The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-21
PEARSON AT HEAD.



receive. But Kansas is never in the
rear in any good thing, and am glad
to say is awakening to her responsible
ity in this particular.
II am old-fashioned enough to be-
EeVe that every normal child should
know perfectly the four essential
operations of arithmetic, the most I'M
portant rules upon which our English
language is based, to spell words in
common use,-mind 1 did not say
found in the spelling book, except as
these occur there, be able to write a
legible hand and compose, at least, a
decent letter.
Perhaps too much haste is RESPONSE
BILE for lack of definite knowledge. To
know how to use strength to advant-
age is better than twice as much Ill
directed effort. Steady endeavor reaches
and teaches. From nature we learn q
lesson. She takes time to develop all
things-'Ffrst, the blade, then the ear,
then the corn in the ear
And, now the unity of spirit that
will make our diversity of gifts a power
for good in the elementary schools of
kansas-is a well directed enthusiasm
that is a true appreciation of the
work to be done, a will determined to
perform it in a prompt and efficient
manner and prudent zeal.
This will awaken an interest in both
pupil and parent without whose COOP
Grafton nothing can be accomplished.
which he can depend in later life
Superintendent Fairchild's Address.
Speaking at the Auditorium this
morning to the State Teachers asso-
citation on the subject. "Some Kansas
Public School Problems" Superinten-
dent Fairchild said in part:
mo system, as a whole, could be
devised that is more extravagant, more
wasteful, or less efficient in securing
direct results than the system in
ILL., L, 20
the management of our schools. We
have an army of over 100000 teach
ers, managed by another army of over
$4,000 600 ofhcerS-a condition of af-
fairs that insureS extravaganza, repre-
sents a vast amount of wasted energy
and renders certain a disastrous lack
of unity and coordination.
"In view of certain recent discus
sions in this state, it seems probable
that the question of reorganization
| of the administration of our public
schools in cities of tNa first and sec
ond class will be attempted at the
| coming session of the legislature. 1t
must be apparent that any legisla-
! ton of this character affecting so
Ivitally and so Intimately the welfare of
| our schools demands and should re-
ceive the most careful and thoughtful
attention on the part of those best
qualified by experience and official re-
| lations.
| powers as have been suggested could
| be placed in the hands of fewer school
| officers we might confidently expect
| that the business of our schools would
be conducted with much of the dis
| patch, the authority and the intelli-
| gence displayed by the commissioners
| in city government; yet it appears
equally clear that any movement to
turn over the management of our
! schools to city commissioners would
1 I'M ifaI0 70
school interests, and would constitute q
! continual menace to their well being.
| 1t is indeed probable that a provision
| reducing the number of the mem ber5
| of boards of education to a maximum
of not more than five, nor less than
! gain to our schools.
THE township system is perhaps the
| most feasible and the one which would
/ involve the least radical change Of
present conditions. 1t could be brought
| about by the discontinuance of the
| present district officers and the sub
| stitution of three school directors Or
trustees. Under this system the dis
trict school would remain as it is. only
the business now pertaining to it would
| be transacted by a single board. In
| creased responsibility tenCs to in
creased efficiency. The township sys-
/ tenn will, therefore. draw to the office
/ the men best qualified to fill it. Such
a system would tend to equalize the
burden of taxation It would tend t.
| an equality of school provisions in re-
! spect to school houses, school grounds
apparatus. length of school terms, and
the quality and character of the teach
/ ers. It would tend also to reduce the
number of schools. and there would fol-
low as a natural sequence better classi.
fication, grading and teaching and q
| consequent improvement in the teach
ing force and better Salaries