The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-10-18
THE COUNTY SuPERiNTEND-
ENCY OF SCHOOLS.
THE RELATIVE CLAIMS OF THE
CANDIDATES.
a Few Facts for Parents.

] he interests oil education are oI huch II"
portaucs TO the community at large, that 1t
would be a very desirable contamination II
politics could be banished entirely when a
choice is to be made for men to fill the Leaf
ing positions o! our school system Such
has been the wise course pursued IN our
CITY. With a large democratic ma ority,
We believe our School Board is largely CON
posed of republicans, though we believe no
one has ever cared to inquire the politics OF
the honorable gentlemen who compose that
| body. Ths great object is, to get good men
fo- such places, who are qualified Tor their
dutieG, and who will faithfully carry them
ont. The same policy should be adopted
! in regard 70 the school matters OF the couh
ty. We think this sentiment will meet the
appreciation OF all parents, or others who
have the education Of children in charge
So much for the welfare Of the common
| wealth can be accomplished by a we'll con
Quoted system Of schools, and so little can
be accomplished by poor system 30 much
| valuable time and treasure can be vast
| by improper mansgem 1nt--that it seems to
US that parents should insist that this sub.
iect be reserved from political arenas, AZ
something too sacred there to be lightly tn
fled With The only way to bring about this
necessary reform is to support for public
positions in our school system, the best men
tor the places, no matter which party puts
them forward,
The rival candidates for County Superln.
tendeut of Schools, are, Mr.. John Barge
nominated by the democrats; and Mr.. M.
NJ. Sturgeon, nominated by the republicans.
Let us examine their relative merits for that
position.
| Mr.. John Barge is native of Western
Pennsylvania, and is over fifty years Of age.
He was educated at Ashland, Ohio, and
concluded his career as studeut by thor.
ough course at Granville College, Granville,
Ohio, then an institution of some celebrity.
Owing to the failure Of his fathers health,
when quite young man he found cares de
yoIving upon him more suitable for his ma
! turer wears. Leaving his students cloister,
he returned to his native town, and shortly
after commenced the profession of a teacher
by accepting a situation in the common
schools of kittanning, where he rendered
such satisfaction during a period of two
years, that he was given charge Of de-
t partment in the Kittauning Academy,
= which be held for eight years At the end
Of that time he determined to come west,
? and immgrated direct to Rock Island
P (l852l. Not getting employment here, he
taught one year in Davenport, at the end Of
which time he was offered position in the
-yG"o'a &C th;a city After remaining here
y, for some time, he was made acquainted wiu
better opening in McDonough county
z | Moving there he was made City Superin'
tendent of the schools of Macomb, the
B county seat. That position he filled for Two
years, when he was elected Su, erintenden
e Of tho schools Of the county. In 1862. {
was reelected to the same position, 81
gave general satisfaction throughout botl
y terms. His health then failing him, he re
, turned to Rock Island, where he has since
2 | resided. Hia health is now fully restored
= | aa4 he is of course desirous of resuminP
: his profession. DIR Barge is d man Of ii.ia
lily. and for thirty years has been q consls
tent member of the Presbyterian church
d 1t is UNNECESSARY to state that he is a mar
V of education and culture, and fully compe
? tent to fill the position for which he ha:
o been nominated.
r Mr. NJ. NJ. Sturgeon is a very young man
u and Unmarried. He can boast of an ex
~, tremcy limited common school education
but of course for this no blame can be at
b tached TO him, as he is so unfortunate as tC
/. have had no opportunity of pursuing reg
z uIar course of study of any kind His en-
J tire experience as a teacher ,cds during on
,. or tlco terms he serred in one Of tie schools
y at Camden. He has no knowledge what
n soever of practical life. In fact, half the
o male teachers in the county are more caps
t. bic of filing the Office than Mr.. Sturgeon
/. and far superior to him N practical knowl
C edge, experience, and literary sttainments
v We are unable to state wha. claims are pu
=. forward by Mr.. Sturgeon forthe place. w
r. are quite sure he is not capable of f ling it
Q Which will the people call upon to take
il charge Of the schools Of the couuty-sn ed
G ucated man of family, who enjoys the fruits
N of almost thirty years experience in teach
i ing and experimenting city and county
,s schools; or, raw, inexperienced, unedu
IS Gated young man, whose whole record in
is this line can be summed up in the teaching
e of school in Camden for few mouths7
% If parents and guardians would have oul
D. schools conducted on correct principles, lei
d them decide impsrtially between these two
4, candidates, taking into consideration aim
We ply their merits and qualifications for the
% position,