The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-02-21
: LAKELAND EVENING TELEGRAM MONDAY FEBRUARY ii 19zI

cational system of the state? Specifically does
that mean anything from the question of educa-
tional supervision? It means absolutely. nothing.
They must secure sufficient number of votes.
That is ALL This leaves the way open for any
politician whether he has ever seen inside of
schoolroom. Is it possible that The head of a
stream must be lower than any part of its course?
This is true in The Ii@t2 c. .ci..L 4hc Cc = -
Of the state of Florida must be trained, high
school graduates, normalites, or graduates OF
standard colleges universities, and at the same
time pass examination in order to secure
license to teach or receive certificate by reason
of being graduate of a standard college or uni
versty Are you willing to permit the one who
is supposed to be above all others i'll the educa-
tiOnal system to enter that office without any
knowledge, apparently, of what really needs to
be done? Are you going to buy an automobile
for $4,000 and employ man as chauffeur who
has never seen an automobile? Are you going to
buy farm for $4,000 and place man in charge
who does not know anything about farm? Yet,
that is exactly what is being done in the case of
county superintendent of the State of Florida.
Practically all states place qualification of some :
kind upon county superintendent. Is it right
that teachers should qualify under the law and
the who is TO supervise the teachers go free?
The teachers (and place myself i'll that CLASSY
have been too cOwardly to express themselves on
this point because they afraid OF the political
machinery. Is it not a fact that a few county
superintendent build up a machine in order to
be reelected? Do they not parade the streets
ana rural ulSt1tlS taking oil the uemOrallZeu con-
ditOns Of the office which their predecessors have
just vacated and about the wonderful work they
are doing in order that they may tell the people
at the next election? Teachers are appointed by
a board elected by the people and ! in favor
CT appointing the county superintendent in the
same way. If you haven't qualified teacher in
the county who is able to be county superinten-
dent, find one in another county or another state.
l believe that county superintendent should
be college university graduate with normal
believe o11UnDtpS
higher institutions would make excellent county
superintendent but county superintendent can
be found among that number. Find pecu-
liarly fitted for that work. The State of Florida
pays a salary that will justify the employment
of d first class man. This should have ripe
successful experience in all the activities of the
public schools | do not especially hold to rigid
examination for those county SuperintendentS,
but the law should prescribe certain limitations
The county superintendent should be a business
man, an educated man, polished man with a
pleasing personality. Such men be found and
in justice to your children they should be found.
| am not in favor of anything until this can be
remedied. Then ready for the next move.
Employ such a man that by his past work we
shall know him.
Time after time we have attempted indirectly
and directly to place qualification upon these
offices through the Legislature and we have failed
because of the political machinery behind certain
county superintendent in the State Certain
county superintendent will say they are in favor
of qualification for the Office OF county supern-
tendent Do you know what they favor? That
qualification which will fit the county supern-
tendent i'll question. That is all. All bills have
been defeated looking to better condition in the
office of county superintendent.
If the people of the State of Florida and the
press will emphasize the NECESSITY for such quail
ficaton. then the legislature will give us what we
want And it will not be said of the Office of
county superintendent has been said concern
ing certain man who governor that the only
according n he
standards set up during that administration was
to be on the outside of an insane asylum or pen
itentiary. | am not that these qualifications
have altogether been met in each instance