THESIS

Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Texas

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

MASTER OF ARTS

By

Theodore John Ratliff, B. A.
(Starks, Louisiana)

PREFACE

            It is the purpose of this thesis to record the services of John McNeese to public education in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, rendered while he was Parish Superintendent of Public Education between the years 1888 and 1913.  It is not its purpose to deal with John McNeese the man in great detail, but with the development of the public school system of Calcasieu Parish under his guidance.

            Sources of the materials of this thesis are the files of the Lake Charles Weekly American, of the Lake Charles Daily American, of the Lake Charles Press and of the Lake Charles American-Press; the Biennial Reports of the State Superintendent of Public Education to the General Assembly, the Proceedings of the Conferences of Parish Superintendents of Public Education for Louisiana, the Proceedings of the Louisiana Teacher’s Association Conventions and the Minutes of the Calcasieu Parish Board of School Directors covering the years of 1888 to July 5, 1913 inclusive, the  Records of the United States Department of War covering the period of the Civil War, the Register of State  and County offices of Texas for the year 1873, the Records of the Supreme Court of Louisiana and the Records of the Registrar’s office of Tulane University, and personal recollection of the friends and relatives of Mr. McNeese, particularly of his daughter Mrs. Emma McNeese Squires.  The chapter dealing with his last days is based on letters written by Mr. McNeese to his daughter Mrs. Squires.

            I have undertaken to weld all of this material into a connected story; telling how Mr.  McNeese arrived in Louisiana, as a cowboy on his way to New Orleans with a herd of cattle and through misfortune with his cattle remained to found a system of schools that still remains a model rural school system.

            Mr. McNeese was a pioneer in many phases of public education.  He was the first parish superintendent of “Imperial Calcasieu”, probably the first parish superintendent of Louisiana to devote his entire time to the work of his office, the first to attempt the transportation of children to consolidated schools, one of he earliest advocates of consolidation among schools, the first to attempt class room supervision among rural schools and among the early advocates of professional control of public schools.   He was certainly the father in Louisiana of the right the citizens of a local community to vote upon themselves taxes for the support of public schools.  Mr. T. H. Harris, State Superintendent of Public Education for Louisiana said of him, “He was the Grand Old Man of teaching in Louisiana for more than a quarter of a century.  The State owes him a larger debt of gratitude for his noble, unselfish services than it will ever appreciate.”

            The writer wishes to acknowledge with gratitude the help of all those who aided in any way the preparation of this thesis.  Mrs. Emma McNeese Squires loaned letters and other documents relating to her father, the staff of the Lake Charles American- Press permitted the use of their files, the staff of the Louisiana Library Commission furnished much material not otherwise available. Superintendent H. A. Norton and Assistant Superintendent H. M. Wells of the Calcasieu Parish public school system encouraged the matter and rendered valuable assistance to locating records.  Mr. Vivian G. Jackson, graduate student of he University of Texas, rendered invaluable aid in proof reading the manuscript, Dr. C. F. Arrowood of the University of Texas helped and guided in the actual preparation of the thesis and gave it whatever merit it may have.  Many others whose names cannot be listed here, aided by encouragement and by supplying information; it is hoped that they will understand how greatly their aid is appreciated.

            Last but not least, I wish to acknowledge the help of my wife, Mrs. Catherine Grimes Ratliff, whose unselfish sacrifice of her own personal ambitions made the thesis at all possible.

PREFACE

CHAPTER I.     Early

CHAPTER II.     Calcasieu Parish in 1888

CHAPTER III.     McNeese’s First Term as Parish Superintendent of Public Education, 1888-1892

CHAPTER IV.    McNeese’s Second Term as Parish Superintendent of Public Education, 1892-1896

CHAPTER V.     McNeese’s Third Term as Parish Superintendent of Public Education, 1896-1900

CHAPTER VI.     McNeese’s Fourth Term as Parish Superintendent of Public Education, 1900-1904

CHAPTER VII.     McNeese’s Fifth Term as Parish Superintendent of Public Education, 1904-1908

CHAPTER VII.     McNeese’s Sixth Term as Parish Superintendent of Public Education, 1908-1913

CHAPTER IX.      Last Days of John Mcneese

CHAPTER X.      The Progress of Education in Calcasieu under John McNeese

            It has been said that if one should stop at the gates of a shipyard anywhere in the world and call, “Hello, Mac!”  from one to a dozen sons of Caledonia would answer.  Of such ancestry came John McNeese, the subject of the sketch.  Family tradition (1) says that his father, William McNeese, came of an old shipbuilding family of Scotland and that his mother, Mary Beechman, was also of Scotch descent.   The same tradition says that when the subject of a marriage between William McNeese and Mary Beechman was mentioned to the McNeese family bitter opposition was encountered.  Sufficient to say, the thing dear to the heart of the writers of romantic fiction followed; an elopement to America.  The newlyweds landed in the city of New York where the young husband found employment in the shipyards.

