El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-07-25


MIKE BRANNIGAN, the last remnant
of aristocracy, has departed, and he Is
sorely missed. Is there one among Us
that can slap millionaires on the back
and call them by their pet names?
Efficiency In School Management.
Providence Journal.
One of the speakers at the National
Educational Association conference
was optimistic enough to recognize in
the public school troubles of SO many
of our large cities newly reused mu-
nicipal Conscience There are educR-
tors who may be inclined to take less
hopeful view of these troubles. That
the problems of school administration
are forcing themselves into prominence
in all parts of the country and demand
ing attention both from political and
financial and also from educational
points of consideration, even casual
readers of newspapers are we'll aware.
Here in Providence the difficulties re-
late more particularly to the
Importance of reduction in cost
of the schools, but these in
volve pairing of the curriculum,
changes in management and more gen.
eral matters similar to those that are
confronting the persons entrusted with
the control of public schools in other
cities. New York. Chicago, Philadel-
phia, ST. Louis, Baltimore, Buffalo,
San Francisco, Milwaukee, Detroit and
Toledo are q few of the other large
cities in which various phases OF school
administration have been subjects OF
discussion aad contention during the
last school year. If "newly reused
municipal conscience SIS indeed at work
in all of these cities, the outcome may
be awaited with hopefulness by those
whose pride in the American public
school system is deep-rooted and still
firm.
DR.. Nicholas Murray Butler of Col
umbia university said to the conference,
"Tne Taxpayers curiosity as to how
his money is spent re-enforces the
school reformer's demand that it be
spent solely for the wisest training OF
thecity's children" While the inter-
est of the taxpayer in the school Is not
always as constant as it might be,
there is much truth in DR.. Buffers
the various discussions upon the school
question is, after all is said to the
contrary, the demand for efficiency.
"Whena democracy earnestly demands
efficiency in its servants" says Or.
Butler, sit has outgrown the swadling
clothes of theory and is coming to years
of discretion" II difficulties in school
boards are revealing that we have ar
rived at 'years of discretion" and that
roused." there is rift in the clouds OF
ooscurity and intricacy and doubt that
hang over the solution of school
problems.
One extract from the same speaker g
address, outlining what he believes to
be the best type of school committee
man, deserves wide notice and much
respect. Referring to an experiment
in San Francisco, DR.. Butler said:
There is no excuse for a paid school board
in an American city Such q board can only
be given work enough to occupy 1t by strip
ping the superintendent. the supervisors, the
principals and the business officers of the
school system Of their just powers and re-
sponsibilities. The ideal member Of a school
board is the representative professional
man or man Of affairs. who understands land
reflects public sentiment, who is accustomed
to act promptly On matters of large concern
and with a broad outlook, and who will bring
to problems of school policy and to the con-
of the recommendations Of the
professional officers of the board. mature,
we'll balanced Judgment and unbiased
care for the highest public interest. Such
men will not serve for pay. nor will they
nor should they-give all their time to the
business of the schools
Lucky is that city which has as mem
bers of its school board many mer like
this. Most cities are able to have the
services of few such men from time
to time. but they encounter so many
tasks that they often
grow weary of their well-doing and re-
tire. Men of this stamp naturally dis
i've 10 n oI xar.ir tha
deliberations of associates whose fond
ness for membership on the school
board takes no more lofty form than a
desire to participate in the granting of
contracts or in the engaging of teach
ers, janitors or other employees. AS the
public conscience becomes aroused,
protest against merely political mem
bers of school boards will grow strong
err and stronger. The places of these
with professional men or those who
have specially studied educational pro-
blems. Such are likely to be
the victims of well-developed
whims or "methods.' There will al
ways be places upon the school COM
nittees of our cities for philosophical
professional men and there will also be
places for men OF affairs whose motives
IN accepting the Office are to dignity
and enrich the public school sytem, to
keep politics out and to keep common
sense in, to render good account of
every dollar spent, to leave the selec-
lion of teachers and the employment of
to trained supervisors and to
day in and day out the ire
nendous influence of good teaching |
lpon the minds of the young. And our |
public schools are becoming more or
ess efficient in proportion to the rise |
Ind fall of such standards. Efficiently |
managed schools imply that the city or
own blessed with such institutions is
ortunate enough to enlist the services
If high grade school committeeman.