Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-01-26
and would facilitates

have no authority to put the state
under any obligation. legally or moral
", for any expense or compensation
connected with this matter. shalP
recommend to the legislature that you
be paid reasonable per diem COM
pensation and your expenses. Further
than this | cannot go. | shall have to-
ask YOU to serve on this understand
ing. | should be very glad IL you will
notify me at once whether you will ac~
cept the appointment, as think a
preliminary meeting of the commits
sion should be held without much de-.
lay
] have not had opportunity to read
the bill for the act to revise Chapter
As Of the Code, but from the character
of the gentlemen of the commission L
have no doubt that II Is well worthy
OF your attention.
] earnestly recommend that You
make an appropriation to pay the per
diem compensation and expenses OF
the several members of the commits
sion
Very respectfully,
WM. Nj. o. DAWSON.
Charleston, w. Va, Jan. 81, 1907.
Report of the Commission.
Hon VIM. M. o. Dawson, Governor:
Sir, The undersigned members OF
the commission appointed TO draft
measures to revise the school law OF
the state herewith submit brief re-
port. together with bin embracing
all The changes recommended.
The commission met for the first
time In formal session at Clarksburg
ON the 18th day or August and organ
lied by electing Thomas G. Miller AS
chairman and J. r. Trotter as secre-
tary. Al this meeting the members
OF the commission discussed In gem
eral way the changes deemed neces-
sary In the law as Ii now lis. appor-
toned part of the work TO the several
members. and adjourned TO meet at
Clarksburg on the goth of September
The second meeting at Clarksburg con
tinued for two days. Other meetings
were held at Clarksburg beginning Oc-
tober 23rd and continuing until NE
18th: Clarksburg, December 18th to
December Goth; and Elkins, December
27th to December 29th In addition to
these meetings committee OF the
commission held three meetings, sew
en- days in all, in Clarksburg.
Unfortunately the time OF several
members OF the commission was so
occupied with other business that they
could devote but little time TO the
work assigned them, and much OF 1t,
In fact most CT 1t, fell upon two or
three members OF the commission but
those on whom this work fell were
aided In a general way by the sugges-
ton Of the others, and they have en-.
deavored as nearly as possible to make
only such changes as were agreed
to by all the members OF the commits
sion. 1t must be said, however, that
all the members Of the commission
we're not entirely satisfied with the
proposed changes, but are agreed In
the opinion that the changes proposed
would make the law better than 1t now
is and they have heretofore agreed
unanimously to recommend the bill
herewith transmitted as a whole with
out any minority report.
Among the changes recommended
are the following:
One trustee; the county the unit for
the teachers fund; county and district
high schools; sub-district graded
schools; a course of study for all
schools from the primary through the
high school, prepared by a committee
on course Of study; primary teachers
certificates; high school teachers GER
tifcates; renewal of teachers certi-
fcates under certain conditions; uni
form textbook; one board OF regents
for the university and two branches:
one board OF regents for the TWO col
ored Institutes; more effective com
pulsory attendance law; six months
minimum term; and the duties of trus-
tees, board OF education and teachers
more clearly defined.
The commission submits the accom-
panying bill with the sincere hope
that the changes proposed may be
carefully considered by the legislature,
and that If they are found desirable
they may be enacted into law
Respectfully submitted,
THOS G. MILLER,
Chairman.
HARVEY w. HARMER,
tSigned) y. S. MORGAN,
B. L. BUTCHER.
J. r. TROTTER. Sec'y.,