Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-11-06
From the Plattville Independent American.

From the Plattvine Independent American.
State superintendent Of Public Schools.
We regard the Office of Superintendent of Pub
lie Schools of our State as one of the most inn
portant which the people are to fill at the coming
election The fact that Mr.. BARnr, who has
been a prominent Free Soiler and strong Tenn
perance man, has sold himself to work for the
Barstow ProSavery Anti Temperance ticket, on
which he has place, is sufficient to destroy all
his claims for that Office Mr.. McMynn ran
two years ago considerably ahead of his tick
ct, and should now be voted for by all friends
of education regardless of party associations He
is greatly preferred by the teachers of the State
from whom he will receive almost unanimous
support But we only designed in writing this
to introduce an article from highly respectable
Teacher who is well acquainted with Mr.. Nc,
MYNN.
1.-The Office of State Superintendent of Public
Instruction is one of vast importance to the in
terests of the State, eiua as we'll Educational.
Our highest prosperity depends upon true ap
probation of the Public School They must be
formed, to very great extent the character of
our leading citizens. The success of the Public
School is founded upon correct public sentiment
No person sustains more prominent position in
the formation of such public sentiment, than the
State Superintendent The interests of the State
present and prospective, demand, therefore, the
election of qualified to mould public senti-
ment, and to give it right direction.
The requisite qualification are; lst, fl Thor
ough Education. This is absolutely essential in
the Teachers of the State, and he who is the
Principal Teacher may not be destitute of it.
2 Correct Business Habits Much important
business devolves upon the Superintendent, and
business affi citing the dearest interests of the
people.
3. fin intimate acquaintance rith the details of
instruction and School discipline.--Ths is doubly
important, the State Superintendent should la
Dor with, and for the good of the teachers of the
State. Through them, principally, he is TO reach
the masses of the people BY their aid and CO.
operation he give direction to healthy pub
lie sentiment By proper instruction, he may
make teachers better qualified for their work and
thus elevate the Public School. An acquaintance
with the Theory of Teaching is not sufficient for
the accomplishment of these ends but,
4th. He should be Practical Teacher,-one
who can give instructions from actual experience
and who can sympa,hize fully with the Teacher,
and thus possess an influence, other could
gain. That this influence may be of the right
stamp it is essential that
9Th The Superintendent should be a man Of Fir>
ed Moral Principle, not warped by prejudice: not
swayed by sectarianism, not blinded by love of
power not actuated by any selfish motives. He
should have end in view but the highest good
OF the cause of Education. and no reason for with
holding the best services OF his life.
Public sentiment is fashioned much by Popu
lar Lectures. The Superintendent should be
good Public Speaker.
These are some of the prominent Characters
tics of good School Superintendent Can
man possessing these qualifications be found
The candidates before the people are A. C.
Barry-a good Scholar and an interesting Public
Speaker. bat possessing little practical
knowledge of the Public Schools, and j G Nc.
Mynn, who mas been identified with the Public
School interests of the State for several years
pest-a man, who has done than any
other in the State, TO elevate the Common School
and to place il in its proper place, at the head OF
all Schools. la Mr.. McMynn we may find COM
education, correct business habits,
practical acquaintance with all the details of
Public Schools, large AMI successful experience.
manly vigorous thought, earnest and forcible
style of public speaking, deep sympathy with
the Teacher, and an abiding interest in the cause
of Popular Education While in no respect, he
falls below his opponent, in many of the most
requisites, he far surpasses him, and, this where
Mr.. McMynn is know, will not be considered as
at all derogatory to Mr.. Barry.
The only question that remains Is, shall Mr.
Nc Nvnn be elected Let the friends of Com
mon School Education answer at the Polls.
A TEACHER.