Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-12-11
Charles City, Iowa, Dec. II. 1862.
Executive of the Board of Education.

We have received from the Educa
tional Bureau at Des Moines the fol
lowing circular letter, showing that
our very worthy and excellent Sccre
tary, Col. Benton, who by the Consti
tuition is the executive officer of the
Board of Education, has accepted a
commission as Colonel of one of the
new regiments of this State, and is
about to enter upon new field for the
maintenance Of the rights and inter.
ests of Iowa and Of our common coun-
try-the field of war. Much as we
regret to spare Colonel Benton, even
temporarily, from the head of the cd
ucational interests of the State, we
are exceedingly gratiiied to know that
he has entrusted the business of his
Office to such competent and trustwor-
thy hands. Col. Wiltsc is gentle.
man of equally large educational ex-
perience with Col Benton a gentle
man of sterling worth and universal
ly popular wherever he is known. Mr..
Coulter, the capable aud efficient dep
uty, is to remain in the office, and it
does not appear that our educational
affairs can in any wise suffer on ac-
count of Col. Bcnton's absence.
The question has been raised as to
whether Col. Bcnton's acceptance of a
military appointment does or does not
create vacancy in the Office of Sec
retary of the Board of Educatian. to
be filled by the Governor, as is the
case with State offices. This oues.
ton appears to have been decided by
the Governor in the negative, and we
have no doubt the decision is correct.
The constitution provides that the
Secretary shall be elected by the Board
of Education, whereas State officers
arc elected by the people therefore
the office of Secretary Of the Board of
Education cannot be regarded as
State Office within the meaning of the
statute relating to vacancies aud APP
pointments, any more than that of
President of the State University and
offices of like character.
Below is the circular letter alluded
to:
OFFICE OF SECRETARY or BOARD OF EDUCATION
Des Moines, November 1, 1862.
To County Superinteadents and School officers:
| have made arrangement with Col
H. A. Wiltse, of Dubuque, to take
charge Of the Office during my absence
from the State. lie is fully empower
ed for the time being to discharge its
duties, and to receive as campensa-
tion for his services its entire emolu
ments. He will devote his time ex-
clusively to its management, and will
be assisted by my Clerk, Mr.. Lewis !.
Coulter, who has been connected with
the Office for some years, and is famil-
lar with the general routine of busi-
ness and my views and constructions
of the law on the various points most
likely to give rise to controversy.
An intimate acquaintance Of sew
cntccn years with Col. Wiltse, enables
me to assure the friends of education
that he is fully qualified for the posi-
tion, and will discharge the duties of
the Office with ability, promptness and
fidelity. He was for twelve consecu-
tive years President Of the Board of
Education of the city Of Dubuque. and
supcrintended the construction of the
public school buildings and the estab-
lishmcnt Of the excellent system of
public instruction for which that city
is noted. He is a gentleman Of fine
executive abilities, q good lawyer, and
an energetic, concise business man.
Guided in his general department by
the sacred principles of Christianity,
he will bring to the support of the
great interest Of popular education
that moral influence which is so essen
tial to its existence. You will find
him ever ready to respond to any in
guiries you may wish to present in
connection with your official duties,
and to render you every possible facil.
ity in the administration Of the school
system.
All official communications will be
directed to the Secretary of the Board
of Education as heretofore, at this
place Mr.. Wiltse is fully authorized
TO answer them. Should you need
any additional copies of the law, or.
der them, and they will be forwarded
without delay.
embrace this opportunity of call,
ing your attention to the consolida-
ii II of the two educational periodicals
heretofore published in this State
The Iowa Instructor, at Davenport
aud the School Journal at this place
The new periodical is now known as
"The Iowa Instructor and Schoo
Journal and is published at this
place by Mills Brothers. 1t is the or.
gan of the State Teachers Associa
tion, and also Of the State Department
Of Education 1t is edited by the un
dersigned aud the Chairman OF th.
State Teachers Association, assisted
by an able corps OF practical teachers
l am highly gratified with this ar
rangement, not because my name il
connected with il. but because the ed
ncational interests of the State dc