Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-10-26
EI.FAZFR ROOT.


the present Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton. am irnpelled by desire TO see justice
done 10 ask small space in your columns.
The office now filled by Mr. Root. rs every
ore probably knows, is OF recent origin; nos
a wear having elapsed SIEGE the Constitution
nj provision nade for IT'S establishment wHs
carried iato effect. At the time the present
incumbent entered upon hs duties. (thc first
of January last believe )every thing relating
10 education was in perfect state OF chaos
Order was to be made TO take the place OF
confusion. The cause Of education was, and
IS still, in its Infancy; but whether provision
has been made for rs healthy growth, whether
the labor devoIv;ng upon the head OF the de-
partneut of Public obstruction has been
suitably performed, and whether the results
of his efforts have been propertioued 20 the
means and facilities afforded, let few facts
determine
/. The first anA most important matter
that claimed and received the attention Of
this department, and upon which depend the
character Of cur schools sfor years TO come.
was the establishment ola general and uni
form system Of Common Schools. This
was Justly considered the foundation upon
which is to rest the future destiny OF our
commonwealth. The system was perfected
under the immediate supervision OF Mr.
Root, and stands forth, proud monument
OF ms perSeveYng iudusiry,-hls clear head,
and his knowledge Of tile wants OF the peo-
pie. 1t is a system combining the excellen-
cles Of all other systems with few OF their
defects; one which has received the unqua!-
flied concentrations of distinguished educa-
tiontsls throughout the land. This work alone
the basis Of all others IN this department
ought TO entitle him 10 our lasting gratitude
and present support
3 Under the direction of the Legisla
ture. he was required 10 prepare tor pubiica
ton the School Law of ths state, with ap
propriate notes aud explanations. This was
done; and although its appearance is no
compliment to the printer or paper maker
yet the contents are another testimonial OF
the ability and practical judgment evineedby
the Superintendent In II we have embodied
a fund of information. combined with minute
ness of detail that renders il Impossible for
a school officer to misunderstood the proSis-
ions of the Law.
3. In accordance with a further instruc
iilu Of the Legislature, Mr.. Root has visited
every county in the State, with the RECEPTION
OF one or two, occurring 10 the several towns,
rs listed in the formation of County Associa
tons, IN each c1unty, IN short. has devoted
ais entire time aud eiergies to the interests
Of education. Aud nos 1t Is asked, what be
has done The better gu. stion would be,
what has he not done, that should have been
done Is II said that he has not visited the
schools III the different sections of the state,
aud consequently has not become acquainted
with their wautsl Have we any evidence Of
any deficiency On ais part. in this respect
How many public schoob were there IN npr
ration in thls ouuIty al the time OF his visit
But there is another way of discovering the
IVA. % pEp lie
shility Of mis- visiting every school IN the
state. Teachers are the fair representatives
OF scho0is. whatever Is their character, vii
b. also that Of the school. In addition 10 his
visits TO every village, II my memory serves
me. Mr. Root attended Teach Is Ius;iture
at PiatteviIIe, where he eudeared himsefto
the teachers Of the mining region, and proved
himself just the man for the situation he oc-
cupiel.
But l will not trespass farther upon your
patience. Il his presence II this county did
not create an overifow'ug zeal ia the cnus-.
let the blame lie al the doors Of those who
refused 10 open their ears. who cheered linn
10 his labors, neither with their presence nor
their voice.
Finally. were there any further need Of
evidence in his favor, the action of both
Wing and Democratic Conventions, furnish
es all that is desirable. They showed their
appreciation Of his services by their refusal
TO set mp any one rs an opponent. The only
opponent in the field was, as is well known.
nominated by the Free Sollrrs, aud, although
rs a man. he may be uueXceptlunahIs, yet,
actin. upon the priacIpt- that 1.-The Iah0T7r IS
worthy of his hire that a man Of known
abilities is preferable 20 one Of untred abili
", do not see why Mr. Roof should be the
subject Of osfracism. Leaving these facts to
r 2 /, Ns4..
result viii net be complained of by
NEaITAs.
"Vertas' certainly must have misunder-
stood our intentions il he thinks we intended
to reflect uujustly upon the character or
ability Of Mr.. Root" Such was not our
intentions. but on the contrary, we consider
him a man Of uudoubled ability and unim-
peachable character, failing only in the quail
fcation Of impar,iug information to others.
Neither did we wish to represent Mr.. R. as
doing nothing ia the cause Of education; but
we are free to confess that we are satisfied
that bis past services are overestimated by
those who desire his reelection. With re
gard to his making himself acquainted with
the wants of the people by visiting schools,
it was never urged by US as his particular
duty, but that he has done so, is urged by
his friends in his favor. We would inform
'.Veritas' that there was at least one Public
School in this portion Of the country, at the
time Of his visit which Mr.. Root did not
visit. With regard to Mr.. BARRY's qualIf
cations for that Office. we would Only refer
+. TO several of the leading papers published in
this state, which appeared one year ago,
speaking in the highest terms Of his ability to
perform the duties Of the Office for which he
Is now candidate.
We regret very much, that 50 much feeling
should exist ~ relation to a candidate for this
office, buttruth comtels us to say that we have
NOT yet been convinced that Mr.. Roots servi-
r1s tn the STATE during The INST ysffr are sr