The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-03-25
The superintendency.


drawn from Republican holders and en-
joyers, and given to members of his own
party We do no. know that anybody
comp planned of this. 1t was expected, and
acquiesced ln, as thing of course
Whatever may be said of the democracy,
as party, it was never fergetful OF Its
own interests. 1t was true to its coustitu-
ent members always; never ashamed to
bestow its favcrS on its own family, and
never making any show, or pretence OF
magnamity to its foes.
When Gov Packer went oat, or in the
spring preceding his going out, he gave
the able State Superintendent of Common
Schools, Mr.. Hickok, the privilege of re-
signing. Mr.. Hickok resigned, and the
present incumbent, Mr.. Burrowes, was
appointed in his stead. We regretted
this. Hr. Hickok, was the ablest, the
most indefatigable worker in the cause
of Common Schools in the State. He
had entered upon bis Office in dark and
trying period of the cause, had overcome
great obstacles, uprooted prejudices, and
fairly set the machine.a-going. But he
was not democrat y Nor would he stoep
to hide his political opinions on any pro-
per occasion for revealing them. Yet be
was not politician. He meddled with
no.man's belief, nor did he promulgate
his own except in proper places. But
democracy demanded his removal. He
was removed, in polite way. There
were no charges against him. We do not
suppose Gov. Packer objected to him
personally. But Gov. Packer was only
the agent of power behind the throne.
We now desire to call the attention of
Gov. Curtin to these facts and to sug-
gest that rctributive justice is the eDly
sort of justice to deal out in cases of this
kind. We know no great i'll, in partieu,
lar, Of Mr.. Burrowes but then, we knew
no i'll Of Mr. Hickok. Yet Mr.. Hickok
was removed Why should not Gov.
Curtin quietly send into the Senate the
name of seme excellent Republican, and
so quietly remove Mr. Burrowes We
are not aware that Mr.. Burrowes has be-
come a fixture, nor that he has distin-
guIshed himself greatly in his official ca
pacity. He is not entitled to any favors
above other men of like capabilities and
attachments. And the State has dozens,
or scores of men as talented, and as well
adapted to the position as he.
The above article which serves to in
troduce a recommendation of Prof Chas
r. Coburn. of Bradford county for the
position Of Superintendent, we copy from
the Toga Agttator. And below we pub.
lish a letter to the Harrisburg Telegraph
proposing the re,appointment Of Nlr
Hickok. If Republican is to be selected
no one better fitted ior the position car
be found than the man who engineered
the Common School system Of this State
through its darkest period, aud who wher
he had just begun to see some of the gooc
results of his labor was removed for opin
ions sake. We have known Mr.. Hickol
since 1853 and have always found hin
earnest and active in whatever he under
took. We hope Gov. Curtin will conside
the claims Of our first Superintendent
and re-appoint him.
Several respectable gentlemen have
been proposed through your columns 70
the office of superintendent Of Common
| Schools in the State. Allow me to add tn
name of Hon Henry G. Hickok to the list
Under his recent administration of tha
office, our educational system for tht
masses received greater impetus, 10 eff
cheney and popularity, than during an.
similar period Of time since its inception
His was transition period, full of th
most anxious cares aud onerous responsi
bilites, requiring man Of peculiar quail
tiles to meet and mould every obstacle
The time and energy devoted to the emer
gency by Mr.. Hickok-not only IN tn
executive duties OF the department a
home, and the meditatiors OF privat
hours, but also IN travelling, by night am
by day, over nearly every county 10 th
State, addressing (often when hardly abl
to stand) scores of the largest aud MOS
intelligent audiences-cannot be readil,
estimated, but were most timely aud val
uable in placing the system upon a so2ic
and unchangiag basis. Although Mr.
Hickock's s reappointment was urged b
, those best acquainted with our common
schools and with his merits, Gov. Packe
saw fit to bestow the honor upon one Q
his political friends. Justice to the man
and Difference to the wishes of those mos
identified with the system, point to Nj
, Hickok as the one who should be restores
to station he so we'll and acceptabl
t filed. AS to the great question Of th