The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-18
Letters to The Editor
THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.

D
 Another Argument Assi.st the Pre-
 D0sed Change In Selection.
 Editor The Advertiser:
 If you think the matter of enough public interset. will you kindly permit this correspondent to respectfully ask Legislature to a biIi now pending be- fore that body: "A bill to provide for the more efficient supervision of the public schools of the State" (senate Bill 253.)
 A pamphlet and circular letter have been sent throughout the State by the Superintendent of Hducation. addressed to the Friends of Education" asking their endorsement, etc. measure will disclose that 1t was prompted either by grave distrust of the people. or Is designed to consolf- date in the hands of a few the control of the whole Department of Education ganizatton into a powerful political machine. Great stress Is laid in this pamphlet on the importance of select ing efficient County superinssnd,snts In would appear to be the main purpose of the bill. No one could object to that It would be entirely reasonable that the Superintendent be required to DO trained teacher, or one holding a first grade certificate. If the law should require that he hold a first grade certificate how can the people err if permitted. as now. to elect their own County Superintendent? It is pro- posed by this bill to take from the people of the County the right to se- lect a County Superintendent and place the election in the hands of five per Education, who are to appoint him. with power to discharge him whenever eo@pensstion. com " This Ii creature s' of N the the Board Is vested with power to nomi- County Board of Education.
 This virtually gives the power to five persons sitting, it may be, many miles away. the right to select teachers for the parents and guardians of the school children throughout the Coun- ty, in utter disregard of their wishes, If they desire to do 1t. It is true, the proposed bill provides that "the' Super tntendent shall. with the advice of the ers." If the advice" of the district trustees Is to prevail always, why not they make-the nomination to the Coun- ty Board? If their advice Is to be. or nominate is absolute in the Superinten- dent. The present law gives the right to nominate and elect the teachers in country districts to the district trus- meeting of the parents and guardians of the school district. and at such meeting, they shall in consultation with such parents and guardians, and with a view to subserve their wishes, inter- est and convenience" etc, proceed to elect the teachers. See Acts 1903, D. 151. District trustees are required to be residents of the district. to be neigh bors, yet before they can select teach CTS the. people themselves are to be called together and consulted, their wishes. interest and convenience" known. This Is local se1f-government in the dearest, tenderest relation of children Is a right the country. people cherish more than any other right. They will streruouslv object to it's be- ing taken from them. Their situation Is very different from those living in cities. There the school officials are in reach and may be seen at any time. They too, have daily press--the cal If the people can be trusted to name United States Senators, members of Congress, members of the Legislature, Governors, Judges and Superintendents of Education for the whole State. why not trust them to elect their local ofh- cers--County Superintendents of Edu- cation? The pamphlet alluded to claims Superintendents In the hands of a County Board will take the office out of politics. It Is the object of all cen. tralized power to take the control or matters 'out of politics" l. e., away from the people, and piaca them where a few politicians may manage them.
 This proposed law Is not the demand tendency Of all recent Legislation. It Home Rule.
 King, Ala.