            To them were born three children, John on July 4, 1843.  Nothing is known of the childhood of John McNeese except that he lived in New York until the early death of both parents following which representatives of the McNeese family in Scotland offered to take the three orphans to Scotland and care for them on condition that they have nothing to do with their mother’s family.  Two of the children apparently accepted the offer but John elected to remain in America. 

            He was taken into the family of Dr. Stafford of Baltimore Maryland, and provided with the  best educational advantages that Baltimore offered, though of exactly what these advantages consisted there is no record.

          The first authentic written records concerning McNeese are those of the United States Department of War. (2)  These records recite:                      

            "John McNeese was mustered into service September 30, 1861, as a private in Co. E, 1^st Regiment Eastern Shore Maryland Infantry, to serve three years, and was honorably discharged February 25, 1864, to enable him to reenlist as a veteran volunteer.   
            He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer, and was mustered into service February 26, 1864, in the same organization, as a corporal.  He was
transferred to Co. D, 11^th Regiment Maryland Infantry (exact date not shown); was transferred to Co. B, Second Maryland Infantry June 27, 1865 and was honorably discharged July 17, 1865, a corporal."

            In 1866 McNeese, who at this time was supposed to have been a victim of tuberculosis, was supplied with means by his foster father, Dr. Stafford, to migrate to the west in search of health.  He moved to Menard County, Texas, where he established himself in the mercantile and cattle business. (3)  Either he did not have tuberculosis or the life in the open and the arid climate of Menard County effected a cure, as there is no further mention of the disease in any subsequent records.

            After the county of Menard was organized, he became District Clerk, being elected in November 1872 and commissioned February 8, 1873. (4)  No other record of him is found in any of the subsequent Registers between the years 1874 and 1886.   

            Apparently he did not serve a full term as District Clerk because in a statement to the newspaper given at the time he retired from the office of Parish Superintendent of Education of Calcasieu Parish in 1913, he stated that he come to Louisiana late in 1873. (5) In a letter to his daughter, Emma, written in 1913 he refers to the panic of 1873 and its effect on his fortunes. (6)

            The manner of his coming to Louisiana and settling is unusual enough to be worth relating in detail.  It is said that in 1873, he and several other men started on a cattle drive form Menard County to New Orleans for the purpose of finding a market for their cattle. (7) They made the drive over a dry range until they reached the Sabine bottoms, where a number of the cattle became lost in the swamps and were not recovered.  The majority of the remainder of the herd, being long without green food, ate to excess of the rank growing swamp cane and died.  The cowboys found themselves on the east bank of the Sabine without cattle enough to justify continuing to New Orleans and without means of returning home to Menard.  They did the only thing possible under the circumstances; they sold what cattle remained and took whatever employment lay at hand. 

            This was in the day when the itinerate writing and singing school flourished in the rural districts of the South, and McNeese, being a skilled Spencerian  penman and a singer of no small ability opened one of these schools at Hickory Flat, near the present town of Oberlin,  Louisiana. (8)  While so engaged he boarded at the home of William Bilbo, one of the early settlers in that community.  Among the members of the Bilbo, family was a daughter.  A courtship between the erstwhile cowboy and Susan Bilbo followed.  The wedding took place July 4, 1876, which was the thirty-third birthday of the groom.  It was a typical wedding of the time and place, the whole community attended, while piles of cakes, pies, barbecue and other refreshments, usually found on such occasions, were served in the open air to the wedding party and guests.  There followed a honeymoon on horseback, visiting the neighboring settlements and homes of the neighbors.  The young husband enlarged his teaching field and was soon teaching private subscription schools in the community.  Lake Charles was recommended to him as a thriving town where schools were desired, and Mrs. McNeese having relatives there, they moved to that place and opened a school.

            Louisiana was just at this time beginning to recover from the Carpet Bag regime and public schools did not exist outside of the larger cities, or if they did exist, they were poorly taught by poorly paid, poorly trained teachers in poorly equipped buildings. (9)  The report of the State Superintendent for the year 1869 states there were in Calcasieu Parish two thousand, five hundred and thirty- six children of school age but not a public school in the parish.  The only money distributed in the parish for public schools was a salary of two hundred dollars a year to the Parish Treasurer for acting as Parish Superintendent.

