Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-01-19
RUNNING WILD.

The State Department OF Education
seems to be running wild, and school
people through West Virginia are urg-
Ing II on, with little consideration for
the taxpayers who must carry the bur-
den.
A meeting Of county school superin-
tenients was held in Char eston q week
or two ago, and unrestraind by any idea
OF economy and with no conservative
to raise his voice, the school people
went right ahead with plans for further
campaigns Of spending. At a banquet
in which everybody seemed to be hav-
ing a most Joyous time in anticipation
Of increased salaries and unlimited
money, Tax Commissioner Walter S.
Hallanan proudly announced that the
State school expenses have increased
100 per cent in the last two years.
There was great applause at this
statement.
Then Captain Geo. M. Ford, State
vi oSnOolo,
his intention of going before the next
Legislature and asking for "still more
liberal provisions" for schools and
school teachers and school officials.
Captain Ford expressed the hope that
the Office OF county superintendent OF
schools be more fully recognized, and
said he would advocate salaries as
high as $4,000 year for them.
At this rate, it may readily be seen,
another 100 per cent increase in school
expenses may easily be brought about,
or even 200 per cent.
1t has not been generally considered
that the county superintendent Of
schools have been underpaid Of recent
years or overworked. Yet they were
encouraged to demand additional sums
for clerical help and travelling expenses.
Nine of the Hfty-two county SUI
perintendents admitted that they had
not asked for such expenses. They
were made to feel ashamed of them
selves for being so modest.
There are a few counties where the
county courts are "antagonistic," to
use a word heard in the conference,
and in one county-Putnam- is
found public opinion" against the
action, according to w. w. Smith, coun-
y superintendent OF that county.
"The people of Putnam county want
10 cut out all clerical help for ali
county officers" said Mr.. Smith, en-
phasizing that public opinion" has
much to do with the carrying out of
enacted laws. "The people of Putnam
county are opposed to anything that
costs anything"
We are not surprised at the people
of Putnam Directing to paying some
body else to do the work Of the proper
ly constituted officers elected for that
purpose. We suspect the same condi-
ton exists elsewhere.
Pa mer Keesecker, county superin-
tendent of Berkeley county, explained
that the county court of that county
was allowing him $500 a year for
travelling expenses and 500 a year
for clerical assistance. The law pro-
vides for S276 a year for clerical as
sistance in that county, which has 90
schools. The advice given Mr.. Kee-
seeker was to do the State service
by getting decision from the cir
cult or Supreme Court at the expense
OF the county court of Berkeley coun-
ty. Capt. Ford, State Superintendent,
advised: Don't let people say boob
at you and get so scared that you 90
and hide behind leaf"
Instead OF the Berkeley county court
being commended for its efforts at
economy. Captain Ford's advice is to
sue it!
The Register always has stood, and
does now stand, for liberal expendi.
lures for school purposes. But we
submit that there ought to be some
limit to the extravagant ideas that are
being promulgated in West Virginia
Just now. The long suffering tax
payers have SOME rights that ought to
DC respected, even by the State school
officials.
Public Sales.
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