The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1904-02-20

its teacher-and teacher ought NOT
to be better than his superintendent
the superintendent should be chosen
from among the best men to be had.
And he should then be paid enough
to make the position worth his while.
In the pioneer days of our public
school system 1t was too often the
case that man who wasn't good for
anything else was considered good
enough for this position, provided, al
ways, that there was an ancient d.
ploma shut away with other useless
accoutrements of his early campaign
in life. This-with long tailed coat
and a duly impressive air-earned his
salary, and the schools take care OF
themselves. There were, OF course,
exceptions, and the rule Of the few
really able men who were county SUI
perintendents In those days, is still to
be traced in the splendid system OF
which some of our counties have long
been proud AS all other thiAgs ad-
vance along educational lines, how,
ever, the county superintendent must
do so too, and keep 80 well abreast
of the times as to be able to guide
the small army Of teachers with which
he labors.
This head of the county's school
work must be-flrst and foremost--a
gentleman, otherwise the women COM
prising his teaching force must suf-
fer-and suffer much. He must un'
derstand the practical work OF the
school room. as it is given to very
few to teach another to do that which
he cannot do himself. He must, Of
course, be an educated man; and he
must be a man of considerable exect-
tive ability And, unless he cares not
for the pricks along a thor1y way,
his tact must never give out, so long
as he has a score or so OF teachers OF
the gentler sex.
This position Is no sinecure. 1t re-
quires work, and plenty Of 1t. The Of
flee work Is Of peculiarly wearisome
type, consisting as it does, largely
of grading papers, making out exam
nations, planning programs, courses
of study, etc. The pleasaater but
more arduous part of his work con-
sists in frequent visits to schools, in
instructing his teachers as to their
work, holding patrons meetings for
discussion of school matters, and the
very necessary work of stimulating
the people to renewed effort for bet
ter schools, more comfortable build
ings, etc. Now, 1t may be that some
of the county superintendent do not
earn their salaries. But a man who
does all this in the average rural dis
trict in Mississippi earns his salary
a big salary-and a Christmas gift
thrown in, for lagniappe. Why, In
IL 11 kAa ID nerlA dVNfNR
of convincing the patrons that their
children need anything better for
school house than a good sized box
with three holes in it Zone for door
and the other for windows (O, Is
we'll worth the salary paid. 1t Is
sign of the better times, that our peo-
pie are willing to pay their officials
better salaries. Now, If they would
only advance to the position wnere.>
because of a willingness to get the
best and pay for it, they can command
the entire time and talent of our
best trained men and teachers, 1t will
be a glad day for Mississippi and her
schools.
The Text Book Bill.
had expected to be able to tell
our readers all about that wonderful
"Text Book Bill" which has engaged
so much legislative time during this
session and last, the bill which, like
the cat, has nine lives and wont die.
Because it was evidently the desire Of
the people to have uniform system Of
text books, and by virtue of the in
domitable perseverance of some and
the good fighting qualities of others
of its supporters, it has at last passed
the senate, but is SO amended that its
parent, Senator Franklin, of Pontotoc,
scarcely recognizes it. The fight over
the bill was terrific-arst, to get it up
at ALL Finally, when it came before
the senate, there was a battle over
every section. and almost every line.
Too much cannot be said in praise OF
Senator Hightower's method of caring
for the interests of the bill, and even
tually, securing its passage, he having
been put in charge of the bill by its
friends. 1t must now go to the house,
but will scarcely be taken up before
my next letter.
The legislature Of 1904 seems to
agree with that master poet who wrote
"A little nonsense now and then is
relished by the wisest men," as they
adjourned this friday evening un-
til Wednesday Of next week, In order
to enable them to spend the day"
with Vicksburg tomorrow, and to par