Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-03
THE GOVERNOR AND THE SCHOOLS

Evidently there is to be merry battle between
Governor Richardson and the public school machine of
the state of California It is we'll that We have so e
ceient fighter and SO strong character as Governor
Richardson to the battle else might be lost
before it commences for there is not more strongly
ntrenched organization in the state than the school
politicians Outcome of the battle might be predicted
by glance at the fighting mug of the governor but
II IS made more certain when recall that the COVER
nor has graduated from the position of state treasurer
and knows whereof he speaks when he takes up the
question of school finances.
The place which the public schools hold in the af
fectlons of the people, the intimate contact which is
possible tor teachers to establish with the home
through the medium of the child; the sentiment and
the traditions which all entertain because of our
own training and education; all these have contributed
to make the public school the most powerful influence
IN the country as in fact it should be- but of this
touches the soundness of the principle laid down by
the governor when he says Educators should be left
in control of educational matters but sound business
should be in control of expenditures
Acquaintance with the facts will support the
contention that sound business has been
In control of school administration. To satisfy him
self of that fact does need to go farther than
his school district for extravaganza and ineffic-
ency OF administration are almost general rule In
most cases the information be quickly supplied bv
trip to any public auditors office with the old tax
bill with the request that analysis be made of the
proportion which school costs bear to all other costs
of public business.
Governor Richardson may expect to be charged
with an assault upon the bulWark of liberties and
sinister attempt to undermine the little red school
house,, the foundation rock of free government The
governors Amercanism is sound enough that no one
need worry on this Governor Richardson is not
going to harm the public schools at all. No propagan-
da to impair the quality Of the public schools gain
any Roadway in California because the Amercanism of
the people is too sound for that The only thing that
harm the public schools is subtle and nsid-
ous disease eating at the heart of the system such as
the governor is uncovering and for which he is pre-
pared to apply the remedy.
This is what Will Wood, superintendent of public
instruction. charges will be the outcome of Governor
Richardson's budget if enacted:
THE educational budget presented by Gov. Rich
ardson Is gruesome jest at the sincerity of campaign
pledges 1t represents what is evidently deliberate
effort to sarve the institutions of the State Depart
ment of Education that train teachers for the
school. Either the Governors budget for the Depart
ment of Education is woefuy inefficient or hopelessy
extravagant. welcome chance to make this clear
cut issue.
"The budget practically wrecks the Department of
Education of this state which is recognized through
out the nation of the most progressive efficient
aud economical
Here is what the governor said on the subject
when transmitting the budget
The recommendations made for the schools are
undoubtedly greater than they should be, but it has
been my purpose to be liberal in the matter of educa-
ton Extravaganza in educational matters has riot
during the past few years Politicians in the guise of
educators have squandered the peoples money with
lavish hand and have denounced advocates of thrift
enemies of education.
"A great political organization has been built up
which has cost the people immense
but has added little to the value of education
given school children. The laws have been cunningly
amended so that supervisors school boards and boards
OF education have little control the expenditures
of school money and hence cannot check extravaganza
The people are loud in their protest indicated by
hundreds of complaints received by me, but they
unorganzed and unable to cope with the schemes of
certain political educators.
THE expenditure of school money in this state
must be put on business basis and the schools
not only teach but practice thrift. Educators should
be left in control of educational matters but sound
business men should be in control of expenditures