The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-03
DEMOCRACY AND sCHooI. TEACH
EES.

With the principles OF democracy
The Times Dispatch is in full accord.
We believe that the people have n
to determine their own forms of gov
eminent But this belief does not mean
that Tho Times Dispatch approves and
applauds every so-culled step towards
democracy. The right to have medical
treatment does not ertitic o man to
spread contagious diseases because he
believes that the faith cure Is 4 better
remedy for smallpox than vaccine
ton. The public rights come in to
override personal idiosyncrasies, and,
for the good OF all, the holder Of such
doctrines is compelled to forego his
private feelings and submit to- police
regulations. In the Legislature att
rrosent there Is an obvious tendency toI
revolt against the so-callcd centraliza-
ton OF education. a bill Is now pend
ing to elect division Rupo rintendcnts
OF schools by popular vote. and anoth
er bill has been introduced to eject
school trustees the came way. The
principle behind both of these bills Is
the same Their supporters feel that
tho school affairs Of Virginia as at |
present administered are too far re-
moved from the people and do not re-
spond readily enough TO popular
wishes. Yet all must sdmit that the
history OF our government has shown
that no eurer method can be discov-
cred for destroying the value of pop |
u!ar election than by increasing the
number OF Offices to such q point that
the voter loses all sense OF Interest and |
relative Importance.
As it is to-day so many officers are
elected by popular vote that the actual
effect is to destroy in large measure
the power OF the ballot. The real
principle behind the commission form
OF government is that the voters cx-
orcisc their power BY choosing q man
who they deem 1T and woc;hy 10 carry
out their wishes for them. No railroad
could run if the stockholders elected
every section hand: no factory could
exist II the stockholders voted for
each mechanic, and logrolled as they
voted The proof OF the value of Vir-
ginia's school system is the growth
that this State has made in matters OF
education and the rank that ii has
taken among the other States OF this
Union.
The average division superintendent
has been trained for his work; he is
not politician, and. Il be were. lie
would be worse superintendent. Like
q man OF science, his whole intellect
is centred upon the development of
education and the Improvement OF
SCHOOL conditions. From every motive,
the patrons or tho school should dc.
sire to keep this class OF public ser
wants out OF politics. The less these
executives Of the educational depart
ment have to. DIP with the ballot boz,
the better u ia. for .the school boy or
school girl; the better Il, is for INC
tax payer. the better 1t is foi tho stale |
Under the present system, the same is
true Of the trustees; they are respon-
Hive TO popular will; they perform
heavy services for practically no sal
AIRY, and the class OF man who is OF |
the most value on the school board is |
nearly always one who would no, nm
dertake those duties If he had hrst to |
60 through house 10 house campaign
for votes.
In Its desire TO be powclfr!. democ ).
Tacy may ovecreach Itself ana the b,lIs
We have been discussing show how.
With the best intentions Ia increase
the power of the Dcg.In !. 49,.