The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-16
NoN-poLIrIcAL EDUcArrox.

are maintained by a tax on all, regard
less of religious beliefs and disbelefs, it
is proper that the tenets of religious
faith be left to the church in its proper
sphere and to the influence of the home
In this freeing of the public schools from
all organized and opposing influences,
politics has been tabooed as well as re-
ligion. 1t can DE truthfuly said that pol
itics. in the sense of partyism, is neither
fCstered nor countenanced in the public
schools. While the public system of in
struction is thus theoretically free from
politics the management is practically un-
der local political control. From the
country school teacher to the city super
intendent, he who would hod his job
must watch the weather vane Of local
politics.
Nearly every community possesses two
factions, the ms and the outs. The bust
ness of the outs is to get in, and the
business of the ms is to stay in. To the
accomplishment of these important ends
the energy of the community is devoted.
1t would be strange, in this condition of
affairs, if one Of the most fruitful means
OF reward and punishment, the public
schools, should be overlooked by the fac
tional schemers
In cities where the school commission
ers are appointed by the mayor, the ap-
pointments, though supposed to be nom
partisan, are given for services either
performed or anticipated. In cities where
the commissioners are elected, the ordi-
nary rule of political procedure is fol-
lowed. ''To the victors belong the spoils,"
is the 5ccep pied principle of reward for
political assistance. Merit has some in
fluencc but it is Of no avail in competi-
ton with the push. In the eyes of the
public, the best politician is the best edu-
GATOR. Why? Because he takes the pains
TO pull the wires so as to reduce the ordi-
nary friction of his machine to the mini
mum.
To such an extent has local politics
Permeated the school system of this state
that it has been deemed necessary to
take from the county superintendent the
power of determining the qualifications
bf applications for licenses to teach. These
superintendent, elected by the people.
are often totally incompetent and always
under obligations to those who helped
to elect them to office. 1t is natural to
want TO return favor So when SUP
porter of Mr.. Smith, the newly elected
county superintendent, insists that his
sister MGude is competent to teach In
the country schools, and demands for her
certificate of qualifications from the
superintendent, she usually gets It. To
relieve the superintendent from this en-
bawassing position, it has been deemed
wise to have all papers from county ex-
aminations sent to the state superintend-
ent and passed upon by persons selected
by him. At the present time some 200
persons are in the city reading and grad
ing the papers submitted by would-be
teachers over the entire state. While
this scheme eliminates one political fac
tor from the pror-em, it is by no means
free from serious objections. The per
sonaiity of the applicant cannot be taken
into consideration in connection with the
papers submitted. Often the writer of a
poor set of examination papers is much
to be preferred. as a teacher of orr
youth. to another who presents an al
most faultless set of papers tt is a posi-
tive sin against children to allow some
people to appear before them in the ca
pacity of teacher. Children are initiative
and the personal habits and uncouth
manners Of some teachers is a positive
detriment to the pupils Book learning
can never overcome some of natures
handicaps. This castiron method of
teachers examinations has always been
and always will be farce. No man nor
set of men can determine by submitting
set Of questions whether or not person
is capable Of earning salary as a
teacher
The dress, the manner. the voice the
language, may assist good judge Of
human nature In estimating the prob
eADi1iNiSS o. success Wlen he has deter
mined that the applicant is reasonably
Intelligent and ambitious to do. Nothing
but actual experience will determine the
ultimate qualifications to teach.
The school authorities under the nrAs-
sure of political consideration are
through q mistaken system of economy
driving the best talent from the profess
sion of teaching. An educational genius
can get no more for his labor than a
callow novice trying TO earn little
money while he waits for the turn of
fortunes wh,el.
To rdno." to some extent the country
schools lrola the influence OF local politics
ard the gangrtne Of incempctency, the
county S"rerintendents Should not be
elected lat employed or thcir merits, as
are the srpsrinteneeats % city schools,