The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-04

the gift Of the people into which politics should
not enter in the selection of a man To fill It, it
Is the office for which L am Candidate. II is
an Oince To which politicians give no thought in
selecting man 10 occupy IL. 1t might be said
that Its only patronage is the appointment OF a
DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT, as every Superinte tend
ent, irrespective OF politics. in thirty years eX
cept one, has retained the present secretary OF
the board because OF his clerical efficiency aud
sterling integrity
Ii Is evident from the nominations of the re-
cent political conventions that no teacher can
ever expect to receive at their hands the nomi-
nation for Superintendent of Public Schools.
Ii tbefe Is man In this city who has the re-
spect OF It's honorable men aud the love of
thousands OF its most intellig Mt women; il
thert is any teacher in IL who is a typical
teacner and the represeniativr of the common
schools, that man Is John SWEET. Yet John
SWEET had 10 withdraw his name for reDOmpa-
tion as superintendent of Public Schools from
the Republican Convention or be overwbelm-
lngly defeated by man who has never taught
day In this State or i'll this city, and who has
not en- connected with the public schools of
any State. directly or indirectly, for seven
years.
The nominee of the Democratic party is not
engaged In teaching. IL Is eight years since he
was connected with the public schools of this
city.
In my opinion. neither of these men can dis
charge the duties OF Superintendent of Public
Schools, so we'll as man directly from the
ranks. 1 do not believe that any firm 10 the
city would place at the head of their business a
man who had been engaged for seven eight
ability TO grasp questions pertaining TO trade
and finance
In tue past seven or eight years education has
Deen SystematiZed IL not entirely, almost into a
science, and teaching has come To be recOg-
nized as having within ii the possibilities OF a
profession. In his tiIpe citizen OF this State,
WnOm California hoD0red aud loved when liv-
Ing, aud whose memory she reverrs since he
has passed TO his rest. founded and muniii-
Gently endowed the Leland Stafford Jr. Uni
VeTslty. In this Institution was established on
iIS opening, department OF education. The
State University has since Instituted depart
ment OF pedagogy. Both departments are in
charge or young men, who are scientific edu-
Gators. a bright and energetic young man.
who was student at Clark University under
u Stanley Hall-recOgniZed as the greatest ex-
nonent OF modern scientific education 10 the
United States-has been elected principal of
the Normal School OF this city. An amendment
TO the constitution will be voted upon at this
pedagogics Of the State University members of
the State Board OF Education.
The whole trend OF the educational thought
of the times TO which this State is giving Its
official recognition is for the scientific educa-
ton OF men and women who desire to become
teachers. The whole trend Of the thought rela-
ents shall not only be scientifically educated,
but thai they shall be practical teachers with
executive ability.
Doubtless it is not known to the people in
general, and perhaps not even TO many of those
who have business relations with the School
Department., that sDe Superintendent, In addi-
liOu 10 tHc numerous ana afuuOuS duties re-
quired of him by the Political Code and cons SOL
idaton act, is called upon to perform the duties
OF executive officer OF the Board of Education
As such executive officer he has charge Of the
ofiice of the board, the clerks and others en-
ployed in the office, and must keep himself
familiar with the daily WORK of the Office and
The official acts of the Board Of Education, and
OF all its committees. With the assistance Of
the clerical force IL is his duly to execute all
orders of the board. He must examine and ap-
prove, if found correct, all demands for what
ever purpose passed 10y he board and payable
out of the school fund. o properly ferfOrm
this duty he must. so far as possible
acquaInt himself with the character and value
OF the services performed for tile department
and with the quality aud value OF ali art cles
purchased for the use OF the schools. He must
consider with the Board OF Education all mat
tiers pertaining 10 the erection of school build
lngs, the repairs necessary TO be made upon
school buildings the purchase of all supplies
Tor the use of schools, teachers and janitOrs
the character and amount Of work to be per.
formed by all who receive salaries or wages
from The board. the best means of maintaining
discipline throughout the partment aud the
most business-like methods of securing econ
omy in the care of school property and in the
expenditure of school funds Some idea of
| this branch of the Superintendenrs work NAV
be had when it Is slated that there are SEVENTH
five public schools In this city, seventy public
school buildings, 81 teachers, seyenty-four