The age-herald., 1901-09-27
CriticiSeS Educational Features of It in a Teachers
 Journal
WILL ASK FOR AMENDMENT
This Is the Method By Which Edcua- tors Expect to Attain Their De- sires-MeaSure Not Bad
 as a Whole.

The Educational Exchange for Septem- | ber just out contains an editorial by pr. J. H. Phillips, superintendent of the pub | lie schools of Birmingham, on the pro- posed new constitution, which has aroused considerable discussion. The ar ticle in question is here reproduced: "The new state constitution was framed by a convention that had its hands securely tied In advance. It was wrought out under difficulties; 1t is compromise that has some clements of strength, some of weakness. As a whole 1t falls below the tidemark of Alabama's moral and economical sentiment. The people are better than the constitution.
 "The attitude of the state towards the general education of all the people is the chief test of our civilization. In the light of the constitution where do we stand? Will Alabama, under the new constitu- ton, rank with the average of her sister states in her appreciation and encour- agement of universal education? The cherished hopes of thousands in Alabama for local taxation for schools must wait. Local initiative, local self-help. communi-
 
 things are not yet to be. The people at home have no business to be progressive. The foremost and most progressive edu- cational community in Alabama is secure ly tied to the hindmost. The rate of ed- ucational progress Is fixed by the slowest. It is the same old story of the dog with his tail in his mouth.
 May Secure by Amendment.
 "The ardent friends of local taxation are not entirely discouraged. What they have failed to obtain in the convention they hope soon to secure by amendment. They will organize at once with that end in view. With new suffrage basis it is believed that the people will grant what the convention has refused. Faith in the people is the gospel of education, the basis of an enduring democracy.
 "The restriction of educational progress by withholding the power of local taxa tion will prove a serious injury to the State. Within It's borders the results must in time become m anifest to all who love progress and moral improvement. Without the borders of the Staee the new educational article Is not calculated to Inspire much confidence or hope. The era of real educational progress in Ala bama will date from the adoption of local taxation for public schools. fi9aE Chairman Graham of the committee on education deserved the thanks of the friends of education throughout the State for his ardent efforts to secure more liberal provisions for education. He was handicapped from the start, however, and the fight for local taxa ton was soon seen to be hopeless. Such a stalwart champion as he will never desert the cause he has espoused, and will live to fight another day.
 May Not Remedy a Defect.
 "It Is questionable whether the new constitution will remedy a single defect in our State school system; it Is doubtful if the general status of education will be improved. One thing is certain--no provision has been made for future growth and development Granted that it brings the educational provisions of the organic law up to present require ments, there seems to have been sort of feeling that whatever is and has been is still to be- and moral and educational progress in Alabama are not to unduly encouraged, whatever the people may want It is the general belief among teachers that the article on education Is the most unsatisfactory m the entire in strument and that 1t is the least credita ble to the convention and to the State."
 He Favors Ratification.
 A reporter for The Age-heralu called on Dr. Phillips and asked him if he had anything to say in explanation of his article and if he meant to vote for ratifi- cation. In reply to these questions, Dr. Phillips said
 My editorial remarks in the Educa- tional Exchange have reference only to the educational feature of the new Constitution. The criticism is a candid expression of the views I have enter tained for the past fifteen years.
 There is nothing in my article, how ever, to justify the inference that I am opposed to the ratification of the Con- favor the ratification of the instrument, and the October Exchange will contain an editorial advising the teachers of the State to aid in its ratification.
 'The purpose of the editorial was to call special attention to the inadequacy of the educational article. and to urge the necessity of amendment at the ear Hest possible opportunity In my article I state this point clearly. and indicate the feasibility of early amendment with the new suffrage basis.
 ''I regard the educational article the weakest part of the Constitution, but that is not sufficient reason for the de- feat of the entire instrument. There are elements of strength to commend it, and