The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-07-25
RELATION OF THE SCHOOL TO SOCIETY.

1t has been said of the public school that
it is the heart of American society. IL
touches more directly all orders and con-
ditions Of people than any feature OF
American society.
The public school is for the children OF
every class of the population and within
it's portals all are given an equal opportu-
nifty. The child of the poor man as well
as the child of the rich man. When they
cross the threshold of the public school
they stand upon an equal footing in respect
of all rights and privileges. There IS no
discrimination in the properly conducted
school. There, if nowhere else, social or
class distinction is eliminated. Mental
qualifications and studious application are
the only passports to superiority The
public school is a great public blessing,
and should ever remain unfettered and
untrammeled-a highly beneficial and
most honored institution
In order that the public school shall per-
form it's great function it must be kept Tree
from every influence that may have de-
moralizing effect Those who administer
the public school system must be unhamp-
cred by any obligation or allegiance, po-
litical or otherwise, that might divert them
from the clearly defined line OF duty to
promote the cause Of public education.
The mere politician should have no hand
in administering the school system. Such
a person should not be intrusted with the
work of the schools or in matters relating
to them. His primary concern is with
politics. and if he can use the public school
to his political advantage he will always
do so.
1t is unfortunately true that nearly
everywhere in this country politics has
played a potent part in connection with
public education. In all the large cities,
especially, the sincere friends of the public
school have had to wage constant war
fare against the demoralizing influence OF
the politicians.
Until the election of the present State
Superintendent, as far as we know, the
public school system of Louisiana was not
used to promote any mans political aspi-
rations. But with the fast and loose rul-
ings of the State Board of Education and
the very faint buzzing of the gubernatorial
bee in Mr.. Aswell's bonnet a few years
ago, we have had chaos and confusion in
some sections of the State, with the SUI
perintendent q candidate for reelection
and doing his best to run the school sys-
tenn for his own advantage. Matters have
been steadily going in this direction until
now the ''Thibodaux Sentinel an es-
Unable paper, is moved to cry out against
the ''strenuous efforts of the schoolmen
trust, recently built up in the State.'' Not
withstanding the present incumbent has
received a great many Endorsements, en-
gineered generally by his particular friends
there are a great many people who are
dissatified with his methods and admins
tration generally, and will gladly vote
against him, if they have an opportunity
And if il comes to show down, they may
prove to be in the majority
Everywhere the standard of public edu.
cation is very much higher to-day than i
was quarter of a century ago. The de.
mand now is that the standard shall no
be lowered, and that it may not be it il
imperatively necessary to free the public
schools from all political influence.