The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-07-13
Letter fsonn A. Brovvn,
~ GASsAviLLo, july 1st, 1859.

a. L. HICHARDsoN,
Dear Str LIN your issue Of he 2etR
ut, in an article headed Candid asi
see my name mentioned as candidate AFthc
office Of Superintendent, Now, sir, with
all due respect to yod, and my constituents
generally, I decline the honor Of being
candidate for that or any other Office
The effect Of Office, on some, has been 70
make them corpulent in person and parse,;
but on me the effect has been sr0ctly the
opposite. Perhaps if possessed as san.
guine temperament as some persons, l
might hope that fortune might change and
some dimes stick to my pocket, (and per.
haps flesh to my boncs,l but you know the
old saying, "a burnt child breads the fi,e'',
l was elected TO that Office year ago last
April, and went to work with hearty good
will, for the Advancement Of the cause Of
education and the elevation Of our common
schools to the position which they OUGHT 10
occupy, trusting to the Board Of Presidents
to give me q fair compensation for my ser
vices. We'll, the Board met on the 18th Of
May last, and fixed the salary Of the Super
intendent at the lowest possible figure the,
had the power to reach, to wit: one half the
salary of the District Clerk, Or $502.~-
After paying the expenses attendant upon
the office, there was not enough of the
salary left to support my family by more
than hundred dollars.
Now, Mr.. Editor, I claim to possess as
much patriotism as the majority Of men,
and am ready to "do and suffer" as much
IN the cause Of education as any one in pro
portion to my ability. but il. confess 4 ,aan
too poor to stand the infiicdon Of that oH1ce
q second term. 1t is fact, that every
State, and every community, has at q Ger
tain period of it's history, pursued most
niggardly, injurious and suicidal policy TO-
wards schools and school systems. That
we now occupy that position is evident from
comparison of salary Of school officers
and teachers, with the salary Of other Off
GERS. The salary of Superintendent il one
half the salary Of the District Clerk! Tho
former has to provide himself with en- Office
and fuel for the same, has to pay at least
ten dollars postage, and (if he is dctsr,nin.
ed to do his duty properly from ten to
twenty dollars printers bill.--expense Of
attending a convention Of Superintsndsnts,
(Which last year was held at Iowa City,)
not less than twenty dollars--expense
of keeping horse and buggy, or livery
hire, tavern bills, &C., &c, enough to- use
up about three fifths of his salary; whilst
the latter is free from all tlcse erpenscs--
gets $l01S salary, and the duties Of the
office not half so arduous and perplex:ng
as. those of the former Teachers get on
an average mt the rate of $115 per year for
females and $24O for males; whilst County
Treasurer & Recorder gets his S10l8 per
year, with every thing furnished to his
hand, and plenty Of, clerks paid by tie
county to do the work
When my term expires, on the last day
of December next, l think shall have SUI.
fered as much from this policy as can rea.
sonably be expected Of me. Perhaps some
friend thought that by associating Crosby
with mo, we might together stand it another
term. But if understand Mr.. Crusby's
views in regard TO- such matters, heprefers
a apriuate to pnbtte station where both pay
equally well, and am sure he will stick 6
the former whon it pays twics or thrice as.
much rs the latter.
should regret being under the necessity
of declining, did not feel assorcd that there
will be u good show of candidates for the.
office (ditto for every other 0f.ice) SO that
there is nc danger Of its being left vacant.
That b ling the case, my regret farms to pity
for the unfortuDate, who is doomed to b
elected, unless he is wealthy or has some
other business that he can make aya,isble
to help support his family if he Is SO forth.
nate as to possess one.
Aeubtlrss the friend who suggested TIN
ideaaDf coupling Mr.. Croshy's name witA
vsssiyssos ,sasts 5,sD
Of partnership in county Offices. But
notwithstanding the suggestion, I aec,incf
do, positively. .zs -, ~
+ Yoars, &C., 81 Il