Birmingham age-herald., 1894-08-19
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
TO the Age- Herald:

10 me ABe- deralu.
 BIRMINGHAM, Aug. 1S.-Rcferripg to the recent action of the mayor and board oi aldermen in making a sweeping reduction in the expenses of tue city. ask that you will accord me space in your valuable paper to discuss other matters, which may ulti- mately lead to increased reductions.
 As a citizen who has the interest and welfare of this city at heart, aside from my official position as an alderman, have for 6 long time advocated the step which was taken at the last meeting of lhe board, but it seemed that a majority of the board were of a different opinion, and it was only after the defeat of tue Birmingham tax amend ment at the recent election, which con- vnced the members of the board of the necessity of such action, that made it possi- ble for us to pass the resolution which pro. vided for the reduction. It has bsen urged that corresponding reductions should have been made in the pay of the police force, and that the office of recorder should have been abolished, and the duties of his posi- tion added to those of the mayor.
 In regard that desire to say tbat the committee carefully considered those mat ters, and the fact that the act creating the board of police commissioners prohibited the board of aldermen from increasing or diminishing the pay of any police officer during the term of his office, and the fur ther fact that the office of recorder was created by an act of the legislature and not Dy tu6 DOdTQ Ot HhyOE duQ diucTu1tD. dQQ therefore could not be abolished except by legislative enactment, alone prevented the board of aldermen from making further re. auctions in that depirtment.
 The present administration has given to the people one of the most economical ad- ministrations which this city has had for many years, and the books of the city will show a saving os many thousands of doE lars to the city in the last two years over the years which have immediately preceded them, and this recent reduction is directly iu line and carrying out the policy of economic dministration which the pres ent board, since my connection with it, have adopted.
 As one who desires the prosperity of the city may be pardoued for offering sug- gestion for further retrencbment in it's ex pendltures.
 The legislature should be asked to abolish the office of recorder, and that office be filled by the mayor or one. of the aldermen.
 The salaries of the entire police force should be reduced as soon as their present term of cfiice xpires.
 The expenses of the public schools can be reduced from one-third to one-half. The salaries from superintendent down to janitor can very well be reduced by he board of education. l understand the sals- rIes now paid are the same as wher every thing was prosperous and rents and the cost of living much greater than at present. Fewer teachers are needed now than for : merly, because there are fewer pupils, and the principals of the several schools should be required to teach, and the superinteud- ent be required tu look after the general management of the several schools.
 think if these changes were made by the board of education ihe number of teachers reduced ana their salaries cut cown, that the city council would be able to provide the means tor carrying on the public schools, without the necessity of charging tuition on each pupil. We are