            The same report for the year 1872, the year before McNeese arrived in the parish, states that a school board had been organized with John A Spence as President and A. H. Moss as Secretary and Treasurer. (10)  Because the Secretary failed to send his annual report to the State Superintendent, it was difficult for the State Superintendent of Public Education to get an accurate view of the school situation, but it was reported unofficially, that there were twenty- three public schools in the parish with and enrollment of five hundred and twenty-three pupils.  The schools were kept in operation for a part of the year, the teachers being appointed by the President of the Parish Board.

            Under such conditions, the people who wished their children educated did it in one of several ways; they taught them at home, employed private tutors, sent them from home to schools and colleges, or organized local subscription schools.  

          It is said that when Mr. McNeese  expressed a desire to enter the law school at Tulane, his wife sold some property which she had inherited and used the money to help defray the expenses of the family in New Orleans.(15)  Mr. McNeese was also employed by a Chicago book concern while not attending classes.   Mrs. McNeese regretted for the remainder of her life that he did not enter upon the active practice of law.

            The records of Tulane University of Louisiana show that he graduated from the law school of that institution with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1887, but they reveal no other facts regarding his career as a student. (16)

            The records of the Supreme Court of Louisiana do not show that he ever received license to practiced law, but there is evidence to show that he did have such license and was recognized as any attorney. (17) There is in the possession of the writer an unidentified newspaper clipping listing him, along with another person, as having been admitted to the bar.  Mrs.  Emma McNeese Squires states that she recalls distinctly that

            Her father acted as attorney for several people in civil matters, particularly in settling of estates, after he became secretary of the Parish Board of School Directors.  There is also in the possession of the writer a hand written copy of the Civil Code of Louisiana, which Mr. McNeese copied while a student at Tulane.

            Having briefly traced the career of John McNeese up until he assumed the office of Parish Superintendent in 1888, let us glance at “Imperial Calcasieu” as it was at that time.  If the reader will examine a map of Louisiana as it is today and imagine the present parishes of Calcasieu, Allen, Beauregard and Jefferson Davis, in one political unit with Lake Charles as the parish seat, he will have a map of the Calcasieu Parish of John McNeese’s time.

            The population included from the descendants of the original Spanish and French Creoles and the picturesque French speaking Acadian who guided his cypress “pirogue” along the streams or his long tailed pony over the prairies of the southern part the parish, the hustling “Yankee” who had been persuaded by the land agents to forsake his home in the North and settle in the “Italy of America” and grow rich raising rice on cheap land of the same prairies, descendants of the Anglo-Saxon pioneers who had drifted in from the older southern states and last but not least these same people of Indian descent known as Red Bones who lived among the great pines of the northern part of the parish.

            The chief occupations were farming, stock raising, hunting and fishing for the market, trapping for furs, and lumbering.  Along with these went he supplementary occupations of buying and transporting the products of the country and of supplying the citizens with such goods as they did not produce at home and such services as they could not render themselves.

            Although the public schools of Louisiana had their origin in the state constitution of 1845, public education in the state prior to 1900 was extremely limited. (23) While there had been some forward steps, educational progress was painfully slow and the schools woefully inadequate.  The reasons for this slow development are to be found in the poverty of the people, the devastation caused by the War Between the States, the civic trouble resulting form the era of reconstruction, and the lack of educational leadership.  But for these conditions and events, the establishment and development of an adequate system of public schools would have probably been earlier accomplished.  As it was, the basis was laid for the common school system of Louisiana only about 1900.

McNeese’s First Term as Parish Superintendent of Public Education, 1888-1892

            As previously stated the Minutes of the Parish Board of School Directors began with the year 1888.  In the Minutes for September 8, 1888, we find the following:

            "On motion by C. D. Welsh, duly seconded, John McNeese was nominated for the office of parish superintendent.  On motion by Mr. John H. Poe, the nomination was closed.  Mr. McNeese was unanimously elected."

            Apparently, the Board did not meet with any degree of regularity because there is no record of another meeting following the election of Mr. McNeese as superintendent until July 6, 1889, but he did not spend his time in idleness, for when the Board convened on that date he was ready to give them some facts regarding the school system and outline a program of work.

            At this meeting the following report was made by the new superintendent. (25)

            "There are six schools in the parish that open for six months in the year, three that open for ten months, and two open for six months.  There are six schools with teachers salaries varying from $25 to $30 per month.  Since November 1888 there has been spent $670,500, an average of 188 months of school at an average cost of $35.00 per month."

In what parts of the parish these schools were located the report does not say, but evidently none of them were as might have been expected, in the city of Lake Charles, because at the same meeting of the Board a committee of five citizens was appointed to solicit funds for the erection of a school building in Lake Charles.  The funds when collected were to be paid over to a building committee.  The President of the Board was authorized to borrow $1500.00 to pay for labor and material for the school building, the lot and building to be mortgaged for that amount as security.

