The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1914-07-23


there ever devils broth brcWed
that caualed what has been going on
in our rural schools.
We are paying by taxation over
three million dollars annually oui O!
the state Treasury. to say nothing OF
local taxation and other contributions
for the support Of our public schools
It is a question II onethird Of j, is
not wasted by incompetence and In
difference not to mention possible
graft in one form or another
As sample OF what has been going
on. very recently had occasion TO
look over a batch Of letters from a
number Of County SuperIntendents of
our state. | ran across one reporting
some trouble In the sale OF schools
ASKING what on earth that meant, the
reply was. why haven't you heard OF
that before said in Gods name
no. what does II mean" Why" they
said. that has been complained OF for
years. but 1t is not as bad now as II
has been"
II seems the trustees would sell the
privilege to teach his school to the
teacher who would agree 10 give him
the largest part OF her salary u is
reported that IN some cases trading In
schools has been quite profitable
side issue Was there ever anything
more infamous man that would
do Il ought 10 be sent 10 the peniten
tlary for thousand years. Another
case OF a combine. three teachers were
applicants for a school, the fnal agree
ment WAS that each should teach n
third OF the'time. thus giving the poor
children the benefit of rapid change
In teachers.
Another case (and this was not in
the mountains, ether. vacancy &C.
CURED. two applicants presented them
selves. one was a graduate Of a Nor.
mai school with fun certificate. the
other young girl scarcely through
the High school: the school was given
TO the young girl. Some OF the few
curious enough 10 investigate found
the girls father owed the superintend
eni debt and had promised payment
out OF the girls salary,
In one of our richest counties. wher,
bunch OF trustees were gathered
with some patrons TO talk over condi
tons. one OF the trustees arose anC
pleaded for help, saying that he wal
elected by one vote and he had 10 <,
out and hunt up that man to vote fol
him in order to get there at all.
When It is realized that these dis
trict trustees. Of whom there ar,
about 5000 In the State. constitute th'
most vital part OF our educational ma
chine. is II any wonder thai the stat
Is retarded in her growth and ad
vaHcement
would not be understood as con
demninE all trustees. We have man.
good ones. who are honestly trying Il
do their full duty, but unfouungtei!
these kind are not in the majority
Now whose fault is this? Il belong
more or less 10 all Of US, but primaril!
TO the parents of the children who ar
too indolent or Indifferent TO even X
to the polls and vote Tor The right kn'
Of trustee. and take enough activ'
interest In the conduct OF their school
TO see that they are conducted on Al
efficient basis
When this office Is filled with on,
Of the best men In each district, thel
We shall see such development o
our schools and State AS has not beei
dreamed Of There win be about 400
trustees elected In the hrst days o
August next Now will the people So
that good men are put in or viii the,
continue to neglect II and LEI II b
filled with ne'er do wells. the lncomps
tent OF those who have axes u
grind2"
The wonder Is not that We hav
drouKhts, ana other calamitiss bu
that the God Of Heaven does not smit'
Us from the face OF the earth.
John B McFerran, Chairman Edu
cational COMMITTEES. Louisville Com
meTcial Club