The leader., 1904-02-17

another capitol Of marbles from every
known region save ours, and OF South
American woods!
County superintendent.
To one who has read attentively
the legislative proceedings 1t must be
manifest that there Is widespread
feeling of dissatisfaction with the
present system Of school supervision
In the counties. There are some men
now serving as county superintend-
ents of education who are thoroughly
equipped for their work, and whose
schools are up to the mark There are
others who are equipped with the edu-
cation but who lack the executive
powers requisite to the successful dis
charge of the duties. There are some
who have the ability, but lack sui.
hcient time-and, | regret to say
there are some who have the time, but
lack the other needful. OF course
since a school cannot be better than
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-wfth long tailed coat
and 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 things ad-
vance along educational lines, how,
ever, the county superintendent must
do 80 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-f1rst 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 man of considerable execu-
tive ability And, unless he cares not
for the pricks along 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 it. The Of
fee work is of peculiarly wearisome
type, consisting as it does, largely
of grading papers, making out exam.
Of study, etc. The pleasanter 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
lngs, etc. Now, it may be that some
of the county superintendent do not
earn their salaries. But man who
does all this in the average rural dis
trict in Mississippi earns his salary
big salary-and a Christmas gift
thrown in, for lagniappe. Why, in
some neighborhoods the single duty
of convincing the patrons that their
children need anything better for a
school house than good sized box
with three holes in 1t Zone for a door
and the other for windows (?), is
well worth the salary paid. 1t Is a
sign Of the better times, that our peo-
pie are willing to pay their officials
better salaries. Now, il they would
because of a willingness to get the
best and pay for 1t, they can command
the entire time and talent of our
best trained men and teachers, it will
be 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 Po1totoc,
scarcely recognizes it. The fight over
khn hi ~. 40 -
at all. Finally, when 1t 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 eve1.
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 I'M
til Wednesday of next week, in order
to enable them to .spend the day"
with Vicksburg tomorrow, and to par
ticipate Tuesday, in the Mardi Gras
festivities at Natchez. To both these
hospitable cities the legislature goes,
in body. It is presumed that Mon.
day will be devoted to committee
work"
The Farmers Balance Of Trade.
The immense exports from the
farms of the country lead to an ex-
animation of the so-called balance of
trade. This examination reveals what
seems to have escaped the attention
OF the public, and that is, that the
favorable balance Of trade, everything
included. Is due to the still more IA
vorable balance of trade in the pro.
ducts of the farm.
During the thirteen years, 1890.1902.
the average annual excess Of domes.