            The School Board did not have the authority to levy taxes directly for the support of the public schools but the Police Jury, which is the governing body of the parish, was permitted to make donations to the school’s funds.  A news story giving the proceeding of the Police lists under Disbursements a donation of $3,000.00 to the parish school funds. (26)

            The teacher’s institute was a favorite means of calling the teachers and others interested in schools together for the purpose of discussing school affairs.  The newspaper cited above has the following to say in regard to one, which was held in Lake Charles in June of 1889: (27)

            "Mr. McNeese, the parish superintendent of education, followed with a short but excellent address.  In a conversation with Mr. McNeese he said that most of the teachers present were natives, only one, Mr. Peasly, out of a number of Northern teachers, being present.  We concluded from our observation last Saturday and the energy that Mr. McNeese is putting forth in his work, that a power of good will come of it."

Mention of these institutes is common in the press of the time.

            In October of the same year, the same paper carried an editorial praising the work of the public school system and urging the people of the parish to support the schools. (28)  An announcement is made of an entertainment to be given for the purpose of raising funds to furnish the school building then under construction.

          On January 4, 1890, Superintendent McNeese rendered to the Board his first annual report. (29) At this meeting he reported as follows:

            "The year has entailed upon me many duties, most of which have been onerous, because of the change in management of the schools, and the endorsement of the same.
            I have found it difficult in some cases to get along with the people as to the location of the schools, because previous to my experience as superintendent no limit was put on the number of schools that might be located in a ward, and an effort to limit the number of schools when left to the people tended to create factional strife. Therefore, I recommend that the Board locate the schools through the superintendent.  The trial of local directors as a means of help to the parish Board has been very satisfactory on all of its details.
            My plan has been to leave the school of each district to the patrons, not to be influenced by the teachers or other outside parties.  In all cases where I found dissension, I appeared in person and completed the organization.
            I have had trouble in many cases to prevent people from one district participating in the organization of another.  I maintain that people can vote only within their respective districts.
            I have been successful beyond my expectations in my efforts with local directors in procuring their cooperation in supplementing the local funds.
            The condition of the school houses through out the parish is 500 percent better than when we visited them last year, but yet, much is to be done,  in the same direction to make the schools at all comfortable.
            I have been instrumental in bringing about harmony in a few cases where strife seemed inevitable, though in no wise affecting the dignity of the school board.     
            In every case, I have refused to give a certificate to any applicant when I knew him to be morally disqualified, though ever so competent otherwise, and always required the teachers’ qualifications and experience to be equal with the want of the school to be taught.
            I have held four institutes, three of which have been largely attended and the people in every case petitioned them oftener.  In fact, it seems as a general thing the people are destined to lead the teachers in this important work.
            My visits to the schools in different parts of the parish  have been of inestimable value to the public school interest as such has stimulated the people to renewed energy because they appreciate the fact that  their interests are always the object of careful consideration on the part of the parish Board.
            The principal part of my visits to each school is spent in addressing the children upon the importance of estimating morality as an inseparable and indispensable part of what constitutes Christian character.
            Before concluding, I freely acknowledge that what ever may be the extent of my success, it was reached through the instrumentality of the Board under whose undivided support I have acted.

Respectfully submitted,
John McNeese"

            There are points in this report deserving special comment.  It is interesting that two schools had terms longer than ten months, that some schools only had accommodations for teaching writing, that there were more boys enrolled than girls, the reverse of conditions today:  and that log building were in use in thirty schools.  Mr. McNeese’s conception of supervision, as reflected in his statement of how he  spent his time when visiting schools is in contrast with his later ideas on this subject, as well be clear to the reader as he follows the history of Mr. McNeese, his later practices show a marked progress.

            One of the problems which faced McNeese and which has persisted down to the present time is that the holdings for speculative purposes by non-resident land owners of large tracts of land without making any effort to develop them.  This undeveloped land is assessed at a low valuation for taxation purposes with the result that the country does not progress and the schools are deprived of a great deal of revenue.

            The School Board attempted to make this land bear its share of the burden by a resolution calling upon the Police Jury to assess all non-resident owned land at its full value for taxation. (31)  Evidently the Board was beginning to realize that the method employed for raising revenue, that of calling upon the Police Jury, for donations, was an unsatisfactory one; for the following week, May 26, 1890, they passed a resolution calling upon the state legislature to pass a law permitting parishes, municipalities, and school districts to levy special taxes for the benefit of public schools. (32) The law was not passed at this time but was enacted later.

