The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1907-02-01

A. - EArtlNntALy ana a UIQnQSlIfO
upon which all are agreed that tn
state can owe no higher duty than tn
one 70 furnish the means Of education
70 the children who viii one day b
clothed with the responsibilities OF citi
Every consideration OF the future
good government morality and religion
itself depends upon the training o
childhood In the home and In the schoo
I house. And when IL Is remembered tina
for more hours in many days of tn
year the average child is under the in
fiuence OF the teacher and school en-
Vfronment rather than its parents, tn
question grows in Importance.
We should strive, therefore, to hav'
our educational system up to the yer.
highest point OF efficiency and 20 inau
gurate policy that win accomplish
the best results
Not only should trained teachers b,
employed, but the school building.
should be substantial and sanitary
To employ underpaid superintendent
OF public instruction and teachers II
the counties is a false economy. They
should be paid adequate salaries com
mensurate with their services.
have given the school question &
good deal Of Thought and have watched
the growing interest in educational
work brought about IN great degree by
the present efficient superintendent OF
Public Instruction and his coadjutors
From the educational reports and my
own study OF the question, have come
to the conclusion that our school sys-
tenn needs thorough and radical change
if the children of Tennessee are to re-
ceive the full benefit Of the States APP
preparations.
] therefore recommend.
!. The extension of the benefits OF
what is known as the Toilet law.
2. The passage of a law offering
State aid to those counties whose rev.
enues are insufficient for the purpose,
co of 1n 90, cot ar of mr. ~
superintendent shall be less than 5000
per year.
3. The adjustment OF the office Of
school director
4. the substitution or county
board OF education, to consist of FIVE
members who will have full control
of employment of teachers, and exer-
else all powers now conferred by law
upon the school directors.
5. A law requiring the county courts
to divide each county into five school
districts, one member to be elected
from each district by the qualified vot-
ers thereof, those elected to constitute
the board of five.
The reasons which have influenced
me to ask for an extension Of the bene-
fits of the Toilet law, and that ade-
quate salaries be paid county superin-
elaboration.
Those which have induced me to rec
ommend the abolishment of the Offices
of school director and the substitution
of county board will be equally appar-
ent to those who have considered the
subject in all its aspects.
Three school directors for each dis
trict creates cumbersome machinery
which lacks the clements Of unity 50.
essential in educational work.
No matter how well intentioned these
directors may be, they cannot act with
purposes often they do not
know how TO act. and in some instances
y ~ mt "a cd nj cf &c
The result Is often wasteful extrava-
ganQe in the purchase of school sup
plies, the employment of Incompetent
teachers and consequent deterioration
IN economical and efficient manage
nent.
No corporation or business could be
successfully conducted under such
system as obtains for the management
II our county public schools
state MISUNDERSTANDING Normal
school.
/ recommend as liberal policy as is
consistent with our resources toward
,ur State University. This is essen
tally q home institution, and the stu
Tents there, in large part, will be citi-
tens of our State As they have adj
in technical, Industrial and
scientific training, they will add corre
ipondingly to our future development
md wealth. A niggardly policy toward
his institution Is to be deplored, and
will be substantial and commensurate
With the needs OF the university.
In regard to the proposition to APP
'roprlate outright $250,000 to the Pea
'ody Normal School, | call your atten-
ion to the resolution passed by the
Peabody board, which understand has
-lready been presented to you, and the
erms of which need not be repeated.
From this resolution 1T would appear
hat the incalculable benefit to be de-
ived by the permanent location and
OF great institution of
earning for the training and equip
nent of school teachers, depends alone
pom an outright appropriation of
$780, 900 by the State OF Tennessee.
This / recommend unhesitatingly |
he opportunity should not be'lost. The |
States, and Tennessee espe-
tally, owes debt Of gratitude to the
cad philanthropist and his representa-
ives, and also to Gov. Porter for his |
Intelligent and well directed efforts to |
ecure this benefaction.
Public Roads.
Next to education the question of /
God roads il the most important that |
an claim your attention. and Is beset I
nth the most difficulty.
The advantages from properly con-
tructed and maintained highways adj
ress themselves to all.
If were to make a recommendation |
ow on this subject II would be to
bolish the office of road overseer, to |
ut the public roads of the counties |
nder the control Of Board OF High-
yay commissioners and have county I
Dads constructed like other better
rents, by contract and under the SUI
ervision and direction OF q compe-
snt engineer.
Our present road system is antiquat-
a. wasteful and has demonstrated it's
borough inefficiency,
| have in my possession the road
Tvs Of many Of the states, and have
cad with great interest bulletins Is
led by the Good Roads Department off,
ne Government, all of which the MEM
ers of the Legislature may have If
icy wish to see them, For the pres
lt, in view of the immense Importance
{ the subject and the necessity of Il
Ialxing Il right BEGINNING which can
My be after mature consideration, /
commend, unless the Legislature has
s definite plan OF road Improvement
,rmulated, that be given the power
appoint a commission of three, to
I known as the Good Roads Com
iSsiou who will be authorized to take
b the whole subject, make thorough
and report their conclu-
ons to this or a subsequent Legisla-
ire. The expense connected with such
board would be inconsiderable, for
slieve the most competent men would
rive without compensation, save their
1penses, and with such clerical help
may be necessary for the work.
rom these Investigations, Intelligent
conducted, the Legislature might feel
stified to begin an inauguration Of a
ublic road system, which, at this
me, they might hesitate to do.
believe the appointment of this
,mmission would arouse public inter-
i, which would crystalline into some
led and definite plan for road inn
'ovement.
/ may add that assurances have been
ven me of the cooperation of the
bod Roads department at Washing
n, which will give to the commission
Information ia its possession.