The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-11-30
FOR EDUCATION
OF THE MASSES
Interesting Discussions in the LoslSla-
ture Yesterday.
WAS LITTLE OPPOSITION
To ANY Of the Bills Save That Relat-
Ing TO Superintendent.
THE POLICE COMMISSION MATTER
Still Hangs Fire, and Determined Eff
fort Will be Made to Pass the
Huey Bill Through the
Upper House.

Montgomery. November 29.-(SpeciaL)-
The feature of today's session of the as
sembly the discussion of the eduCa-
tional bills in the senate
The bills which had been made special
order for today were prepared by the Ala
bama Educational association. There was
very little opposition 10 any of the bills
save the one which sought to prescribe
qualifications for county superintendent.
This bill, it was charged, would legislate
cut of office half of the present county su-
per.ntendents This was one of the most OBJ
tionable features, and it was defeated. The
bills passed were senate 81, providing for
county board of examiners of teachers in
each county, which is to consist of three
members, the county superintendent and
two others appointed by him. The term of
{ flee of such members is fixed at two
years. one to be appointed each year.
Their pay is fixed at So per day, to be PAID
out of the fees for examination of teach
ers, and the boara Fan sit but three days
annually. There was but little opposition
to this bill.
Senate bill 81, establishing state board
of education was strongly opposed, but the
opposition was not sufficient to defeat the
measure. This bill provides that the state
board shall consist of five members and
the state superintendent ex-oificio. The
associate members are to be appointed by
the superintendent; one from a chartered
institution of learning, one from a pubic
school III a municipal school district. one
from public school in county school DIS
trict, one from a state normal and one
term of office is fixed at four years, and as
salary they shall receive the same mileage
and per diem paid member of the gem
eral assembly. This board is to pass upon
the examination papers of each applicant,
and certificate is to be granted until
fee of one dollar is paid. The topics of ex-
animation shall be determined by the state
board, but the minimum requirements
shall not be less than that now fixed by
law. Changes may be made by giving SIX
months notice The state board shall out
line work OF county Institutes.
Important Section
The most important section of this bill is
that which requires that the state board
SHAH provide and the superintendent en-
force a uniform course OF study for the
public schools of elementary education,
SIdulluS llullCipdl anu SpeCloi SSiiOOi o'S-
rrlcts the privilege to add to the same.
They may also recommend courses of study
for state institutions of higher education
SO that education in the state shall be
uniform, harmonious, articulated and con-
tinuous process.
Senate bill 3d. separating the public
school money from the other monies of the
state, was passed informally, to await the
action of the finance committee
Senate bill "a, determining the public
school organization of the state, was pass
ed with but little discussion. The bill pro-
vides that the units of public SHOOT organi-
cation of the state shall be municipal
school districts, special school districts and
county school districts.
Municipal school districts shall embrace
the public school, or schools, of cities, or
towns, as now, or hereafter, established by
charter.
Special school districts shall embrace the
public school, or schools. of special school
districts, as now. established by the general
assembly.
County school districts shall embrace the
public schools of the county exclusive of
municipal and special school districts; or
inclusive of municipal or special school dis
tricts where such organization now exists,
or where by vote of the citizens affected
such organization may hereafter be made
The county districts are to be as now
located by law, provided no two schools
for one race shall be less than three miles
apart, unless the daily average attendance
of each school shall exceed thirty-five. The
approximate from which patronage of any
approximate distance from which patronage
of any school for one race may be drawn
shall be not less than nine square miles,
No school once located shall be moved
without a two-thirds majority vote of the
patrons.
Senator Cunningham's convict bill was
favorably reported to the house today. The
bill had one amendment added in commit
tee, which provides that so per cent. of the
county profits shall go to the school fund,
instead of the fine and forfeiture fund.
This amendment would probably give the
school fund $4,000 annually.