Mexico Missouri message., 1901-02-28
County Supervision.
EDITOR MESSAGE:-

draws near and the people desire
to inform themselves thOroly on
the subject | wish to add few
points and summarize what has
been said.
|. Counties of this State may,
at their option, elect Il county SUI
pcrintendent of schools. Beside
other duties, he would have to per-
form those now resting upon the
county commissioner. (Scc laws
published this week.
,. In this county he would re-
ccivc a salary of 5000 per annum,
raised from taxation, beside, per-
haps, 800 from other sources.
Each taxpayer will pay nearly I
cents more on each $1,000 valua-
ton.
3. His jurisdiction would not
extend over the Mexico schools:
but in an indirect way they would
receive much benefit. The work
of the country schools would be
harmoni2ed with that of the high
school of Mexico as well as with
the other high schools of the cOun-
ty. Ask those directly connected
with this work of the advantages
in this correlation. Mexico cheer
fully pays $500 Il year for SUI
perintendent, then why not the
country schools, numbering
nearly 100, have Il 5000 supervis-
or!
/. We have an able man at the
head of our State Schools, Pro
w. 7. Darlington. He can have
no possible selfish interest in this
matter and yet he volunteers to
say, II have recently visited POO
rural schools aud | unhesitatinglv
declare that the schools in coun-
ties having supervision are 30 per
cent better than in other counties
visited" Also notice what our
former Representative, James Brad
ley says. Coming from such high
authority should not these state
ments have some weight with the
voters who endeavor to secure the
greatest good to the greatest num-
Der!
). The change would not in
trrfere with the duties of directors
of rural schools. They could still
decide what studies should be
taught in their respective schools,
but the superintendent would pro-
vide for examination and grada
ton in that work.
6. Nine counties of Missouri
are under county supervision and
not one has discarded it. Would
this be the case if the law were
detrimental to the best interests of
the people! Some of these coun-
ties have had several years expert
cnce under the law.
I. What is the position of ev-
cry progressive, up-tO-date teach
er on this question! ! have heard
of one man 5 saying that he wish
ed he had 1000 votes to east
against it, for he had taught UNI
der Il superintendent in this State
and the superintendent visited him
only once and spent only one hour
then. Now it seems to me that
this teacher should feel highly
complimented in that fact. He
did not need supervising. But
the fact is that this gentleman
quit teaching nearly 20 years ago,
and 10 years before the present
law on the subject was enacted. |
believe that we should have credit
for some progress in that time.
Certainly we have remedied some
of the defects of the old law.
s. The charge that incompetent,
unsatisfactory persons might Sc
cure the place and thereby injure
the work of the schools is fully
guarded against in the provision |
which says the County Court shall
order warrants for the payment of |
his salary eff satisfied he has faith
fully performed the duties of his |
Office
Our County Court is composed |
of the best men of the county. |
Complaints would soon reach |
their ears and cut short the Yin
competent's' career.
Resp. j. n. Cross. |
Administrators Notice.