The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1902-10-17

The following proposed amendment to
the Constitution of Wisconsin was agreed
to by the legislatures of 1899 and 1901.
Chapter 208, laws of 1901, provides that
the amendment shall be submitted to a
vote of the people of the state at the
next general election, in November, 1902.
"PROVISIONS OF AMENDMENT. Section
/. The supervision of public instruc-
ton shall be vested in state superin-
tendent and such other officers as the
legislature shall direct; and their quail
tications, powers, duties, and compensa-
ton shall be prescribed by law. The
state superintendent shall be chosen by
the qualified electors Of the state at the
same time and in the same manner as
members of the supreme court. and shall
hold his office for four years from the
succeeding first Monday in July. The
state superintendent chosen at the gen
eral election ia November. 1902, shall
hold and continue in his office until the
first Monday in July, 1905, and his sue
cessor shall be chosen at the time Of the
judicial election in April, 1905. The term
of office, time and manner of electing or
appointing all other officers of supervis-
ion OF public instruction shall be fixed
by law
I The proper administration of the of
flee affects the interests of nearly half
million pupils ia the public schools. The
state superintendent comes into official
relations with more than 10000 school
officers and With the 1900 teachers of
the common schools He passes upon
the qualifications Of the 700 high school
teachers, and Of ttl~ $50 teachers in the
state graded schools. The proper dis
charge of his duties directly affects the
character of the work done in the schools
Of the state, for the maintenance of
which S7OO00CO are expended annually,
and in which nearly one-fourth of the
entire population of the state are receiv-
ing instruction for not less than seven
months each year.
1t il the only state office requiring
consecutive and organized work This
work must be carried on. continuously
and inteligently in order that the school
system may keep pace in Improvement
with changing conditions, and with the
necessities OF the people. The state
superintendent is called upon for infor-
nation and advice 10 all matters relating
to school legislation, and to the admins
tration of the school laws. His various
hublCS tuS lllo CAoSC obISioi lClo-
tons with people of all political opinions
and in matters which should be decided
without reference TO political bias.
OF all the offices in the state govern
ment, it is the one which should be en-.
tirely free FROM political influences Oh
bias. The proposed amendment aims to
take this office out Of politics by putting
the election in the spring, at the same
time the judges are elected.
The amendment provides that the
state superintendent shall enter upon
the duties of his Office at the opening oil
the school year. At the present time he
comes into office at the same time the
legislature convenes, with no experience
in the administration of the school laws
and as may we'll happen with little or nc
knowledge of the laws in existence, OIL
any ideas as to needed changes in thu
laws. He thus finds himself unable tt
give information and advice to members
of the legislature who may seek such in
formation or advice as to legislative mat
tiers pertaining to education.