The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1872-04-09
Communication from State Super;n-
tendent Wickersham.
OF COMMON SCHOOLS,
HARRtsBURo, APRIL /, 1872.


Mr.. EDITOR SIR: On the first
Tuesday of May next, conventions of
school directors will assemble at the
county seats Of the several counties of
this Commonwealth for the purpose of
electing County Superintendents of
Common Schools, for the term of three
years, commencing on the first Mon
day of June. At the same time there
will be held, if the respective boards
of directors so dicide, in all cities and
boroughs possessing 1000 inhabitants,
special elections for the election of
City and Borough Superintendents of
Schools for the same length of term as
that for which County Superintendents
are to be elected.
There are now serving in the State
81 County, City and Borough Super
intendents, to be increased probably
bly, at the forthcoming election to 50
or more. The importance of the in
terests intrusted to the officers can
scarcely be over-estimated. Pennsyl-
vania viii have 100000 children to
educate in public schools during the
next three years, and her annual ex-
penditures for school purposes will
most likely average full Sl0,000,000.
Whether these children shall be well
taught and trained or otherwise /;
whether this vast sum of money shall
be judiciously or injudiciously expend.
ed will depend very much upon the
men about to be chosen TO eli the Office
of Superintendent, for it will be ad-
mitted BY all who reflect upon the SUBJ
ject that as the Superintendents so the
teachers, as the teachers so the schools,
and as the schools so in good measure
the social and political condition Of
the people.
In view of these facts, and appre-
ciatiDg the power of an intelligent
Press as an agency in creating right
public sentiment, feel it my duty 10
ask you to impress editorially upon
your readers, both school directors
and citizens, the importance Of secur-
ing the very best man that can be
found willing to accept the office Of
Superintendent of Schools in your
county. No other Office probably has
relation so vital to the interests f
the people. Persuade the members
of the convention, if you can, to lay
aside all extraneous consideration and
allow their choice TO be determined by
merit and merit alone.
Pennsylvania has within the last few
years placed herself proudly alongside
the foremost educational States. She
is taxing herself for educational pur-
poses as heavily as any other State in
the Union. She is pouring out her
money for the elucation of her chill
dren most generously, and it is the
high duty of all who have to do with
the official management of schools to
see that every dollar thus contributed
brings back the greatest possible re-
turn of that for which it is given. Our
people are willing to pay for the best
schools, and we must have them. Let
none but men fully qualified be placed
in the Office of Superintendent, and
the rest is guaranteed.
Hoping you will be willing to lend
your aid in calling attention from
time TO time, through your columns, to
the matter herein brought to your no
tice, | am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
}. H. WICKERsHAM,
Supt. Com. Schools.