Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-03-24

he audited by the sub district commits
6ioners. Another safeguard is thus
thrown about the plan.
The bill na it stands, leaves tho ON
ploymeut of all the teachers in the
hands Of the committee; but an amond-
ment in preparation changes this so
that zach sub district commissioner
einpluye tho teacher for his sub-dia-
trict, subject to the approval OF the
committee. This ia intended to obviate
the not unprecedented case Of employ
ing poor teachers to save money although
sufficient means was actually on hand.
Tho other powers and duties are
mainly those OF formal description,
bringing suits and the like.
This is, in very brief, the foundation
plan OF the nav bill. 1t Is based upon
the accepted doctrins-that the educa-
tion of the meanest child In the re-
hottest district is matter OF interest
and concern to syery citizen Of the State,
and, in particular, to the State itaelf
1t makes common cause among a
common people.
The most insidious argument against
this plan OF the bill is-it destroys the
ancient and long established local
government.
| tNu HubWtTh ~ lHlb HIRllb Db buu-
mitted first, o careful rending of the
bill will discover that the material
rights of local government are still left
with each distTict under the name OF O
sub district; second, that the new dis.
trict presented in the Representative
district can scarcely be thought to he
no large as not to be local In every In
tendment of that word. 1t ia sub
mittad, moreover, that school diftricts
and school goyernmsnta were not created
to confer rights upon the voters and
OitizenH, but for the peculiar and ex-
elusive benefit Of the boys and girls,
the future bono and sinew of tho State.
II local rights Interfere with mutually
| in ain ard assistance among noar neigh
bOrs IL cpmeH to look dangerously like
local selfishness 1t may also he asked
why such ultra localism ia not mecca.
sary in political divisions?
Wy the plan of tho bill, it ia hoped
that the future nhy bring system of
graded schools in many OF the rural dis
tricts, and many another desideratun.
The plan also solves the colored
ncboo problem presented under the
provisions OF the new Constitution.
That instrument requires the new
schoul fund to lie equitably apportionsd
among the school districts, without dis
elimination on account of color.
The colorud Hchouls are not now dis
tricted at ALL The Constitution makes
it necessary. The experience Of the
past, upborne by the better element OF
the race now among us, exhibits the
dangers OF giving them Independent
school government. The bill works @
solution by making colored schools sub
diatricts of the Representative district.
A colored sub-district commissiDner
gives them all necessary rights OF self
government. hut he Ia checked IN Hbuse
or neglect by the committee or commits
sion. .-.
The plan OF larger school district rs
mot a new one; it has been adopted,
tried. tested and approved in all the
progressive States OF the Uninn.
The bill proposes to give the clerk oil
the committee 500 per year, and the
two other members of the committee a
certain per diem for limited number
of days. An amendment ia in prepare
tion cutting all these sums in halves.
Section 3 OF the bill hogins with the
County Board or Commission. 1t takes
the place formerly occupied by Legisla
lures und Levy Courts in the transfers
to and from school districts. Ii is 9
sanitary commission for schools and
schonlhouses. Ii is the repository fol
objections, complaints. approvals anG
reports concerning all s,hool matters il
the county of it's jurisdiction. 1t CANNOT
aettle or determine these, but it reporti
, them oil 10 the State Board through iti
senior member who is member OK
olficio OF the State Board. The Statt
Board thus has the benefit Of havinl
one man from each county specially
: cognizant OF the school matters in hi
; county. 1t is composed of three mem
bers, who are appointed by the Governor
and hold for three years after the hrs
, set Of appointments. One momher goa
out each year. 1t must be non partisan
The members are paid a, per diem fol
limited number Of days.
, Tho State Board of Education is thi
sovereign head of the school govern
ment. AS long as it appears an i'm
! possibility to SECURE State superin
! tendent for orr Commonwealth, just 81
t long must and should the State BoarC
he a body of effective powers. A
9 present, under the existing law, it
Y powers are in nubibus, or 10 gremi,
legis. The now bill makes the hoart
composed of the Chancellor and preBi
F., deLt OF Delaware Colleges. These mus
8 be continuing members and hence give
8 certuin amount of stability to th
Q board. Then there are the Guvarnor
+. the auditor 1.-THE latter since he mus
l OF necessity settle the accounts of tn
school districts and therefore must b.
= the recipient of csrtain class of re
u ports, an acquaintance with whicl
y would be helpful tn the work of tb
: boHrd), anu the senior mombur of eacl
i Of the county boards.
The board elects the county superin
9 tendepts. Without this power. tn
y board could have but little authorit
q over superintendent. This must
q almost of necessity, take away from til
o position vi the superintendent any ting
Il of politics. 1t has, in fine. final iuria
diction and summary power 10 all sohoo
o matters net affecting, however, the loca
It government Of the Districts II meet
J. quarterly. instead of annually as a
J present. and limited per diem
u allowed its members.
l. This gives an outline of the genera
i plan OF the bill. There are many change
4 in our existing school laws, but the
,. are moru in the nature of details. Flo
u eXampIe, questions concerning GU
J. State Constitution, and the Fedora
70 Constitution are required; the pro
J. vision concerning the instruction G
T; pupils rs to effects on the humRr con
u stitution OF alcoholics is made operH
j. tive; thu tenchers in incorporate
70 schools are made subject TO sxamina
u tim; the examinations are to be mad
,, AZ far as possible uniform throughou
u this State; teachers are required to ia