Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-06-03
state SuPerinfendenf---Co schools
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| ihtendeht OF schools, should be elected on the
ground ofpolitical party considerations. We
observe that several democratic journals argue
with apparent seriousness, that political ortho-
doxy is an essential qualification for State Su-
perintendent, and hence it is insisted that no
man should receive the nomination for that
office, who is not fully committed to the in
terests of the Democratic party, and identified
with it. Such, it is intimated by some of
the leading party presses, must be the char
acter of the candidate presented at the nomi-
mating convention. By this, it is probably
not expected that the candidate for this high
and responsible trust, should Subscribed any
particular set of principles; for on this point
there is no agreement just now among the
party, as to what principles are of flndalnen-
tai Importance. 1t is simply meant, that the
candidate must go for the party-uphold and
support whatever measure or policy the party
for the time being adopts, and make the sue
cess of the party the primary object.
The Mdwaukee Morning Neacs is strong
ly in favor of a party nomination for State
Superintendent That journal says:
j ave see no reason why that officer Estate
Superintendent should not be a party NOM
inee, that does not equally apply to the Gov
ernor."
Now it is not matter of necessity, that a
candidate for governor should be the nomi-
nee of partizan convention; bnt assuming
such to be the case, it does not follow that a
Superintendent of Schools should be. The
Governor is part of the law making power
the public policy of the State is shaped in a
measure by his administration. Nothing of
this kind invests the office of State Superin-
tendent of Schools. The means and the mea-
sures for advancing the interests of education
are not matters ivolving political differences
of opinion, any more than the growing of
wheat or corn, or the building of roads and
bridges. If there is fitness in State SUI
perintendent's being elected by political par
ty, then there is equally as muchtha the dis
trict boards in each school district should be
nominated and elected on party grounds; al
so, that in the employment of teachers, an in
vestigation should be made in respect to their
political creed, and a preference given to those
whose opinions are on the side of the domi-
nant party. The interests which are commit
ted to school officers, whether State Superin-
tendents, town superintendent, or school dis
! trict boards, are the same; if single good
reason can'be assigned why political conside-
rations should enter into the election of any
one of these, then it applies equally we'll to
all. By no truthful augmentation can they
be separated. Their spheres of action may
differ in degree, but the general policy and
the ultimate object to be gained, are precise
ly the same. 1t is agreed, that in order to
insure the success of our common schools, a
uniform course of policy and a united CO.
operation between superintendents, district
boards, and teachers, is essential. How pre-
posterous, then, is the plea, that part of our
common school Reorganization should be thrown
into the arena of political combat.
If, then, the reasonings of some of the po-
litical presses in this State, as to the propre-
ty and importance of making the election
of State Superintendent, a party question:
are sound and logical, then it legitimate
/ ly follows that all the common schools in the
State may proftably be committed to the
control of party. Let party politics govern
in the election of district school officers, and
in the selection of teachers. If it will besuch
a blessing to our educational interests to have
a genuine democratic State Superintendent,
then the blessing may be greatly multiplied
by having NIL the lesser officers down to the
district clerk, of the same political stripe. 1t
is certainly a curiosity to observe what won
derful potency some editors pretend is con-
tanned IN given political organization. I'm
der its fostering influence, learning can be
made to flourish: the dullest intellect bright
en- up; the most stupid scholar, grasp abstruse
mathematical problems; and idiotic children
speedily become sane and wise. Who can
tell, according to the estimate of these
men, how much the cause of education in
Wisconsin has lost, and to how much higher
elevation our common schools might have at
tanned, if politics had only taken these great
interests Of the people, in hand! Ncy, all
those who entertain these exalted notions of
the inherent virtue of politics, will of course,
join in with a hearty good will for an out
and out party State Superintendent of Schools
at the next fall election.
We are hopeful however, that good COM
mon sense will prevail over misguided party
zeal, in the selection of a imam of suitable quail
ification for the office of State Superintend-
ent. There is growing sentiment among
the people, that something more essential than