Birmingham age-herald., 1894-08-26
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Interview With Superintendent
 Phillips,
Wherein Some Light Is Turned on the Much Discussed
 Question.

1 public school question, and as not word has been heard from Superintendent Phil | lips an AGE- HERALD man sought an in- | terview with him last evening, aud, in an- swer to 8 request for bis views, Dr. Phil | lips said:
 'I have no desire to participate in the discussion of the school question, for my | position as superintendent would enable those so disposed 10 clothe aught I might say on the subject of school finances with the garb of seli-interest. '' What of the statements that have been | made in regard to high salaries, etc.? l Dr. Phillips: 'The salary of the super | inter dent has never been S2700. For the present year it was fixed at R2400, volun- tarily reduced from S2650. The salaries of the principals of the Powell, Paul Hayne l and Henley schools are each $1350 per an- mum, or SIP. 50 per month, instead of Sl50 | per month"
 What about the argument against the | pr. Phillips: "That argument (?) | against the training school and the high school is both spacious and belated. It 1 was the resort of the demagogue twenty | five years ago. Wonder if 1t has never oc- 1 cured to these self constituted educa- tional critics that the training school is | one of the least expensive departments Of 1 Ithe city schools? It saves the board the 1 salaries of at least two extra teachers, who would be required to act as substitutes. During some years it has saved through | the service of it's members more than the amount expended upon it. During other years it may have fallen short of this $500 or even $500. It is needless to say that the board has very thoroughly canvassed the advisabiIity of abolishing this department, and when such step promises any. posi-. /. tive economy it will doubtless be taken.' II What of the high school7
 Il Dr. Phillips: tWith regard to the big b school. the average monthly expenditure for salaries last year was $616. For the present year the board estimates that the monthly tuition receipts from this depart ment will amount to S45o, provided the en- rollment remains the same as last year This would make this department cost the city sl66 per month. Should large reduc. | tions be made; in the salaries the school | may possi bly be made self-sustaining. It l will thus be seen that the, training school | and the high school promise to be the least l expensive features Of our school system so far as tue public treasury Is concerned. Those who so unreasonably and persist | ently attack these departments in the in- terest of economy have given little thought to the economic phase of the question l. much less to the benefits derived by their | maintenance.
 Much has been said about your system of physical culture, vocal music, etc. What of them?
 Dr. Phillips: "An intelligent public need not be informed that physical culture, vocal music and drawing gre today re- garded as essentials indispensable in any | good village school. Ordinarily, instruc- ton in these branches is an expensive tax upon co immunity in the way of salariee | for special teachers. But these forms Oi culture have never cost the city of Bir- mingham farthing. Is it the spirit oi l economy that prompts an attack on phys ical culture, etc.. the introduction ol which has added nothing to annual school budget2 Is 1t not rather the spirit of malice or pitiable gnorance?'
 "All good citizens," said Dr. Phillips,
 'realize the necessity of most rigid economy in tbe administration of our scboole in order to have any schools at all , and the public may rest assured that the gentlemen composing the board of educa- ton are not indifferent to the welfare of the schools or to the interests of the city In Q few days the board will meet and will doubtless contrive to carry on the work of the schools in the interest of the people, as D the past.''
 The AGE HERALD man then asked the superintendent if the suggestion as 10 re- quiring the principals of the several schools to teach was practicable.
 Dr.Phillips: 'tIt is possible for the schools to run without principals, or even super
 ntendent, just as it would be possible for the police force, the fire department and the health department to run without
 heads. They would be run after fashion. The impression seems to prevail in the
 minds of those who are ready 10 critieise
 without investigation that the principals
 have nothing to do, wherein they are re- l quired to do vast amount of careful work
 and to manage the entire building from
 cellar to dome, and upon them rests heavy
 weight of responsibility. To force them tt
 take charge of classes regularly would
 weaken the efficiency of the schools" 2
 Under the present financial depression oi
 the city, do you see how it is possible tc
 keep the schools up to their present stand
 ard of efficiency s-
 Dr. Phillips:a 'sI nm not supposed to b, the judge of the city's financial ability but find that the impression prevails tha
 the schools are run entirely at the ekpens' | of the city, whereas of the $49, ,5S0 appro | priated for this year for all school purposes 1 only FPS, 735 is asked from the city treas
 ury, the balance being paid by the sta t.
 and county and by tuition fees Tn the higl
 school. o
 Dr. Phillips does not seem despondent | but very hopeful of an adjustment of al , | difficulties and the continued prosperity c , | our splendid school system, which he ha
 so long and strenuousiy labored to place il | the very front ranks, and in which worl he has so well succeeded.
 When you feel all tired out and broker
 up generally, take Hoods Sarsaparilla. . ODD FELLOWS AT LOOKOUT NOUN l. TAIN.