Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-11-03
For Superintendent One
and Why.
EDITOR REPORTER

EDITOR hEPORTEB
| glory in the interests and success
Of our common schools and with your
permission, through your columns will
present a few thoughts touching the
future welfare of these pillars of state
in our county. What arguments |
shall present or what course urge will
be not for friendship nor yet by reason
of enm1ty, but simply and solely in
the interest of the common good.
Upon the success and efficiency of
our schools depends very largely the
growth aud development our of county.
Then certainly at the head of these
sources of strength and power there
should stand man, a County Super
intendent, of some large conception
of the task he assumes. 1t is no triv-
ial matter to be lightly frittered away
upon a lad because he has taught a
few terms Of country school, or be-
cause he makes a pledge to himself
not to the people--to devote his entire
time to the duties of the office. On
the contrary it should have the best
mind and the deepest thought which
the county affords.
This fall but two Dames-two men
are presented the people for their suf-
frages, c. A. Coon and E. LYNCH.
The first named gentleman is but little
known in this southern portion of the
county, his name having never been
mentioned for any County Office until
recently he was appointed by the State
Superintendent to the position vacated
by t. E. Nash, and the further fact
that he is resident of the village of
Marshfeld where his property and in
terests have for several years been loca-
ted. Mr.. Coon was educated chiefly
in the Palmyra High School where all
branches taught in the Normal schools
are taught. His experience as teach
er has been extensive, covering schools
in the town Of Lincoln, village Of
Marshfeld and some of the principal
ones in the counties Of Dane and JEFF
ferson
But Mr.. Lynch-well yes, his name
has been mentioned for some few coun-
ty offices and some few times he has
had the honor of running himself over
the course but thus far coming in a
few votes short. True he has been
teaching in the county matter of ten
years, but always in the rural schools
at moderate wages never as yet exhibit
ing the first ray of ambition to rise
higher in the profession he has follow
ed except it be at the expense of the
county. His zeal to step from the
lowest graded schools of the county to
superintend those of higher grade
than those he has ever taught may be
laadable, but it is about as wise as for
the new hand running the rapids after
one or two trips applying for the posi-
ton of pilot and insisting that he is
amply qualified. Oh! no, the feeling
which prompts young man in these
days to hang around waiting for some
vacancy in Office to turn up, instead OF
pushing him on to higher education
and efficiency is not ambition in any
sense. But says my friend, Mr.. Lynch
has attended the Oshkosh Normal
School where teachers are made or de-
veloped. Well yes, he has been there
one term of three or four months and
that's all, If he was developed in that
time he was very prccocious youth,
because they calculate ordinarily to
keep a man there about three years
before they turn him out with certi-
ficate of development.
But enough Of this. | take it that
the intelligent people Of this county.
those who have its real interests at
heart desire what is patent to every
one, they have not had during the
past term, thorough, energetic, wide
awake administration of the matters
connected with the office of County
Superintendent Of Schools If so, |
say take off your coats and work for
the success of G. A. Coon at the polls
next Tuesday.
While [ was County Superintendent
both of these gentlemen were teaching
and it became my duty and pleasure
to see them at work in the sch DOL room,
the institute, and to examine each for
certificates and when I say that c.
A. Coon is better fitted morally, edu
cationally, by habits of thought, gen
eral and special training and breadth
of understanding for the position of
Superintendent of Schools than is E.