Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-12-12


and the Central rally has met much COM
mtndation from the people of the dis
tficts. Our good friend Esquire w. G.
Vandiver of District No. 6 states that
the reports of the teachers of his district
for the 4th month, just ended show that
the attendance daily for the 4th month
this year is greater than either of the
other three. Squire Vandiver visits all
of the schools of his district each month
and delivers the warrant to his teachers
for salary in person.
As result of the active interest taken
by him and the Others, the last rally
held in district No 6 was one of the best
in the County and the representation in
the parade and spelling contest was
equal to the best.
This is not written for comparison,
except 20 show how much depends on
the very best citizens interesting them
selves in the promotion of this forward
movement in education.
There can be no doubt now in the
minds of the most skeptcal, that vigor-
Gus work on the part of the County
Superintendent brings results.
The Superintendent feels gratified
with the success which attended his
efforts, but is not at all unmindful of the
fact that his excellent corps of teachers,
and the earnest cooperation of the
school directors made it possible for his
work to succeed. The suggestion that
he should be given a compensation sufii-
cient to warrant his giving of his time
and paying the necessary expenses of
travelling and preparing to travel over
the County certainly deserves the care
full consideration of the Honorable
County Court. The County Superin-
tendent and the County Judge are the
only officials, who, by act ofthe General
Assembly of Tennessee, are required to
possess certain mental qualifications for
their respective offices. The County
Judge must be man "learned in the
law" and the County Superintendent
of Public Instruction must be examined
by the State Board of Education and
pronounced by this Board as a "nlan OF
scholarly attainments" in order to be
eligible as a candidate
He is required TO visit the schools,
keep an intricate set of records, and
exercise general supervision of 70
schools, hold teachers Institute at least
once year, all for the sum of $4,000
per year.
No intelligent man or woman does
need to be told that such services can
not be performed by competent man
for that sum, neither will any one ex.
pect man to perform such services
long, under such conditions. The dig.
niiy of our schools has been raised and
IL it is to be held up to the point it now
occupies or raised higher, II better salary
must be paid.
My apology for writing this is that,
believing am enti.led to as reasonable
pay as any other official in the County
il is my purpose to ask the County
Court at its January term to pay me a
salary for next year proportionate TO the
work required, and do not wish tc
spring the question on them until they
have had an opportunity to consult
with their constituents, if they so de-
sire.
If the Court should grant me this
amount it will not shorten the school
term, it will enable me to give persona
supervision to the work of buildings
when needed, and enable me to do ;
work for which there is now crying
necessity and demand, that is, visiting
the schools, If you ask why it will mo-
shorten the schoos2 answer that th,
Toilet bill appropriating $5O0O.00 tt
The weak schools enables us to run tn,
schools 6 months in all districts wher
the attendance holds up well enough
and believe by careful work in th'
districts where the schools run down b,
competent Superintendent that tn
attendance can be so maintained as t
warrant 6 months terms. No school
will be discontinued this year, becans
of lack of funds before months, ant
much building has been done and
great deal of School furniture has bee
ordered.
If any selo, have been closed fc
the reason OF lack of fu nds, have nc