Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-04-14
L. B. WHITE.

two terms. He was at the time of ell |
ection one of the leading school men of
the county. aud noted for his, high |
ideals, his correct personal life, good
judgement and enthusiasm.
lie at once enlisted the interest Of |
some of the leading teacher! and citizens
of the county in having County Insti-
tute, which, while it continued only two
days, and was more in the nature Of a
convention was really the beginning of
the progressive movement which has re-,
suited so well for the County schools.
One of the old programs has fallen into
my hands which announces as follows
"The Teachers and friends Of education
are requested to meet at the Academy
at $3.50 A. NJ. Prof Davis and his
assistant Miss Carrie Mathews will ex-
emplify methods of teaching"
The Institute will discuss the
methods by the Chairman calling for
the views and methods of each teacher
present" Hon. w. j. buchanan, w. T.
Nixon, ana Supt. w. X Lackey were
each down for :n address. VIM Parkes
was to deliver theaddress of Welcome
at 10 A. VI. The program consisted of
discussion Of practical school subjects
covering the two whole days Friday
and Saturday October l6 and II 1883.
There were 30 teachers in attendance by
no means, bad beginning During
this year Mr.. Lackcy visited Sc schools
and made 4S adCfesses. Ont of 81 ap-
rlicants for cert fieates lie Issued seven
t. five The funds at his command in
1883 were 1921, So being less than in
1882, by about $30). The expenditures
were as follows: Teachers Salery 1914
81 an increase of Sill over the previous
year, Dist. CHS. 81 80 other expenses
$l125. At the close of the scholastic
year June 81 1881 there was balance
due The schools of 1918. No account
was given in the report of any outstand,
ing warrants owing to the schools by
the county. 1t may be that this item
in Mr.. Carrcll's report was an error.
The County Superintendent Salary,
appropriated by the Court to Supt.
Lqckey, was $9765, which with the
les amounted to abont $;65. The
private schools were reported to be 10,
with 1870 pupils enrolled, l4O average
daily attendance and average price of
tuition per month $l25 The average
length of the school term was the same
as the previous year, IS days, average
salary of teachers $3.50 per month
greater than in 1882. The cost of
tuition per month public school 80 cents,
The tax levy was increased by our
County Court for 1883 to 20 cents per
hundred on property, and 81. on polls
} thus doubling the rate os taxation for
school purposes. This raised the teach
ers salary to an average of $2} per
month and increased the average length
of the school term to 70 days. III
: 1885, if no earlier, the tax rate on pro
perty was raised to 80 cts per hundred
on property and two dollars on polls,
where it now stands. w. X. Lackey
was still the County Superintendent of
schools and had abored hard to secure
system of uniform text books for the
5 County, a very difficult undertaking but
3 his efforts were attended by ordinary sue
ces. The fact that the County superin
tendent has only advisory power, cal
! make orders but has no authority t.
S enforce them is responsible for man,
G failures, III the plans he may in
e augurate. As early as Nov.24, 1888, we
t find the superintendent issueing cir
r cular urging uniformity, and the sup
e erintendents have been urging it eve
since, but not until the uniform tex
It book law by the State was enacted di,
/
d we reach it. The benefits of this lay
If are too manifest to need any defens
re from my hands. 1t was the earnes
n enthusiasm of supt. Lackey that inspire,
er the Court to the increased tax levy an,
ID this levy really was the foundation o
IS better things for the schools of Lawrer
II c. c, II lty. Since that time the school
= have shown steady, if not rapid, pre-
al gress.
The epoch making events which hay