Before February 1890 there had been no provision made for an office for the parish superintendent and he was forced to use one of the rooms at his home to transact official business and as a place of deposit for his records and a meeting place for the Board and for teachers who might call to see him on school affairs.(33)  At a meeting of the parish board held on the date cited, the following resolution was passed:

It was not until several years later that the office of Parish Superintendent was recognized as being of sufficient importance to be provided with quarters in the parish courthouse.

            It might be of interest to notice the sources and amounts of the revenues, which the school board received for the support of he schools during this time.  The sheriff, who is ex officio tax collector in Louisiana, collected the taxes, delivered them to the parish treasurer of the school funds.  The following is a report of the school treasurer to the Board for the quarter ending March 31, 1890. (35)

State of Louisiana
Parish of Calcasieu
March 31, 1890
W. L. Hutchins, Treasurer of the School Funds.

Quarterly Report

Disbursements

W. L. Hutchins, Treasurer.

After the Board had accepted the treasurer’s report, the following resolution was passed:

            "Whereas, a quarterly report of the secretary of the Board corresponding with the dates of the treasurer’s report is necessary for a full investigation of the finances of the school funds. 
              Therefore, be it resolved that the secretary is requested to make such reports in the future.  The said reports are to set forth the different warrants indorsed by him for collection by the treasurer, as well as all warrants attested to for collection against the treasurer by the secretary.               
              The report of the building committee was received. The following process verbal of their supervision was ordered, read, and spread on the minutes.

Process Verbal
            We, the committee appointed by your honorable body to superintend the erection and construction of the Public Free School building of Lake Charles, beg leave to submit the following report as a process verbal of the transactions pertaining to said building from the beginning until received by us.
            At a special meeting of the Board held on June 7, 1888, a resolution was passed to the effect that $1100.00, the amount due the white children of Lake Charles, and an amount of $1402.50, being the amount subscribed by the citizens of Lake Charles, making in all $2502.50, be formed into a building fund for the erection of a Free Public School building for the white children of Lake Charles.
            At the October meeting in 1888, a resolution was passed authorizing the president to purchase a certain block of land for school site, and at the next regular meeting, the president reported that the amount of $800.00 had been paid for said block of land.
            At a regular meeting in January, 1889, a committee of five was appointed upon plans and specifications and probable cost of the contemplated building and at a special meeting on January 18, the committee reported the dimensions of said house, and at the same meeting said committee was authorized to have plans and specifications prepared in accordance with dimensions adapted and to advertise for bids.
            At a special meeting on March 9, the Board accepted the bid of Messrs. Bradley-Ramsey Lumber Co., for $1126 for the material.
            At a special meeting on March 30, the bids of Messrs. Curley and Robinson being the same, a vote was taken which was as follows:  Wm. Curley three votes, H.L. Robinson two votes.
            The election of Mr. Curley being made unanimous the contract was awarded to him, according to the plans and specifications on file, for $3350.00 as per contract duly entered into, and bond was given with approved security.
            At a regular meeting on April 6, 1889, a building committee of five (of which this is the report) was appointed by the Board, three to constitute a quorum, to superintend the progress of said building to completion.
            At a special meeting on April 17, 1889, the president was authorized to accept the contract on the part of the Board, which was done according to law.
            At a regular meeting on July 6, 1889, a resolution was passed that all money up to date due the white children of Lake Charles be placed to the credit of the building fund; and at the same time the president was authorized to procure a loan of $1500.00 to pay for the work and material used on the building under construction.
            The building was completed as per terms of the contract, on the 23^rd day of October.  Your committee formally accepted same and released the contractor from further responsibility.
            The following is a statement of all amounts disbursed from the beginning of the enterprise until completed.

Respectfully submitted,
A. Thomson
J. W. Bryan
Jas. P. Geary"

       The Board then passed a resolution accepting the report of the committee and authorized the president to issue a warrant to the Bradley-Ramsey Company as part payment on the amount due them, to be paid from the first funds available.  After appointing the Lake Charles Echo  as the official organ of the Board, it adjourned to meet April 12, at 7:00 P. M.  The minutes are signed by A. Thomson, as President, and John McNeese, as Secretary.

                The following news item in regard to a state institute to be held in Lake Charles appeared: (36)

         "Prof. D. D. Boyd, President of the State Normal School has announced a state teacher’s institute to begin here June 23, lasting five days.
          Deeming this appointment fortunate at it will enable me to better carry out my own institute work, I most respectfully request the teachers, school officers and friends of educational progress throughout the parish to attend, thereby giving encouragement to the enterprise, in return for which the entertainments will be both entertaining and instructional.
           The purpose of the meeting is not for the examination of teachers, but a normal school on a small scale, at which teachers will hear lectures on all subjects pertaining to their profession. 
John McNeese, Parish Supt."

