The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1881-04-15
COMMUNICATION.
JouxsrowN. Pa. April II. lss1.

JOHSSTOWS. Pa. A pTll T. 1881.
EDITOR FREEMAE-DEAR SIR BY reason Of the
expiration OF the present term OF office Of County
Superintendent Berg, the School Directors Of Cam
bria county will be called upon to meet in conven
tion on the third day of next month, for the pur-
pose Of electing successor to that gentleman OF
re-eIecting Mr.. Berg himself, who Is a candidate
for a third term. I also understand that there
three or four others who are willing 10 serve the
people in that capacity. l don't wish at present
TO advance the claims of any particular candidate,
but desire TO suggest that there are many reasons
why we, as guardians OF the peoples interests,
should vote for change in preference to the pres
ent incumbent
When first called to this office. six years ago, but
little was known OF Mr.. Berg in connection with
educational matters. In fact. he had been playing
that sort, and at the time did not possess the ne
cessary qualifications to enable him to hold the Of
flee; and it only by procuring a recOmmenda-
ton from J p wickersham, late State Superin-
tendeut that he became at all eligible 70 the office.
ton he failed very largely to give satisfaction.
In conducting County Institutes, which by law are
provided TO be held annually, he has sghaiiy laI-
ell forwant OF executive qbiIity. These Institutes,
If properly conducted would no doubt be n benefit
lowing the teachers to take hold Of the work and
make il a success, he has persstently refused to
DO so. This l am told by teachers who have asked
to be allowed to take part in the exercises and
have been refused. On the contrary, he has made
these Institutes inc occasions or DrinElng OUT pro-
fessors in normal schools prominent preachers and
persons OF that k TO bore the teachers and others
VINO attend, and Lh3J, 700 NJ the expenses on the
taxpayers. This ] doubt not. ne substantiatcd
by the teachers OF almost any district in the county
Again. in making his visits to the schools during
the past winter, we find il has been his custom TO
a
amininsthe work performed under mis- direction. 20
invariably give the pupllS 2 scoldlnG, stating
home - wears old who can do better work than any
Now we don't wish to advance the idea that we
would not approve Of iusututing new methods OF
teaching. etc. but do object to q County Super
intendent going about The county sounding the
merits Of has oirn ctif and udieuling others and
their parents and teachers. and even telling teach
ers sometimes that they are not fit to teach school,
when he binlseD Gdre them license 10 teach He has
also made the occasion of visiting the schools a
pretense in order shat he might work up' his
he has visited certain portions of the county solely
yvbatevsr TO his official duties . In fact we think
the whole administration of Mr.. Berg is vulnerable
and Omen TO criticism. and see no reason why We
should continue him in office.
However Mr.. Berg seems to think it the duty Of
the Directors TO Tetain him. probably as sort Of
pensioher on ine county a4lhoGsh Lte hatloHaI
government is pensioning him already for services
In his pcregrinatious in this end Of the county
last week. Mr.. Berg free with the state
ihfht .haE AelJher y! inc oInGr ca1u,Ha3eS nu q
Ghost OF q chance % be eieclSd- anu tuNlseu
them and their friends to let the County Superin-
IcnLGhcy a9he anu atlelll 20 I5illi= tsc .51
is he Of their welfare, To lIr. Berg are obliged
TO say. You are certainly greatly mistaken. Why,
sir, YOU mention districts in which certain oi Tie
candidates viii no. get vote, wHen You know
better. For instance. You say OF Mr. Strayer, that
he VII! not get a vote IN MS own tlaylor) dstrlct
when the fact Is, and you kn5tr a. that ne VIII get
every vote but one. and that one you captured
while You should have been attending 10 your oil
fetal business. This same gentleman has other
districts NotiL IuI ulul- ana also understand 4
largo following in different other portions of the
county; yet you cOncede to him scarcely thing.
Are YOU not little alarmed. Mr.. Berg, and hence
use this kind of bravadO TO keep your courage up2
In the manner YOU treat other candidates
who have quite large following, and yet you viii
not coucede them any show tail. Your statements
very wild EIr. Berg, and you should be carefuI
as one OF the qualifications necessary to this office
is q reputation lOi veracity. Nou know that when
yOu were candidate three wears ago You promised
many Directors that il you were then elected You
would not again be an Gspirunt: yet you now have
the CHECK 10 urge yourself on the people and TO
deny, as you did to prominent parties here last
week, that yen ever expressed yourself in that
manner.
Now, NIr. Berg. in view Of the fact that your ad
miuistratTun has been. to say the least, very
weak one. and in view Of the further fact that
there are other men in the county who are, to put
1t mildly. fully as competent as yuu, and who
have devoted great deal of their time 20 teaching
and preparing themselves for the work would you
not think it allowable for Directors cast their
votes for some cIse2 Such my opinions
on this subject, and to this end VIII labor.
DIRECTOR