Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-07
OUR PUBLIC SCHOLS.
An Interesting and Instructive Interview on
 Birmingham Public Schools.

An Interesting and Instructive Interview on
 Birmingham Public Schools.
 representative of the State Herald cornered MT. Samuel Unman, president of the board of education of public schools, and drew from him the follow. ing:
 MT. Ullman, will you have the kind ness to give me few dots concerning our public schools?"
 "I shall do so with pleasure; particular lyif by any publicity you give might be able to reach the attention of our people, for I am convinced that there is no part of our city government that is as impor- tant and far-reaching in molding the character of our people as our public schools"
 "Mr. Ullman, how long have you been connected with our school system?"
 1T was elected a member of the board of education in 1884 and have served ever since"
 Then you have seen the growth almost from its infancy?"
 "Yes. We have almost as many thou sand pupils now in attendance as we had hundreds. Then we had corps of teach CTS not exceeding twenty. Now we have about eighty?"
 T imagine that to you, MT. Ullman the growth of our system has been very gratifying?"
 "Yes. that Is true. No public question is closer to me than the welfare and progress of our schools. It Is my opinion that we not only have the most able corps of teachers. but almost the most loyal and devoted. I have but one re- gret in making this statement and that Is the fact that it Is to be published be- cause I would like to reach the ear of every patron and tell them how much they owe to Dr. Phillips and his able as-s sistants, but refrain because of his and their modesty. have often thought that our people do not appreciate as fully as they should how much has been accom- plished. Birmingham is regarded as the Mecca of public schools in Alabama and of the south. Schoolmen come here to take object lessons and teachers from all over the country are anxious to get into our schools in order to become familiar with our system and methods. have A letter addressed to Dr. Phillips from a principal of a thriving city in a neighbor- ing state who receives a good salary, who asks for position in our schools salary no object'-who says T am sure should enjoy working under your super vision am very much tempted to give you the letter, but must let reasons of policy and confidence deter me-
 Here Is another letter from another principal in one of the schools of Minne-s apolis, who urges as reason for want ing to come to Birmingham, by saying The idea prevails that Birmingham is the progressive city of the south | have another letter from the superintend- ent of schools of one of the eastern states. who asks for copy of our course of study. In fact am assured there is not a day that passes without some favor or request to be granted by our superin- tendent coming from teachers residing elsewhere.
 Yes, feel happy of this recognition" said MT. Ullman. Coupled with the fact that Birmtngham's school exhibit at Att 1anta Is likely to, be selected as being entitled to the first premium as against all other cities of the south, west and north. Our schools said MT. Ullman, "are above everything else the means to bring a desirable industrial population and the capital to build up our city and if ever there was time when patriotism and loyalty to our city Is demanded. now is that time. The perfect mainte- nance of our schools is its highest exprea- sion."
 "Mr Ullman there has been some talk that the schools will not be kept open for the usual timer"
 q am sure there is no req son for such rumor to prevail. The board of education is determined to keep open our schools am free to state that this far the O'Brien school bill. which gives us 20 cents on s100 is being met cheerfully and willingly by our peo- pie. They are paying the tax right along. Our attendance Is increasing daily and additional teachers are being placed wherever needed. Thus our people in sjst In having the best facilities to ed- ucate their children and it shall be the duty of the board of education to keep up our previous record.
 The laf1v managers of the Charity Hos