Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1867-10-29

1
questions. He kept the questions
about week, tried for a first grade
certificate, forwarded his examina>
ton papers, and falitA to obtain
frsf 9rade certificate, Int was Grant
cd second.
Again in he fall OF &c, Mr.. Brooks
attended the examination at Boseo-
bel. His course at this examination
was quite as peculiar as at the previs
o1s one, but Of different nat~re.
After he had received q question
paper. he would retire from the room
Tor some time; and this occurred so
often as 10 excite remark upon the
part of teachers present, causing the
question to be asked, mere than once,
whether or not these Withdrawals
from tho room were for the purpose
Of obtaining the necessary facts. This
time he succeeded in getting q first
grade certificate. vi ich he now holds,
state these facts because they were
omitted by the Notary Public" If
the holding ofsuch certificates, o6~
| tanned IN a uag that no other teaehG
in the county has euor tried 20 ottdh
one, qualities a man to discharge the
duties of superintendent. no DOUBT
Mr.. Brooks isqualified. The people
must make their own differences. 1t
they want convincing evidence OF
Mr. Brooks scholarship, let them
demand the publication cerbdttm OF
| M. Brooks examination papers which
are on file in the Superintendents
Office, also of the speech that he mado
when he accepted the no"ainatlon.
In justice to Mr.. Pnrman | must
state that the facts, which have here
stated, were not communicated vols
unfairly, but in reply 10 demand
(Which | or any other teacher has
right t. make1 for inform alton con>
corning the certificates which Mr..
Brooks holds.
But scholarship is not the only
thing to ue taken into consideration
before choosing man TO take charge
of our educational interests. No 9th
cr officer CHOSEN by the people exer~
else so direct an influence over their
own welfare, and the welfare Of the
rising generations as the superintend
ent of schools. 1t is claimed taat
the teachers should have all of the
qualifications, both natural and acs
quired, that are desirable for the
child to initiate or possess. In
word "Fhe teacher should DO, what
we wish the children to become"
What then should be the qualifiea.
tons of him who is to mould and
fashion the teachers, give them advice,
encouragement and assistance, awak-
en- their enthusiasm, and instill into
their hearts the influences that they
will throw around their pupils. !
know that every father and mother
who thinks Of the close relations that
must necessarily exist between the
superintendent and their children,
will decide at once that scholarship is
not the most important qualification.
They will decide too, that man has
no more right to invite himself into
such an office, than he has to come
unasked into tho family circle.
Now let me ask, does Mr.. Brooks
possess the necessary qualifications ?
Is the man who resorted to false
hood aud Islander in order to get the
nomination for this office fit to hold
it?
Is the man, who has no more de-
cency, principle or honor, than to
seek to deprive man, who has been
disabled in his country's service, of
the means ofsupport for his family,
fit to be set up as an example for
teachers and students to pattern af,
ter ?
Finally, when a man has sh
himself so ignorant Of manly prinei-
pies, and so void of every sentiment
Of honor, as to persist in trying to
thrust himself into position where
he will be required to officiate over
those who have expressed such a de-
cided aversion to him as the teach
ers of this county have to Mr.. Brooks
the right kind of man for Super
intehdent That Mr.. Brooks did 90
about the country trying to foster
dissatisfaction against Mr. Purman,
that be did not talk, that the teach
ers were dissatisfied With Mr.. Pur>
man, and that he did resort to other
mean devices in order to get tho
nomination, are charges that have
been publicly made without denial.
When the teachers throughout the
county heard of the mination.
there was general outburst of in
dignation. Nearly forty immedi~
ately signed resolutions nominating
Mr. Pnrman as their candidate. Over
one hundred names are now aft xed
to those resolutions This action
was not taken without due considers
alton. The teachers were not actu-
ated by either personal or political
prejudice. They have met Nj
Brooks in conventions, and IN the
social circle, and they do not feel
that he is IN any respect qualified to
I'll the position TO which be aspires.
They do not want to 90 to such
man for counsel, or assistance. they
do not want him criticise, commend,
or exercise any authority over them
In their work, and above all, they do
not want their reunions at teachers
Institutes broken up, which will Ger
talnly be done if Mr.. Brooks is chos,
en- to preside over them.
There are other and still more inn
portant considerations connected
with this question
Hardly any county in this state has
attained to that excellence in pub
nc schools that Giant County has:
Our superiority in this respect is att
tributabIe in the main to the faithful
and efficient efforts Of Supt Purman.
Shall we retrogade Shall we sink
into the condition we were in ten
years ago If not, we must noe
discard an able and worthy officer
for one who would at best be OK
tremely risky.
For the benefit Of those who arc
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