Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-19
NO RELIGIOUS TEST

The prospects are excellent for the
MAINTENANCE and progress Of the DIS
triet schools OF this city The confidence
EXPRESSED by the large majority OF votes
AZ the election Of last Tuesday In the
present Board Of Education. enables
that body to obtain the necessary tunus
FOR finishing the school year. without
incurrlug any debt FOR interest on Dor
rowAd money. Some doubts have been
EXPRESSED as to the possibility Of max
Ing loan without having to pay in
terest on It. But the cash being now In
sight the Board win simply take an
oyerdraft on the bank where its assets
are deposited, and there will be no DIM
Guilty In the way.
The expenses Of the present school
year and those Of the ensuing year for
obvious reasons win be somewhat
greater than in the past. The number
Of pupils Is and will be larger; the value
Of teachers services becomes great
or with their extended experience and
development Of ability; and Increased
facilities mean further cost However,
these expenditures can be limited 10
the power TO meet them, and wise econ
omy, which does not mean parslmony'
will have to be observed In the man
agement Of school affairs.
The selection Of superintendent VIII
soon be one Of the duties OF the Board.
The fame OF our city school system has
gone abroad, and already there are APP
plicallons for the position from prin-
cipals in eastern States. OF course we
want a competent official. one who VIII
understand the educational situation
here, aud who can keep up the schools
to the present high standard, with adj
nncement according to means and OPP
portuntles. But Is there any necessity
to 20 outside OF this State for a man
qualified for this task? We do not be-
lleye that there Is.
There ought 70 be no religious test IN
the choice OF a superintendent oil
schools. Those who have OBLIGATED
heretofore in this position, have not
been objected to by the majority be-
cause they were not Of the dominant
faith. They have filed the place with
credit to themselves and benefit to the
cause Of education. There ought to be
no opposition, then, to any person who
Is Of the prevailing religious belief, pro-
yIding he is in every respect qualified
for the post. Fitness and ability are the
proper tests to be applied. In their abb
sence candidates should not be consld-
cred, no matter what may be their re-
ligious status,
We have no one to suggest for this
important position We speak on gem
eral principles. We think there has
been too little regard for home talent
In the past, We do not want this
pressed unduly In the future. But we
are opposed TO importations Of any kind
when they are unnecessary. II the right
man can be found among our Utah pre-
ceptors, we think he should have the
preference over outside applicants. II
no such person can be found in Utah.
by all means let US secure the neces-
sary talent from abroad.
The Board Of Education will, no
doubt, be on the look out for a superin-
tendent, though immediate action is not
required, The incumbent goes from our
city with the good VIII of the people
whom he has efficiently served, and
with their regrets at his departure, His
place should be filed by one who can
take up and carry on the work inaugu-
rated, and the question OF his creed
should not be raised. Let him be Nor
mon or Gentle" Catholic or Protest
ant, Hebrew or Christian, It will not
so long as he is fully competent
for the place. But all other things be-
Ing equal, a bona fide resident Of Utah
should ho nrafarrad