            At a meeting of the Board held in July 1890, after routine matters were disposed of, they took up for discussion a recent requirement of the State Board of Education that all teachers be required to pass an examination in physiology and hygiene. (37)  After some discussion it was agreed that the first week in October be set aside as the time for all teachers to appear for the required examinations.  It was decided that all teachers making an average grade of between fifty and sixty should be classed as primary and receive a salary not to exceed thirty dollars a month, all teachers making an average grade between sixty and eighty should be classed as intermediate and receive a salary not to exceed forty dollars a month, and all teachers making an average grade between eighty and one hundred, should be classified as grammar grade and receive a salary not to exceed fifty dollars a month. 

            The new school building in Lake Charles was to be opened for use on Monday, September 15, 1890, with the expectation of operating the school for eight and one half moths.  Commenting editorially on the opening of the new school the American said:                     

            "The opening of the institution will mark an era in the development of Lake Charles.  It will be a long step in advance when this school starts out.  It is the intention of the School Board to employ four teachers in the beginning and add others as the school may require." (38)

            At its regular meeting in August 1890, the Board stated that since they had already appropriated $1000 for the support of the school in Lake Charles and the City Council had voted to contribute the revenue derived form tax of one and one half mills levied against all real and personal property in the city, it was their purpose to open the school on or about October 1, 1890, therefore, they proceeded with the election of teachers for the school. (39)  The teachers were to be: a principal to be paid seventy-five dollars a month, and first assistant at fifty dollars a month, and one second assistant forty dollars a month, beginning October1, 1890. A vote of thanks on behalf of the school children of Lake Charles was tendered by the Board to the City Council.  The Police Jury having raised their donation form five thousand to seventy-five hundred dollars a year, a vote of thanks was extended them also.
            Prof. Dolby was elected as principal and superintendent and Miss Crossman and Miss Jenkins were elected second assistants. (40) It appears that the position of first assistant was left vacant at first and that these three constituted the entire faculty for the first two weeks, at the end of which time another teacher was added.  At this meeting, the Board formally set October 1, 1890, as the opening date of school.

           A news item published one week after the opening of the school stated that the school had opened with more than two hundred pupils enrolled and more were coming daily. (41)

            It soon became apparent to the Board that an additional teacher would be required, so that on October 16, they met in special session and elected A. S. Vincent as first assistant teacher. (42)  While the records do not so state, it is assumed that he received the salary of fifty dollars a month, as provided for in the resolution of August 2, 1890.

            A change in the grades required for certification of teachers was made in October of 1890, when the Board adopted the State Board of Education system of grading and certification of teachers. (43) All teacher making above average of eighty-five on the examination were to receive a first grade certificate, a grade of seventy to eighty-four, entitled one to a second grade certificate, a grade of from fifty to sixty-nine entitled the candidate to a third grade certificate.  This not only raised the requirements but the new terms, first, second, and third grade certificates were not so confusing as those earlier in use by the parish.

            If the proverb “ No News is Good News” is true, the schools of the parish must have progressed smoothly during the months of November and December of 1890 since there are no news items in the press relating to the schools during that time, and the Board did nothing but attend to routine matters.

            In January of 1891, Jas. P. Geary was appointed to interview the Lake Charles town tax collector and determine what amount of the city taxes had been collected and when the amount set aside by the town council for the schools would be available. (44) Mr. Geary was to report to the Board at the next meeting on Monday, January 5.  At the same meeting, official notice was taken of the fact that small pox was present in Houston, Texas, and the city council of Lake Charles was called upon to pass such resolutions as they deemed best to prevent the spread of the disease to Lake Charles.  The Board petitioned the Council to provide free vaccination for those notable to pay for it.

            Apparently, there was some attempt at supervision of the city schools on the part of the Board through a visiting committee as on the special meeting of January 5, 1891, such a committee made a report, which is as follows: (45)

             "The President and Members of the Parish School Board.
               Gentlemen:
               We, the undersigned visiting committee to the Lake Charles Public School, beg leave to report that they visited said school January 5, 1891, and found every thing working satisfactorily.
                It is true, however, that several teachers are over-crowed with pupils, and we are satisfied that another teacher is necessary and would recommend the employment of another without delay, were we satisfied that there will be sufficient means to meet the extra expense.
Respectfully,
J. W. Bryan
John H. Poe"

            At the same meeting of the Board, Mr. McNeese submitted his second annual report to the Board, the report follows:

          "To the Honorable Members of the School Board of Calcasieu Parish.
           Gentlemen:
            I most respectfully beg leave to submit the following report.

           Statistics

                        I have up to date organized in the eight wards schools with local directors duly elected.

