The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-12-12

the sentiment Of the people of this
county, that she was not elected County
Superintendent Of Schools. Her quali6-
cations for Office were confessedly Of
high order, and if woman was to be
permitted TO occupy the position at all, she
was admirably fitted to be the incumbent.
But the complications of last falls county
election were decidedly adverse to a fair
consideration of the question; her election
was opposed by some, even of the intelli-
gent dwell educated, on the ground of
their being against the election of women
to any Office; by others because they were
previously pledged to party candidates;
and by still others who thought her being
brought out as candidate at that time was
an unfair antagonlsm to previously an
nounced independent candidate for the
same Office.
All things considered, there is little
doubt but very considerable vote was
cast against the lady which she would have
received had her candidature occurred at
time when party consideration did not so
largely enter into the contest. 1t would
be wholly unfair, aud untrue, to allege
that those who refused to support her
because she was a woman are devoid of
intelligence, or understanding, or we're
exclusively foreign born citizens, or be-
longed to any particular class or national
ity; it would be equally mistake, under
the circumstances, to say that in conse-
quence Of her defeat the people Of this
county have recorded their verdict against
electiDg women to Office. 1t
will require a much more direct aud
accomplished Issue to be decisive of that
fact
The election Of members Of the Board
of Education in this city will early afford
another opportunity to the friends of fe-
male ofice-holding to renew the contest,
aud there are many intelligent and liberal
minded citizens who would like to see the
question, for once at least, fairly tested.
The subject is Que which cannot be lightly
dismissed, as with a simple waive Of the
hand; or repressed by arguments deroga,
tory TO female capacity aud worth; OF
counteraeted by long and preiudicod hom-
lies about wOmon's sphere of action and
usefulness, and her inferiority and subQr-
dination to the masculine gender. Public
sentiment, among English speaking people,
is slowly but surely progressing in favor Of
enarging her pursuits and her political
rights--especially 30 in connection with
public schools; aud this sentiment is con-
tinually strengthened from the very fact.
that, so far as the opportunity has been
afforded, in no known instance has her ad-
vancement to Office and participation 10
school affairs been detrimental to public
interests.
The following, taken from the St. Louis
Republican, is worthy Of attentive peru
sal.
If woman has any place in politics, it il
quite plain that her nature and peculiar
line Of talents must fit her more for tina
branch OF the government which has chargt
of the educational system than any other
This fact is 80 far self-evident that it ma
be accepted as an automatic truth, tina
women are better adapted to the manage
ment of schools than for any other publ
duty. The truth of this is, indeed, S
generally recognized that except in fey
rare instances, there are no other fields q
public labor in which positions are file
by popular elections to which women hav
been advanced 10 all the time that th
active agitation of woman's rights ha
been going on. In England and New Ems
land, some notable experiments have bee
made in the choice of women as schOt
trustees, and the success of the exper
ments has been such in almost every tris
to appear to justify the further statemeI
that women are not only better fitted fC
this than any other public duty, but thS
it is grave mistake not to utilize them
such employment whenever women suite
to the work are willing to undertake i
Ot course all over the world women ar
already engaged IN the profession Of teacl
ing, but there are not many cases whel
women have been taken into the managiI
boards which direct the affairs o. the pub
lie schools, although it is but natural thj
there should be the same need for them
the higher as in the subordinate position
The readers Of the Republican will remen
Der that some interesting letters wei
written about the trial of women as tru,
tees OF the London public schools, two
three years ago, by Miss NJ f. Beedy, wi
was herself at one time a public schO
teacher in this city. In Boston. too, Il
experiment has been made, and, If q
Boston Advertiser is to be believed, to Il
entire satisfaction Of the people. Tv
women, Miss Peabody and Miss Hale, we
elected to the Boston school committee al
one Of them, Miss Peabody, reelected
the expiration of her first term. Her se
oud term is just about to expire, and 81
is again a candidate for reelection, as
the other woman, Miss Hale who was n
reelected last year The Advertiser sa
that both when elected knew more abo
education than half the men elected, al
that both have since acquired an expel
enee which few men have the time, eve
if they have the will, 20 gain Miss Pc
body is now chairman Of one Of the di,
sious Of the Boston schools in which the
are seven grammer schools, all of whit
but one have primary schools attache
These schools are widely scattered al
have force of one hundred and thir
teachers, whom and whose work it is d
chaiIman's duty to know all about Mi
Peabody's district, it is added. has be
visited as thoroughly as any in the char
OF the committee and she has besides Civ
much time to the general duties of
board, being member of the committe
on examinations, sewing, drawing al
kindergarten. ST. Louis has made no tr
of women in It's school board. but at lie,
tf,a q ha Han. Ia - Ill.