The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-28
Mr.. HARMoN's ADDRESS.
"The supsrintends mt and the TEACHER
An Able Discussion.

A FChoW lcdCucIcs idQlts anu BcHlic-
| men: We have met again. after a year
OF work and study, to enjoy recreation
| from the daily routine OF school work
| We have met not merely to renew
| friendships. to make acquaintance.
| and for pleasure, but to discuss sub
tects of Importance to all and thereby,
] we trust, increase our usefulness in the
| educational field.
One year ago was chosen to preside
over the deliberations of this body at
this time. i assure you I appreciate
the honor and thank you for your con-
fidence. I crave your indulgence. and
| hope that all our deliberations may be
| characterized by good will and fairness
and that lasting good will come to the
school children of this fair state as the
result.
I notice that. according to the pro-
gramme, this address Is open to dis
cussion for minutes. / trust that
every second OF the 80 minutes will be
occupied. for believe as much good.
IL not more, win come from the discus
| sion as from the address itself.
As strange as IL may seem in a coun-
try whose very foundation rests on the
exercise of religious freedom and the
/ right to general education, in coun-
try where s150,000.O0O are spent yearly
and 10000 teachers are employed in the
educational field. the Office of super.n-
tendent of schools is one of modern
creation. For generations before the
superintendent was thought Of. other
departments of the industrial field had
overseers, foremen, or superintendents.
No mill, or factory, or shop, was allow
ed to go on without some one being
held responsible for the work therein
done.
Two hundred and seventeen years af-
ter the landing of the Pilgrims the school
superintendent appeared. Buffalo, N.
Y. paved the way Other cities have
gradually taken up the idea until now
of the 430 cities of the United States
having a population of 5000 or more.
but 30 are without a superintendent.
| Philadelphia, in 1888, was the last of
the cities of note to take up with the
idea. With a school census of 1900
| with $500 teachers and with 500 schools,
Superintendent James McAlister, with
six associates, was given charge of the
schools During the years previous to
1888 evils crept into the Philadelphia
schools that time alone can efface.
| las the teacher is, so will the school
be-" Is an axiom. AS the superintend-
ent is, so will the system be. is just as
true. The character of the schools of
| a city reflect the character of the SUI
perintendent II he has charge a long
| time.
Those who have made a study of the
| educational history of this country
know that Phflbrick stamped distinct
| i've features on the schools of Boston;
Harris upon those of st. Louis; Jones
upon those of indianapolis: White upon
those of Cincinnati and Kickoff upon
those OF Cleveland. Superintendent
are generally appointed by boards of
education elected by the people. A
study OF the school systems OF some
cities has developed some interesting
and alarming features.
We find In some of them all the cum
| ming and the treachery of the ward
| politician. Candidates for the board of
1 az finu aalaCtad THAR abilitxy
to get votes and not for their fitness to
| discharge the duties of so important
an office as that of a member of the
| board OF education. What must be the
result? To the victor belongs the spoils.
| The tenure or office of teachers Is in
secure. This fact is known by our pol
| itician, here Is a good opportunity to
| pay political debts. Any one that has
| a certificate can teach school, why of
course. None now but those of my
| friends and those of my political faith
need apply. In one of the cities of our
| own state last spring one who had con-
| tributed somewhat to the success of
the winning candidate asked that he be
| appointed as clerk as compensation for
| his services. / was pleased to learn
| that his bill was not allowed
| Upon this board depends the selection
of superintendent and teachers. Should
not this board be one of dignity?
Should II not be one that would keep
the best interests OF the cnildren In
their schools in view?
The selection of superintendent is one
OF the most important duties OF the
board. He who is to have the over
sight of all the work. who is 20 arrange.
plan and outline, for those who are his
assistants, should be one whose quail
| fications command the respect of teach
ers and pupils. Upon him, in a great
measure. the board depends for its in
formation for the appointment of
teachers. Indeed. some boards merely
confirm the appointments made by the
superintendent.
While In the hands OF a competent
superintendent this may be the best
for the schools. IL Ii not always best
for the superintendent. In one of the
large cities OF the United States the su-
perintendent was given this power
Members were elected upon the board
from time to time who had election
debts to pay. They recommended
friends. but the superintendent. keep
ing constantly the interests of the chill
dren In the schools in view. appointed
only such as In his judgment were
qualified.
This superintendent was not reelected
as matter OF course. His successor
came from an insurance Office / am
told. and has every prospect of remain
ing as superintendent as long as he
likes.
Was the first superintendent incom-
petent or in what did he fail? / leave
you 20 draw your own conclusions. az
ter hearing the following resolutions
that were unanimously adopted by that
board, by rising vote: The board of
education desire to express to DR. EN-
| erson +. White. on the occasion OF his
| retiring from the Office of superintend-
| ent OF public schools its highest appre-
citation OF his eminent qualifications,
| and to extend to him its warmest
thanks for the great success he attain
/ ed. as well as for the unvarying dig
nifty, tact and courtesy. the fidelity,
zeal and strong sense OF duty constant
| ly displayed by him in the discharge of
the arduous and delicate duties OF his
| Office"
What is your conclusion? Alasl there
| are too many such cases. II a city has
a good superintendent. he can not do
his best work with such barriers