Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-08
RIGGS ASKS FOR REVISION
Present School Laws Fsld 70 Be an
Inefficient Patchwork.
RECOMMENDS PREMIUM FOR HIGH WAGES
County northumberland who
Fails In Examination for CeFtih-
cate, Brings suit 20 Enable
Her 60 Fold once.
CFrom a stan correspondent)


Governor Cummins. John F. Riggs. state
superintendent Of public instruction. recan-
mends that a commission be appointed 10
entirely revise and harmonic the statutes
relating to the schools, this commission -
report to the Thirty-third general assembly.
The report says that the revision is urg-
emily needed. as many Of the laws are
contradictory. Prof. Riggs then proceeds
to recommend the most radical legislation
that has yet been recommended TO any
legislature relating to school laws. He ad-
vises a state levy Of half mill for the aid
Of the schools. and would apportion the
interest on the school funds, not on basis
Of the number OF persons between the ages
Of and n in the district but with rela-
ton TO the number OF months school Is
maintained. the wages paid the teachers
and the average daily attendance in the
district. The interest on the school fund
amounts 10 % per cent Of the total raised
for school purposes and the county tax 70
So per cent leaving 925 per cent to be
raised by local taxes. Prof Riggs main
tains that some districts through false
economy in wages paid teachers and the
number Of months school Is maintained,
are able to draw as much from the interest
on the school fund as others maintaining
nine months Of school and employing only
the best teachers.
He advocates also that there be state
supervision of high schools, with some
state aid. In order that the courses Of in
struction be more uniform. Prof. Riggs
argues that under the present methods the
State university by examinations places
some high schools on the accredited list.
but that this method turns the high schools
into schools for preparing pupils for the
universities and colleges, whereas he be-
lieves the high school has a field distinct
and separate, though in harmony with the
colleges
Prof Riggs advocates compensation to
school directors for attending the annual
meetings and finds that n,S2S directors
favor It to 2,230 who oppose. He recon-
mends some slight changes in the new
| teachers certificate law; calls attention to
some defects and errors in the existing
! laws takes a position against fraternities
In high schools and advises in favor of
| stronger compulsory attendance laws.
one OF the most radical recommendations
Is that the ofiicc of school treasurer be
abolished Figures are given to show that
| the funds IN the hands of the 1854 school
| treasurers of the state on the third Mon
| day in September 1895. amounted to
s. ls7, SO4 and by June 3d. 1905, had grown
! to S, 4O82S4. He argues that this amount
/ in the hands Of the school treasurers at
| the close Of the school year is for no good
! purpose, is entirely unnecessary and is
| accommodating the money of the taxpayer
/ uselessly and makes the election Of the
! school treasurer a matter Of greater inn
portance than the election Of the directors.
He would abolish the office at once and
provide that the county treasurer disburse
the funds.
Mrs. HueEIe Seeks Courts.
Mrs. Jennie Huegle of this city, who
! failed to pass the state examination for
teachers in October, but was subsequently
/ elected county superintendent Of schools OF
this county, will seek the aid Of the courts
to secure the position to which she has been
elected. Mrs. Huegle is without state GER
tihcate, as required by the law, and so, II
is asserted, cannot qualify for the position.
Mrs Huegle has employed Judge George H.
Carr as her attorney. He asserts that the
law gives the supervisors authority to pass
upon the suficiency Of her bond, but is
silent as to the supervisors passing on heI
certificate or other qualifications, and hence
that she will, take the position. II is be-
ieved that an injunction will be asked by
other persons to restrain her from taking
! the position. Mrs. Huegles attorney also
attacks the new certificate law and claims
that II Mrs. Huegle is excluded from taking
the position to which she has been elected
a large number Of other county supenn.
tendents-elect must be excluded also.
win Give Busse Hearing.
Governor Cummins has granted the at
torneys OF Louis Busse public hearing tC
be given next Tuesday. IL is understood
that an effort will then be made TO induce
the governor TO grant further repTteve t.
permit the customary thirty days in which
10 argue a rehearing motion before the su
preme court.
! Larceny Case from Harrison.
| An appeal TO the supreme court has beer
taken in the case OF the State agains
George z Reinf, supervisor Of Harrison
county, in which he Is charged with th'
larceny Of 5000 belonging to the county. II
the district court verdict was directed IL
favor Of Reiff on q demurrer TO the indict
ment. The question involves the law pro
hibitinE supervisors being interested il
county contracts.
ReauisitiOn Granted.
Governor Cummins today granted tn
reouisition asked by Governor Mickey o
Nebraska for Joe Luton, charged viii
breaking and entering and wanted in Doug
4. las county. ttG - now IN EAgtuouAu coeAeg
Iowa, under arrest. he Was indicted wit
Lawrence DOnavan.
WOmeR Hunt Lobbyist.
The question OF who Will be selected {
act for the Equal Suffrage society at tn
coming session Of the legislature Is both
I ering the association. Heretofore the Gus
tom has been TO pay one or two women 70
their time and expenses In attending tn
sessions. This year It Is proposed 70 hav
the entire local society act as lobbyists. III
resolution submitting the question TO n
people has been presented every year 70
the last twenty years.
Sell Grounds for Arsenal.
In his report TO the legislature fled toda
with the governor, General w. II. Trit
adjutant general OF the Iowa Nations
Guard. recommends that the campsrOuno
OF $50 acres near Fort Des Moines an
south Of this city, be sold and the proceed
used in erecting a state arsenal. He hold
that the government is likely soon TO n
4 quire that the state have an arsenal fc
storing the valuable property It will CIV
the state. He believes the guard will 81
gage sn practice marches and rife rams
work and needs an arsenal and rife RAM
more than a campgrOunds.
See Stephan Bros for the latest and bel
L gr,ysrfad bt,ruera West RrOadWaV