The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-09-15

recall Tile 0FGCtlOll Ill lily tCIIl VI
office of fine school houses in
various parishes: in Shreveport
Bastrop, New iberia, Alexandria,
Baton Rouge. All these buildings
were erected at great expense, and
are of the finest order. In addi-
ton to these many good school
houses were built in all the par
isles; so that at the end of my
second term l felt that | could
correctly say that every child in
the State could find a public school
within three miles of his home.
During this period the school rev.
enues were augmented by volun-
tary local taxation to nearly one
million year.
At the beginning of my term |
felt that it was my duty to adopt
a proper plan for examination and
appointment of teachers, because
until then there was no uniformity
in the manner or times of exami-
nation, the preparation of ques-
tons, or the mode of ascertaining
results. This was vital defect.
Briefly stated, the plan proposed
to remedy the evil was approved
by the officials of all the parishes,
and resulted in securing for the
children the best teachers that
could be found. | advocated the
election of Parish School Directors
by the people of the parish, but
so as to have one third Of them
elected every two years; the pres
ident of the Police Jury to be ex-
offcio a member of the School
Board; the division of the State
into school districts, like judicial
districts and the State Board of
School Directors to consist of an
even number; elected by the peo-
pie of the districts, to serve six
years, one portion of them elected
every two years. The State Board
to elect a superintendent to serve
during their plrasure, with duties
prescribed by them; and at SAL
ary fixed by them.
A perusal of the narrative and
the financial and statistical tables
in the biennial reports rendered
during the eight years ending with
July, 1904, and a comparison of
them with previous reports, will
show a confined and flattering
improvement in all the lines Of
school work and school admins
tration.
Referring to the remark of the
Baton Rouge correspondent about
the "dusty den" and the edo
nothing" beg to make a state
ment.
am told that when my success
sor took charge, the appearance
and equipment of the office was
changed as if by a sudden en-
chantment. The bare floor was
hidden beneath luxurious carpets;
the old furniture which had done
service for decades was "dis-
charged" and was replaced by
the finest models of modern man.
ufacture; and every convenience
supplied for the accommodation
of the superintendent, his assist
ants, and his typist. This was a
becoming transformation of a
"dusty den" into the office of a
high official. But for this trans
formation the Appropriation Com
|'mittee allowed Mr.. Aswell the
unusual sum of $500.
As to the "do nothing" and the
''busy workshop" have to say
that this charitable remark doubt
less refers to the activity of Mr..
Aswelland hissuccessorin holding
large summer schools in different
parishes. In common with all
school folks | compliment these
officers on their success in this
direction. Former superintend-
ents held annual meetings of the
Parish Superintendent they also
assisted at Teachers Institutes,
but in these &c activities they are
completely overshadowed by Mr..
Aswell and Mr.. Harris. But why?
Up to the time of Gov. Blanchard
the Legislature had appropriated
only S145O annually for Teachers
Institutes. Through the influence
of Gov. Blanchard they gave to
Mr.. Aswell for the same purpose
the sum of S12,50O per annum;
they had his salary raised from
$1,000 to 5000 a year, and gave
him $500 year for travelling
expenses; also $1,000 year for
office expenses. Thus Mr.. Aswell
had the handsome allowance of
$500 a year, or S39, 200 for his
four year term. Added to this,
he had the disbursement of S12,-.
800 year for institutes-a total
OF $4,000 Institute Fund for his
four year term. His successor has
the same munifcent resources.
With this great monetary ad-
vantage, it is not surprising that,
as the Baton Rouge correspond
ent says, Mr.. Aswell turned the
den" into a workshop; but in
tho 1srhf IF cohool h:o41