The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-08
SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Suggestion that 1t Be Left to the Teachers
Assembly.

A Suggestion that 1t Be Left to the Teachers
Assembly
To the Editor: Much has been written
recently in the interests of various per-
sons for the position of Superintendent of
Public instruction. This is written in the
interest Of the children of North Caro-
lima.
In an item that is going the rounds, it
is stated that since the United States
has taken charge Of Porto Rico that $4,-
100000, is being spent annually on the
island in the interest of education; en-
ploying two thousand teachers and having
an attendance of eighty thousand pupils
II half this sum is spent for buildings
apparatus and officers salaries, it still
leaves 81 600 per annum, per teacher. Con,
trast this with the average salary paid
a teacher in North Carolina and you will
see the difference i'll the efforts that are
being put forth to educate the children
the island that our country has father
ed and the children in our own native
State. One is fostered by the United
States Government, the other by our
State Government.
Let us ask ourselves the question: What
will be the status of the two countries
fifty years from now? then ask: Are we
doing cur duty in this particular toward
the children Of North Carolina-our own
children? The answer should put us to
thinking. This is a serious question and
its proper answer may mean much to
North Carolina and cause us to consider
well the subject of this article.
The office of Superintendent of Public
Instruction is Of more Importance to the
youth OF cur State and through them to
us. than any office that will be filled at
Vie coming election and should have care
full consideration frcm the best and most
practical thinkers in the State.
| A majority of the children are depen-
dent upon the public schools for their
| education and as the Superintendent or
| Public instruction is at the head OF the
public school system, his influence will be
| felt in every public school in the State,
which brings him in touch with our chill
dren; therefore the necessity of having
| the most practical up-to-date man possi-
| bic for the place should be apparent
to every Cne interested in the education
| OF the masses. He should be a man who
would put his best etfOrts-his life into
! the work One who realizes it's import
ance and magnitude and has the eXecu-
tive ability to put his plans into operation.
A man who can lcok into the future and
| see the possibilities of the now unpolish-
| ed minds of the boys and girls of North
| Carolina, and who can unfold to them the
beauties and possibilities Of an education
| and kindle in their breasts a desire for
and determination to possess one.
The last legislature recognized the val
/ HI
result offered us the amendment, that we
may place cur State government in the
hands of an educated people. They real
| lied that North Carolina's position among
the States of the Union will be determin-
Cd by the education of her citizens, hence
| the necessity of placing a premium--the
! right Of suffrage-as an incentive for our
people TO elevate themselves in this par
| ticular.
If education is of as much Importance
as this. we should be exceedingly careful
| in selecting the head of that department.
WHO is best qualified to make this selec
tion with an eye single to the best inter-
ests of the children of North Carolina?
| Surely net purely political convention;
| but rather a body in which the best meth
DDS Of educating the people are studied
| and taught instead of politics Then leave
! this selection to the Teachers Assembly
ard let them name the man for Superin-
| tendent of Public instruction at their
! meeting In June. No harm can come TO
| the ticket on account of this place being
| left open until then. This would be
| graceful act on the part of the State
| convention, tribute to the teachers and
a just recognition Of their qualification in
| asking them to name the man to fill this
| important place. Their familiarity with
| the methods and wcrk of the educators or
| the State, especially fit them for making
| the selection, as all will admit that he
| should come from their ranks The man
! who would be unwilling to take his
| chances before the Teachers Assembly
! for Superintendent of Public Instruction
! may think more of getting the office than
| he does Of the children of the State. We
need no such man as that to direct our
| public schools. That the teachers would
! make the selection with a view only
| to fitness and qualification goes without
| saying; for there are no more loyal peo-
| pie TO the best interests Of the State
! than those who are engaged in educa-
| tional work. If thought desirable the
! State convention could restrict the selec
tion to the men Of the Teachers Assem-
| bly, who are ACTIVELY engaged in edu-
| cational work in the State. In this way the
| Office can be lifted out of and above parti-
san politics and the Democratic party
take another advance step in the cause
! Of education and in the interest Of the
half million children who are dependent
on the public schools for their education.
T. B. PARKER
Hillsboro. \. c.. April 6.
At the age of 81 man has more
; ideals than ideas.