Chapter VII.
FURTHER GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT DURING THE TERRITORIAL PERIOD, 1899–1912.
During the remaining years of Territorial life there were four separate administrative periods, filled by three individuals. These superintendents and their terms of office were:
Robert L. Long, second term, who succeeded A. P. Shewman on February 27, 1899; appointed March 19, 1901, and served till July 1, 1902, when he resigned.
Nelson G. Layton, July 1, 1902; reappointed January 30, 1903, and resigned January 1, 1906.
Robert L. Long, third term, January 1, 1906, to March 6, 1907; reappointed and served to March 17, 1909.
Kirke T. Moore, appointed March 17, 1909, and served till the admission of the Territory as a State. He was succeeded by Charles O. Case, March 12, 1912.
In the eyes of Gov. Murphy the schools were in excellent condition in 1899. In his message of that year he says:
The university at Tucson and the normal school at Tempe are highly creditable institutions, and of incalculable benefit to the Territory. The managements show a very high order of ability, entirely satisfactory to their patrons. The advantages of an advanced educational system can hardly be overestimated. Our common schools can not be excelled anywhere in the Union.
Since such was thought to be the condition of the schools already, the governor naturally contented himself with what had been accomplished. He failed entirely to make any proposals for a wider usefulness for them.
The first act of this legislature looking to the schools was one enacting a new compulsory school law. This law differed little from the acts of 1875 and 1889. The length of attendance required was 12 weeks, against 16 in 1875; the exemptions were liberal and generous and could be met by almost any person who wanted to keep his children out of school, and while prosecution and fines were demanded against slackers, there were no special funds or special officers provided for its enforcement.
An act making for progress was one “to establish free public libraries and reading rooms.” It applied only to cities of over 5,000 inhabitants, and provided for an annual tax (after the proposal had been accepted by a majority of the taxpayers of the city) of not
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