Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-30
now 10 uELR TIE SCHOLARS,
south Dakota TcHchcrs' Association
BrinE Mcn Enlertnimch.


VERMILLTON, S. D., Dec. 29.-(Special)
The first session of the State Teachers as
ISOLATION, which is convened in this city.
was held last evening in University hall.
The evenings program was commenced by
piano solo by Prof. Il. a. Balaseyus, di-
-TaTf6F>os. the college of music of the State
university. state Superintendent Crane was
introduced by President w. W. Girten of
Madison. He deliyered-an address 10 the
county superintendent OF the Slate' lie
said: -
The county superintendents of the state
of South Dakota are charged with the Su-
pervision of $4,000 children, who are being
educated at public expense in the free
schools of our state. These superintendents
have for their working force nearly ij.OOO
teachers and more than l2,OOO district Off
GERS and members OF boards of education.
To maintain these schools there was eX-
pended for the fiscal year ending July l..
1896, nearly $l,51)O)0. This amount does not
include the salary of the superntendents.
The county superintendent must largely di-
rect and supervise the books ana accounts
made necessary by the expenditure Of so
large AN amount He Is also under the law
an appellate court to hear, try and deter
mine all appeals from the decision of the
district boards; in the location, building, re-
pairing or removal of school houses; in the
transfer of pupils for school purposes and
in the resignation and dismissal Of teach
crs his decision is final and from such de-
CIsions there is no appeal
Without Competent teachers no su9ern-
te4deut can succeed in raising the stand
ard of schools In his county. II should
therefore be the aim OF each superintendent
10 encourage the prog rcssive, painataking
teacher and to discourage the nonprO-
gressvc The law providing that no per
son can BE- elected or appointed TO the oiiiCe
of county superintendent unless he Aclls
at least q first t-Erade certificate from the
county should be so amended as TO re-
quire him TO hold such certificate at least
one year prior to such election or appoint
mont.
With tho great body of teachers in our
rural schools, ana with n not inconsider-
able number of those In our city schools,
the only special preparation for their
work Is that gained through the agency
of the county institute. This the part of
our educational system that we abuse.
The organization and the administration
of the county. superintendent lie is Sc
lcCted by popular vote, so there Is danger
structors for his teacicrS from among
teachers in his own county.
one of the most lmpor tant official acts
of county superintendent Is the correct
preparation and proper transmittal of the
annual report of his county During the
fiscal year ending June 80 1896 the amount
Of money raised for school purposes in
the state was 81 6SSi3|.8 OF this amount
:3 95 10 was g. that TS INCLUDED in the
paid out for the support OF schools was
me state department desires the closest
and most amcable relations between the
county and state. The superintendent
hlpllN llt DtINblIllS acquainted win bach
county superintendent. In order TO do this
Il sufficient clerical force should be em-
ployGd 1t the office at the capitol so that
the head Of the department is not con-
stnntly employed with the detail work of
tho office.
Tho graduation of our rural schools IL
Al source OF pride TO the cduca tors of the
state, but our graduation Is not yet COM
revised and rearranged The State univer-
slty should be plHcn an appropriation and
authority sufficient to arrange the course