The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-01-08
rFSEE FIRST. THIRD FOURTH PAGES -
Board Of Educntion--Thomas II. Benton.


The Board of Education Of the State of
Iowa, closed its labors on Saturday, 18th
of Dec, after a session of twenty days.
As the Educational system of the State IS
exclusively under the control OF this body,
their acts arc of unusual significance, and
we hope they have discharged their duties
MS became men fully impressed with a
knowledge of the Importance Of their
mission. The Des Moines Citizen says
"they have preserved all the leading features
of the Educational system adopted by the
late Legislature, and at the same time made
important amendments and changes, calcu-
lated to simplify the machinery Of the law,
and remove some prcjudiccs against it,
They believe the system to DC 4 good one,
and that a fair trial will commend it to the
favor Of the State, and advance the cause
of Education"
The Board held, that under the Constitu-
ton, the Office of Superintendent Of Public
Instruction was abolished, and that the du-
ties pertaining to that Office were to be
performed by the Secretary Of the Board
Acting upon THE under standing, the Boart
passed IN act providing for the election Of
Secretary, and defining his duties. Said
Secretary is to be elected ut each regular
meeting of the Board, and to hold his Office
until his successor is elected and qualified.
Thomas II. Benton, of this city, was elected
Secretary of tho Board, for the ensuing
term. II the Board were as fortunate in
all their efforts to act Understandings and
for the best interests Of the cause Of
Education in the State, as they wercin their
selection of Executive officer of the Board,
then are we sure they have perfected an
Educational System every way worthy of
this young and prosperous State. There is
no man in the State better qualified, or who
could bring to the discharge of the duties of
that Office, more extended and valuable
experience, than Thomas II. BENTON. We
congratulate the people of Iowa, upon the
selection, by the Board Of Education, Of n
person SO thoroughly qualified by experience,
to discharge the multifarious duties attend
ant upon careful and elaborate supervis-
ion of the practical workings of the Educa-
tional System of the State. To show in
what appreciation our fcllow-townsman is
held abroad, we quote from the Des Moincs
Citizen Of December Goth. 1t says-"Al-
though several excellent names were pre-
scented to the consideration of the body, that
of Thomas II. BENTON, Of Council Bluffs,
seemed to unite large ma ority Of the
members, rs soon rs it was suggested. The
testimony of the investigating committee as
to the manner in which the affairs Of the
Office Of Superintendent of Instruction were
kept, while Mr.. BENTON held that place
and the favorable influence he oxerted upon
the educational interests of Iowa, by his
inlcfatigable labors, were considerations
that could not fail to weigh with n body
deeply impressed with the responsibilities
devolving upon the Secretary Of the Board.
-hT. DENION Will tIlTON tue
whole energies Of an active, systematic, and
well disciplined mind, into the duties Of the
Office, and summon q valuable experience to
his aid. Viewing the matter thus, we can
not but conceive that the Board acted wisely
in the selection of Mr.. BE>ToN, who has
consented to accept the post, although not
m applicant for it,