for the selection
of teachers is in the hands of the board,
but the wise board Will accept without
hesitation, in many cases, the recommen-
dations of it's superintendent and will leave
the teaching force entirely in his hands
and under his control. The formulating
and adapting of course of study for the
schools of a city is professional work and
should be left wholly to the superintendent.
There is no way in which a superintend-
ent can work so effectively upon the
schools under his charge as through the
course of study and much time must con-
stantly be spent by him In modifying ands
revising It in accordance with new ideas
which are the result of his study Of the
needs of his own schools and his knowledge
Of what others have done and are doing
under similar conditions. Such work re-
quires much time and thought. Time and
be granted.
There should, in all their work, be the
closest sympathy between the superintend-
ent and the board, perfect confidence and
franlsness and openness on both sides.
They should inform him of any criticisms
they may hear of his work, support and
sustain him in times when he needs their
lie, in his turn. should consult with
them and keep them thoroughly Informed
at all times of his purposes and plans, his
successes and his failures. If possible, he
should, in the introduction of any new
plan or the making of any important
or change seem to come from a member or
members Of the board. They will, in this
way. feel that they share with him the
support he needs in any failure and his
proper development the end and aim of all
school work
wholly I'm the hands of the superintendent
and ell common sense boards will keep 1t
there In manufacturing establishment
little could be expected from the superin-
tendent who entirely without control
over his workmen, If they were employed
or discharged without reference to his
bility to the special work they were to per-
form. The same principle applies. only
with more force in educational work
Finally, at ali times and under
all circumstances, both superintendent and
board should have before them the highest
good of the children who are committed
patiently and persistently towards that
end.
Just preceding adjournment, Narsimha
Chara, the Brahmin priest, was introduced.
and spoke for a few minutes on the edu-
cational advantages that had been secured
to the natives OF India within recent years.
Programme To-Day.
Friday a. m.-Duet, Mr.. and Mrs. Glas-
al1 OK