Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-02

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ly to appreciate the advantages offered
them. The report of the state superin-
tendent shows that in some of our coun-
ties more, than half the population are
within the school age, whilst the general
average does not reach 10 per cent.
3. The abolition of arbitrary township
lines and the subdivision of school dis
tricts on the basis of attendance or
school population and prohibiting more
than one school for each race within an
area of nine square miles or nearer each
other than three miles.
1t seems to me that no sufficient reason
exists why the establishment of school
districts should be based upon acres
rather than children, and 1t should be
our policy not to dissipate the fund for
the district by multiplying the number
of schools, thus shortening the term of
ALL but to increase the number of pupils,
lengthen the term, and, II neces-
sary, multiply the number OF
teachers at schools established. 1t
seems that in our state where so
many townships have but few children
of the school age living in them that the
unit Of organization. should be the civil
precinct. These civil precincts have been
established for the convenience OF the peo-
pie in the matter of elections ana assess ass
ments and the proper subdivision OF our
judicial system, Their boundaries are
we'll known, the people accustomed to
meet for local purposes ana L am IN
clined to think that more efficient teach
ers and wiser supervisors OF schoois
could be had by this change.
4. Securing more capable and ethclent
county upeiintendents.
1t Is a reproach to our whole system
that men are frequently elected county
superintendent of education ana eA
pected to supervise the schools ana
promote the cause of education, VINO
could not themselves obtain license
to teach. a third-grade school, This
should not be possible, and advise your
action to prevent 1t. | also invite your
attention to the Recommendations con-
tanned in the advance sheets of the report
of tho superintendent of education,
whose experience, both In his office ana
as a teacher and county superintendent
of education, as well as his zeal IN the
cause, entitle them to your consideration.
CONsTITUTIONALC CONVENTION.
The duty is upon you to consider the
necessity for a new constitution for our
state. That the present constitution has
served it's purpose and now embarrasses
rather than promotes the opleGts IL
should subserve is manifest TO all MINK
ing men,. We should approach the con-
sideration of this question Invested or
all party spirit and with patriotic pur-
pose to consider only the good OF the
state and the prosperity and advance
ment of all its people. Various attempts
to secure amendments to our organic
law nave ueiiloils.1 ;t,,t;o, ,reyent
requirements oa tlle colls 'io' ~
any amendment. - .,,o ,ro,
1t Is esssntlal that sptlls % 'n is.o,,,th
bands that have prevented our CROWN
and DEVELOPMENT should be struck on.
The fear OF 1mpr9per 5estlic ~ au ~ sa
right OF suffrage snpuiu no. oe ro1iaf 10
longer to- stano IN tne way ~ 80 re
mandeu more stion5iy -; go of o,,r
public schools. and the extension OF tne
system, reforms IN our Juuicia, sy '1,tt
the preservation OF niunIoipai i, NV ~
and credit. the encouraseniell. VI .ia,I,I
grafton and manufactures, anu tne ileS AZ
sity for securing more equai avs u, u. 10,
tributing the purqehs OF 81. ~ ~ Oil
demand that we should take TINS Sup,
1t is also we'll known tnat iaISe a"u
fruitful section OF our STATE mas nao
constant menace 10 l,s GROWN aia 20
the security or lie anu PiopesS tna'