            During the year I have visited the majority of the schools in operation and found the people, children, and teachers advanced in interest. 
            I am glad to state that the disposition of the people throughout the parish to supplement even dollars with dollars is increasing; and I am convinced that as funds increase theirs will be in proportion. 
            The custom heretofore prevailing of allowing so much money to each school according to the grade of teacher is becoming nominal, as the people are growing in disposition to ask help from the Board while making up the other half themselves, thereby tending to double the term.
             In my rounds, I find many new schoolhouses replacing the old ones and in nearly every case made double in capacity, with commendable efforts to make them commodious. Desks for penmanship, blackboards, maps and many other school apparatuses.  Now, in no case is there a school without a well, where formerly the schoolchildren in many cases drank branch or bayou water winter and summer.
             In my requests in behalf of the Board, for these compliances the people have met then without a murmur. 
             The local directors are becoming better acquainted with their responsibilities.  And not one has shown any disposition to                        avoid performing his duties.  The people and the teachers have, in almost very case, been in harmony.
              I have visited many localities especially to organize schools where the people have enjoyed the benefit of public schools, stayed with them until such organization was completed, ready for the commencement of school.
              I have also visited many townships having 16^th sections to their credit, gave them instructions how to petition for an election and how to carry on the same.
              In visiting schools in operation I have been fortunate in many instances to meet with most of the patrons, my subject always education, the subject matter itself, its effect and the plans to raise means for its perpetuation. (46)
              During the past year, I have held several district institutes and one parish institute; also helped the State Normal to propagate its work generally.  These institutes have been instrumental in doing much good and experience in shaping them more for the teacher’s good.
              The institute for the State Normal held here last summer has shown its effect, as every teacher that attended went to his school room toned up to do more and better work.
               In giving certificates of qualifications I have at the bottom of each given a report of the committee showing the percentage in each branch, so that the teacher’s grade may be known by the local directors.
               I have also added to the books of my office an account of the 16^th section accrued interest to the credit of each township, carrying a copy of the same with me in my rounds, always informing the people of the amount to their credit.

Recommendations.
Before concluding, I wish to make the following recommendations:

1.   That the superintendent be required to grade schools according to the grade of teachers.  The law provides this.
2.   That is cases where schools are nearer than required by law, the same be discontinued, except those allowed by express permission of the Board.
3.   I think it would be a good idea to give the teacher a certificate of attendance for every institute attended, with the understanding that the production of said certificate would be regarded in their favor when applying for promotion of grade.
4.   That the superintendent be authorized to engage the services of an expert institute manager to conduct a parish institute during the summer months at Lake Charles, requiring all teachers to be present.
5.   In conclusion I will say that this report is not as favorable this year as last, because I have not been able to start as many schools this November as in November of last year.
6.   But next year will be, without a doubt, a year of large and good results educationally, as we will be able to spend at least $5000.00 more than last.

            It is needless to say that anything relating to the results of the indefatigable energy of the school board in providing a school building and an effective corps of teachers in the city of Lake Charles, as the real friends of education must admit more has been done under the circumstances than could be expected. 
             I tender my sincere thanks to the Board for the manner in which they have helped to make me strong in the performance of my duty, and in every case, I have told the people that while I was the executive officer of the Board, I was their servant.  
             I am deeply thankful to the Board, because of its lenient disposition toward me when, at times, admonition might take its place, and I sincerely hope my future as superintendent may be as pleasant as the past.  With much respect, I am

Very respectfully your obedient servant,
John McNeese

As follows is the Treasurer’s Report:

DISBURSEMENTS

Moved that the above reports be received. Adopted.
A. Thomson, Chairman."

          At a special meeting held in January of 1891 the Board resolved that since the expense of the Lake Charles school was already very great that a janitor would not be employed but that the auxiliary visiting committee should make arrangements to provide for the cleaning of the building in some other manner. (47)  The committee decided to adopt the plan, provided by law, of collecting one dollar per year from each patron to provide fuel and incidentals.

           In spite of the fact that the City Council of Lake Charles had voted to allow one and one-half mills of the taxes collected in the city for the support of the public school the Board seems to have had some difficulty in collecting the money.  At a special meeting the following letter from the district attorney was read: (48)

            "To the Hon. President and Members of the Board of School Directors for Calcasieu Parish.
            Gentlemen:
            The undersigned begs leave to submit this, his report, concerning matters instructed to him, and against C. Brent Richard, Tax Collector for the town of Lake Charles, La.
            In pursuance of your resolution, suit was instituted in the name of your president against said Richard and judgement (sic) was rendered in your favor for the sum of $492.75 with five percent interest thereon from Feb.2, 1891 until payment, and judgement (sic) of non-suit was given you for the remainder of your demand.
            The case was appealed to the Court of Appeals Third Circuit, where the judgement (sic) of the lower court was affirmed. Mr. Richard has exhibited to me the receipt of the school treasurer for this money, less his 5% commission, which I presume the report of the treasurer shows.
             In accordance herewith I present my bill for services rendered amounting to $45.15, being 5% of $903.00.
Respectfully,
R. P. O’Bryan
Dist. Att."

