The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-20
COUNTY TEACHERS
IN REGULAR SESSION
Discuss Election of Superinten-
dent By People
ELLIS FAVORS THIS PLAN
Sets Forth Reasons Why Election of
County officers Should Not Be
Left to Boards of Edu-
cation.
ELLIS FAVORS THIS PLAN

The regular meeting Of the Jenerson
County Teachers association was held
In the city hall yesterday morning at
10 o'clock. The principal business OF the
mating consisted Of a discussion as to
whether the county superintendent OF
education should be elected by popular
vote, instead of being appointed by the
board of education as Is now pracuced'
A resolution was adopted, carrying the
point that they should be appointed by
the board of education, but substitution
was made by Prof 8. A. Ellis as fol-
lows:
'That the county superintendent should
be elected by popular vote"
The question was discussed at length
and the meeting adjourned until next
Saturday morning at 10 o'clock, when
the discussion will be resumed
The question is one in which the teach
ers Of the county are greatly interested.
At the meeting yesterday there was
considerable discussion on both sides. Pro-
lessor Ellis, in speaking on the subject,
among other things, said:
Professor Ellis Speaks.
| desire to say few things in reference
to the report of the committee. I do
not oppose them all as whole. but
shall speak mainly upon the first section
of these resolutions.
1t proposes to have the county super
intendents In Alabama elected by the
| county boards of education.
am opposed to that clause on gen
eral principles 1t is contrary to true
| democratic usage, and leads toward CEN
trallzed government.
| Why take the selection of county SUI
perintendents out of the hands of tho
people? If We do that why not also
ask that the state superintendent be
! elected by the state board of education?
! Why not have a committee or a few
selected men to appoint our governor,
lieutenant governor, attorney general,
state auditor, superintendent Of agricul-
ture, sheriffs, judges Of the supreme
court, solicitors, etc. Why do we seek to
| break away from democratic customs at
this time. If our people can be trusted
to select by popular vote all these Off
| GERS, why can they not select the man
who supervlses the education Of our chill
| dren 1t is a step backward.
| I consider 1t a reflection upon the COM
mon intelligence of the citizens of Ala
bama to take this step. Never before
! have our citizenship been elevated to an
attitude so trustworthy as now. The
voters of today by their educational quail
ifcations required by law are much bet
ter able to exercise their franchise wise
ly In the election of all officers than
ever before. Besides, the tendency now is
to take away from legislative bodies the
right to select our senator's
A cry goes up also to abolish the cleo
toral college who choose our presidents.
Everywhere the spirit is growing to-
ward leaving the choice of officials In
the hands of the people.
This is right and just what our form
OF government has intended from its foun-
dalton to foster. 4
Minimize Importance of Office.
Another objection to the superintend-
ents being appointed by the board of
| education is to minimize the Importance
and dignity of the office, and makes him
the servant of the board Whereas. he
should be the head of the organization
Let the board of education be elected
by the people to serve under and with
the superintendent. who should be a di-
rector of the educational affairs of his
county.
Let the five members as suggested be
chosen as a legislative body for the coun-
ty, the superintendent presiding and hav-
Ing voting power Let the state fix the
compensation of all these officers. basing
the compensation on the amount of work
to be done. taking the population as a
basis.
Another objection to this plan OF Sc
curing superintendent is that ring
within a ring will be formed that will
amount to an oligarchy and will largely
increase ones opportunity to perpetuate
himself in office.
Our people are now able to choose
their judges, solicitors and lawmakers,
surely they are able to select those who
administer the laws, as well.
The second section is Objectionable, be-
cause it gives license to board to go
out of the county to secure superintend-
ent. 1t should be the aim of every coun-
ty to qualify her sons to hold any office
In the gift of her people, and should
be encouraged to build up home institu-
lions with home effort and by her own
people
People Have No Voice In Selection.
The third section, stiplating the qualh-
cations of superintendent. is good and
with that requirement a safeguard is
placed around the office that would pre-
vent the voters of the county from any
blunders they might make selecting a
superintendent.
Another objection to the appointment
plan instead of the elective. is that In
e counties containing cities with municipal
government where a great bulk of our
Intelligent people reside will have nc
voice in the selection of a county Off
Ger.
The tenth section is objected to on the
grounds that teachers are not allowed
to serve on the board. I see no reason
for that, but on the contrary, they are
the most suitable persons to serve foi
they are well acquainted with the neces-
stiles that confront the profession. Be
sides this. the work that will come be
fore them in the form of appeals, etc
must be attended to in the day time wher
men from the rural districts can meet
them. This is best done on Saturdays
the teachers leisure day, when the bus
Ina LIZ