Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1872-05-17
A Glance at Educational Affairs
in Iowa County.

"What can't be cured must be endured"
is an old suggestion and true one also /;
but the adage itself, nevertheless, implies
that there should be an effort made, and
that all means should be exhausted +; for
the word "can't" is strong word though
it may not be found in the Dictionary.
wish to apply the above to the pres
ent condition of our common schools, and
the interests of education generally in our
county. After having carefully considered
the matter in my own mind, and consulted
others, will offer the following remarks,
hoping they may be of some benefit to
the public, or, at least, may serve to
awaken those interested to sense of their
duties at present.
The efficiency Of our army depends
much upon its leader; the soldiers may
be brave and well disciplined, but unless
they have commander thai understands
his duties, dire results often follow his
mistakes. #
Iowa county may boast of an able corps
of teachers, fitted for the great work #
educating its children and youth, but We
regret the loss of our able leader, who so
faithfully administered the affairs of edu-
cation among us. We owe to him debt
of gratitude for bis able services in advan-
cling the cause Of education, encouraging
teachers to better qualify themselves for
their position, and for the promising ap-
pearance of the schools when he delivered
to his successor in office the responsibility
for the continuation Of the prosperity then
existing.
OF the qualifications of the present in
cumbent, have not had the opportunity
of Judging, and will make no reference
in that direction. have inquired and
have failed to learn of a single school that
has been visited by him in the towns of
Ridgeway and Arena; of other towns l
do not know. The law believe requires
that the County Superintendent shall
visit every school in the county at least
once year. If there existed an ilnposs;-
bility of his visits, think he should have
published the cause of his failure to visit
all the schools, and thus retain the conf
dencc and respect of both teachers aid
friends of education.
The spring examinations commenced a,
Arena, on the 18th of April. Owing o
this being the only one held in the north
ern or eastern part of the county, it w, S
largely attended, the school house being
much too small to accommodate those in
tendance; The alternative was, to furnish
those who could not find accommodation
at the school house, with lists of questions
to go elsewhere and do by them as well as
they could, trusting to their honor, that
no fraud would be practiced. Tie char
acter of the questions was such that old
teachers felt no anxiety about the result,
and some that had engaged schools that
WetS W oSSiu III II IA ii, CuSSiS0 GPoH efeH
duties, doubling not that soon they would
receive certificate For reasons that |
am not able to give, no report was had
from headquarters" until april 9th, and |
[ learn of one teacher who had taught tu O |
weeks in the meantime, being an old teach |
er, she had no fears until she learned of
her failure, and was consequently obliged |
to resign her school. Young boys and |
girls "A or 10 years of age have received
certificates with good standing thereon.
while the. above instance is hut one of /
several that have been brought to my no
tice of the failure of experienced teachers.
The results of this are rapidly manifesting
Those boys and girls offer
20 teach ~ for wages ranging from So
o II per month, while they have never