The age-herald., 1900-11-30
E optY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ALABAMA
Alabama Public Schools.

his first term of office. He thus describes the results of two years unceasing labors: ''Within that time difficulties have been overcome hope has taken the place of dis couragement indifference among the peo- ple has vanished The amount of funds available for common school purposes has been increased more than 50 per cent; the qualifications of teachers have been raised; incompetent teachers have been eliminated; ]; county supervision las been improved; township trustees have been more atten- tive; school houses have been made better; a demand for a qualified county superin- tendency has been created; the school en- rollment has been largely increased; teach CTS institutes have been held more regu- larly; and a spirit of educational progress Hveness has been aroused among the peo ple The outlook is more encouraging. The State is now appropriating to the schools at least s1,OOO,OOO year-a magnifi- cent sum. m as large the State can ,..apIy be expected to vote.
 But still 1t is not sufficient; it is not enough to maintain a system of schools adapted to the needs of over 6OO,OO0 chill dren in the State. Superintendent Aber crombie shows that i've should do-what other states have done-what we must do if we would properly qualify our people for citizenship, namely, give to counties, townships districts, and municipalities the power of taxation for educational purposes. If the people of any county, township, dis trict, city, or town desire to levy tax upon their property to build a school house, or to supplement the State fund, for the purpose of educating their children. they should have the right and power to do it. Pecrle should have the right to do as they please with their own. Otherwise, this is not government of for, and by the peo- ple.
 The right of local self-government is principle for which the Southern people, and especially the people of Alabama. have always contended. And yet in the matter of providing for the education of our boys and girls, it is a right which the funda- mentol law of the State denies to us. This constitutional inhibition is not sanctioned by the American idea of free government is antagonistic to the long established principles of justice, is a standing bar Tier to complete and permanent educational growth, and, in my humble opinion, is. not endorsed by the intelligent observant, pat Tiotic men and women of America.
 "There should be no limit, constitutional or statutory general or local, to the pow of people of fitting the children of the State for intelligent and patriotic citizen ship-for success in the performance of life's everyday duties.'
 MT. Abercrombie is equally positive and equally sound and correct when he dis cusses the county superntendents. He shows that the best results are impossible without competent supervision. When a man." he asks, "is wanted to supervise a system of schools. why not choose an ex- perienced educator? If the people will not do this voluntarily, why not require them by law to do it? The trouble is, that in the excitement of political contests, we overlook the question of qualification. The office of school superintendent should be removed as far as possible from politics. So long as men are elected to this position who know nothing of school management, who could not secure a license of the low est grade even, just so long will We have inefficient supervision. Of course there may be an exception here and there, but, as a rule, the proposition is a correct one. Under the present law, the county super intendent is but disturbing officer. Many do but little, if any, real supervisory work And, indeed, they are not altogether to blame. The incomes which they receive are in most instances but mere pittances. We can never have such supervision as the schools need till we pay better salaries It is absolutely impossible for county super intendents to live on the commissions they receive. With a few exceptions, their sal aries should be doubled, and more than doubled. The county superintendent should be required to devote his entire time to the supervision of the schools of his coun- ty, and should be paid salary sufficiently large 10 justify him in doing so."
 One more quotation from this admiral re- port shall suffice. "It has been my policy says Mir. Abercrombie, ito encourage the establishment of free schools rather than pay schools. In many townships this policy has been tried. The result is that a great CT number Of children have received the benefits of education.> The free school idea and the pay school system are diametrical- ly opposed to each other SThey can not exist together The school is either a free school or it is a pay school.
 "In many communities it is the custom for teachers to charge a tuition fee and credit each patron with his prorata of the public funds. Many people who are unwill- ins or unable to pay the fee keep their cass