Alabama. Illiteracy Commission

Sources:

Thomas M. Owen, History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography (1920).

A permanent State executive commission, created by the legislature, February 9, 1915, "for the removal of adult illiteracy in Alabama." It is composed of five members, both men and women, including the State superintendent of education, who is exofficio a member, appointed by the governor, "for their fitness, ability and experience in matters of education, and their acquaintance and its various communities." It is a body corporate "with all the powers necessary to carry into effect all the purposes of" the act creating it. Its officers consist of a president and a secretary-treasurer, elected by the commission from its membership. The latter officer is required to furnish bond in a reputable bonding company, in such sum as the commission may designate, for the faithful performance of his duties, and he may be removed from office and a successor appointed by the commission at its discretion. The members receive no compensation for their services nor expenses of any kind out of the State treasury, but may be reimbursed out of any funds which may come into the hands of the commission from other sources, for their actual traveling and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

It is the duty of the commission "to make research, collect data . . . looking to the obtaining of a more detailed and definite knowledge as to the true conditions of the State in regard to its adult illiteracy, and report regularly the results of its labors to the governor, and to perform any other act which in its discretion will contribute to the elimination of the State's adult illiteracy by means of the education and enlightenment of illiterate persons in the State. . . ." It is empowered to adopt such additional rules and regulations as may seem expedient for carrying on its business, but it must expend the funds coming into its hands in a manner and for purposes "in keeping with the general purposes" of its creation.

The Commission was abolished on 1919 Sept. 26 and its duties transferred to the Board of Education.