            At the same meeting, the superintendent was authorized to make all arrangements for the conducting of a summer institute by the State Normal faculty.  The sum of twenty-five dollars was appropriated for the expenses of the superintendent to attend the annual convention of parish superintendents at New Orleans, in June.

            A resolution from the Little River District Institute protesting against a recent ruling of the Board that all teachers be required to teach a calendar month rather than a school month of twenty days was presented to the Board and read into the minutes.

            Mr. McNeese attended the Fifth Annual Meeting of Parish Superintendents of Louisiana, held at New Orleans, June 2 to 5, 1891.  There he read the following paper. (49)

Calcasieu
            "This year has been for Calcasieu a fruitful one educationally. Our Police Jury raised their donation from $3000 to $7500.  The last census gave us 7258 educables, where as previously we had been drawing for the amount of children taken from the census of 1880.
             The majority of the schools throughout the parish have been supplementing the public schools funds liberally, contributing at least one third of the amount expended for schoolhouses.

School Houses
            The schoolhouses taken as a whole throughout the parish are fairly creditable, being in comfort and appearance, and capacity 100 percent better than 4 years ago.  No school being granted unless writing desks, black board, and teaching apparatus furnished for within, while in no case can a school begin until a well is dug to furnish pure water.
            Lake Charles has completed nine months term in her building, completed last year.  The building, as furnished, costing $6000.00. Jennings has a fine new building, only second to that of Lake Charles. Welsh is preparing to build a schoolhouse, which no doubt will reflect credit upon her for years to come.

Teachers
            My new list of teachers is composed of forty, being examined since October 1, 1890, to comply with the enactment of 1888, in regard to physiology and hygiene.
            Most of the teachers have considerable experience having been educated in states where have been evolved the best systems of education.  
            All certificates issued since October 1, 1890, have at the bottom the percentage in each branch, including physiology and hygiene. There are three grades, primary, intermediate, and grammar.
            Most of my teaching force now, attend all institutes, and I have furnished each one a certificate to show attendance.  It being generally understood that said certificate will be considered in every case for future promotion.
            The compensation for services of teachers is regulated by the grade of certificates, primary teacher being paid $30.00, intermediate $40.00, and grammar $50.00, meaning in all cases where local directors do not make terms with teacher for less, in which case, length of term is increased in proportion.

Patronage
            The patronage of the schools throughout the parish is every year becoming more and more in earnest in the cause of education.  My institutes are generally held high in their estimation, at which they help to discuss the questions vital as regards the want of means for educational purposes.  An ample tax for the educational purposes would be voted almost to a man, and resolutions to such an effect have been passed by every institute held during my term of office, and I can say, and while I have been over and above conservative in dealing with school affairs generally, I carried all along my line of duty the sympathy of the people, both patrons and the friends of education alike.

System of Managing Schools
           Each school district, one on an average to every township, is controlled by three men appointed by the Board, or elected by the people, called local directors.
           They indorse the petition of the teacher to the superintendent before contract is entered into.  They visit the school at least once a week and inspect the teacher’s register.  At the end of the month before a teacher can draw his pay, said director must sign his report as correct.           
           They take every responsibility in the premises as if the Board were present to act.  They are furnished with printed instructions from the parish superintendent with additional information on all questions with which they are not familiar.
            Previous to 1888 each school had no organization, the nearest independent of the teacher were the subdirectors of each ward, appointed without regard to geographical distribution.  In some large wards they were not even acquainted, having never met for purposes of organization.

The Working of the Superintendent’s Office
            The Board of Directors for Calcasieu Parish has done much to make the duties of the parish superintendent such as to produce effects in the direction of progressive education.
            An office has been furnished, in which all documents pertaining to the school matters are filed.  The Superintendent, acting as secretary, keeps for the information of the public and the Board, all books possible to give desired information, among which are a thorough set of minutes.  A set of books to check each month against receipts and disbursements of the treasurer of school funds. A book giving the amount of the sixteenth section interest to the credit of each township, besides all others more peculiar to the office itself. 

Extent of Superintendent’s Office
            By terms with the Police Jury the superintendent is not to teach or follow any other business other than attend to the schools throughout the parish.  About twenty days in each month are spent in the field and about ten days in the office.
            The Police Jury found it necessary that, in spending $7,500 to provide that it be spent to the best possible advantage, and in a manner to effect such