Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-11

make a personal inspection OF the state
offices I am sure YOU will pronounce the
furnishings OF the state superintendent's
office below the average. and. further,
you will find that not one Of the state Of
fees is extravagently furnished.
The need and cost OF Inspecting normal
training high schools has been made an
issue by your correspondent. He argues
that the inspection made by the state uni
VeriSty Is sufficient.
The university Inspector gives his sole
attention to academic requirements for en-
trance to the university. The purpose OF
normal training IN high schools is to pro-
vide professionally trained teachers for
the rural schools OF the state, The inspec-
ton Of normal training high schools by
the state superintendent of public instruc-
ton does not duplicate the academic in
spection made by the state university. II
accepts that without question:. but the law
makes It mandatory upon the state SUPER
intendent to inspect every normal train
ing high school on eight additional, spe-
cific and important requirements, which
must be met before any school Is entitled
TO share in the appropriation for normal
training. A careful reading OF the law
will set you right on this matter.
II you will take into consideration the
extra amount of work placed upon the
office Of the state superintendent by recent
school legislation during my administration,
II will be evident that all expenditures
made by me were reasonable and just.
Your correspondent calls attention to that
provision of the constitution which READS:
There shall be no allowance for clerk hire
In the office of the superintendent OF public
instruction and attorney general II an
preparations for such office help as deputy,
assistant, secretary, stenoETapher, ETC., are
violations by every legislature, every state
superintendent, and every attorney general
for more than twenty-five years, regardless
of the political party in power. 1t would
have been a physical inpossibility for any
state superintendent of public instruction
to render due service to the people of this
state by carrying out the laws that au-
thorized and demanded such extra office
help, had any legislature failed to make
appropriations therefor.
There is another section Of the const-
tuition which all public officials have
violated during the past twenty-five years
Said section contains the following provi-
sion: THE state may contract debts
never to exceed in the aggregate 100000;
Cured except for the purpose of repelling
Invasion. supressing instruction. or de-
Tending the state in war; Section j.
article xiv.
You are aware OF the fact that for years
the state debt has far exceeded the consti-
tutional limit Of 500, 900. that ten years ago
this debt Appropriated S2,000,000, that no
longer than two years ago 1t was still
nearly $4,000, 900, and that today 1T Is nearly
$40O, 600. Were the people of Nebraska to
enforce this provision of the constitution
to the letter, the wheels of government
would cease to revolve. The members OF
the legislature, the state officers, and all
employees in state institutions would be
forced to resign and go homo, or else serve
the state gratuitously until the state DEBT
is brought within the constitutional limit.
Yours very ruly, j. Il. M bfSlbN'