Page:History of Public School Education in Arizona.djvu/43



As shown in an earlier chapter of this study, the development of the public schools began with the administration of Gov. Safford. He created the Arizona schools and then became the Moses to lead them out of the wilderness toward a better organization, with increasing appreciation of their value, growing attendance, and developing resources. Unfortunately his work was retarded by ill health, so that he resigned the governorship about April, 1877, and was succeeded by John P. Hoyt as acting governor. Then came, on June 12, 1878, the appointment of John C. Frémont as governor. It has been said that Frémont never regarded this appointment “as worthy of his ability and fame,” but, however regarded, the evidence is that Govs. Hoyt and Frémont were of little direct service in advancing the cause of the schools.

The progress of education in Arizona during the period beginning about 1878 was, as McCrea points out (p. 101), more closely connected with the material development of the Territory than with the personnel of the officers, as had been the case during the earlier period. Rich mines were being discovered, and two railroads now traversed the Territory from east to west. These roads made its mines accessible, opened its resources, and led to great immigration. The population more than doubled in the eighties, and more people meant more school children, more school revenue, and of necessity better schools.

The law of 1879 made it more possible to collect this increased revenue. This act was itself an innovation and improvement on the earlier school acts. Its most important change was one which provided that a superintendent of public instruction should be appointed by the governor “by and with the consent of the legislative council.” In 1880 his successor was to be elected by popular vote; he was put under a $2,000 bond; was to hold office for two years; and received under this law a salary of $1,000, which in 1881 was increased to $2,000.

37