The Alaska daily empire., 1915-03-25

public school system auN lt Au- s.tr- aims to Icy a foundation for such ad- ditionai legislation as may from time to time be needed or deemed neces- sary
 lt is believed that the matter of a complete code of educational laws should be thing of growth. The basic principles upon which such an educational code must rest il 1t IS to serve the best interests of all sec tions Of the Territory must be mat ter of wise and careful study by in- dividuals who are thoroughly com petent to undertake and prosecute the work For this reason. the bill makes provisions for an Educational Com mission consisting of the Governor the Territorial Superintendent of Pub llc Instruction and a third member to be chosen by them. lt is believed by such a scheme it will be possible to make wise and proper provisions for a general and uniform public school system in all its phases. Such a com mission after thoroughly, wisely and carefully studying the present and future needs Of the Territory from an educational standpoint will be in 9 position to make wise and iudicious recommendations to the Legislature covering the necessary and timely leg, islation regarding buch educational needs and interests.
 In the matter of establishing a general and uniform public school system. too much stress cannot be laid upon the qualifications of the Territorial Superintendent of Public Instruction for upon his ability and initiative. more than upon any other factor win depend the proper estao' ! Iishmcnt Of such a system as wesi as the direction og educational affairs l and interests throughout che Terri tory The position will be one which win demand peculiar ability and t'' ness.
 ! That the Territorial Superintendent of Public Instruction should oe pos sessed of high qualifications can hard ly be a questionable point. Neither can it be consistently maintained that he should be lacking in the matters of professional training, in addition to a high scholastic training, and ex' perionce. Professional training as one of the qualifications for such position It's of paramount importance. Exper- Hence in the profession Of teaching IS of equal importance. It is possible to have scholastic training and yet lnow absolutely nothing about school supervision. school administration and school management. Teaching ia a profession In the same sense as ia
 medicine. or law or any brancn ol engineering, etc. No one would think
 of employing a physician as individ
 ual. even though possessed or hisa
 scholastic attainments without pro
 fessional training in the subject ol
 medicine.
 We believe that the qualifications
 of the Territorial superintendent o
 public instruction are fully covered IT
 section of Chapter II of this Dili
 We would have you do your utmo5
 in preventing its change in any man
 ner whatsoever. They are the quail
 ncations for the office which we hop'
 to see incorporated in any bill whici tho Legislature may pass concerninl n general and uniform public schoo
 system for the Territory of Alaska.
 We believe lt to be for the bes
 interests of our public schools, of ai
 educational institutions, and of edu
 cation in general to divorce partisan
 and political considerations entirel
 from all such matters. So long a parusanship and politics are permit
 ted to enter into educational consic
 erations just SO long will our ednca
 tional institutions fail in promotinl their true aim and purpose. Educs tors and statesmen alike are quit l well agreed that partisanship ant l politics are too often stumbling block ] lin the proper administration of ou ] educational Interests and educationa needs. A number of our more pro s gressive and enlightened States nav
 laws making school elections and al 1. appointments to school and educa E tional offices non-partisan and nor ]. political We believe Section Q E Chapter I Of this bill will fully cove ! the case and win ask that you o : your utmost in securing its passag'
 You wili note that under subdiYi' ] ion seventeen Of section Of chapte F in of this bill one thousand dollar [ Is the amount to be allowed the 8
 perlntendent for travelling eNpense ' This sum. we feel should not be mad Z less. TO properly carry ont the pr' z visions Of the act this amount WI f at least be necessary. It must pe r' [ membered that the superintendent i. win have the entire Territory or A 5 asRs to cover, and, to do his WoF g properly. it win necessitaLe more Z less of travelling throughout the le 2 rltory. When it is remembered tAs Z transportation and subsistence el < high. one thousand dollars VIII n' 2 be too much often it costs goYeri 5 ment employees this much and nor s to make only few trips ana 1ni 3 too. in single division of the Ter < tory We believe that the maftef