The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-02
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INsTRuc-
TYnN

StfiLc bttC VI CtIdttou Dy TIC
republicans for the important position Of.
superintendent of public instruction sever
al gentlemen have been named for the
place on the democratis ticket. The aom-
| nation of Stratton is manifestly wrong
| and unsatisfactory. 1t is conceded that If
the democrats give the nomination to
| man who knows something of the duties of
| the office, and is in sympathy with educa-
tional matters, he VIII receive the almost
undivided support of the teachers and
county superintendents of the state.
While several excellent gentlemen have
been named as fit persons to receive the
nornination from the democrats, the ARGUS
has candidate to present that would re-
| feet greater credit on the democracy than
any yet spoken of, not aloneOn account of his
high personal character as man and dem
ocrat, but on account of his eminent qualifi-
cations for the Office. The gentleman to
whom the ARGUS alludes is Professor F. T.
Oldt, at present and for the past seven
years principal OF the Lanark public
schools. Prof 0ldt is polished
scholar being graduate of La Fayette
College, Pa, and although the youngest in
class of forty, was the first to receive the
degree of M. A. He has been teaching
ever since he graduated, and although hav
ing the offer of principalship, he prefer
red to commence with an ungraded school
that he might familiarize himself with the
ground, work of his profession.
His efforts as principal of the Lanark
schools have been crowned with success
beyond the most sanguine expectations of
his friends, the high school of that village
being recognized as one of the best IN the
state Its graduates are received in some
of the best colleges and universities on the
certificate of the Professor alone, so high
does he stand as an educator. This is the
kind of superintendent the state requires,
and if the democratic party win relieve
itself of all other considerations than |
that of benefit to the educational interests
of the state and nominate Mr. Oldt, it will |
do itself credit, and place itself in glaring |
contrast with the selection made |
by the Republicans, whose can
didate is a mere machine politician |
in no manner in sympathy with the Office |
for which he is running either by inclina
ton or education. He is political law
yer of small calibre, and owes his nomi
nation to the dirty work he has done in
and other odd jobs in behalf of
the machine" This is why the Repub-
licans interested in school matters feel
by the selection made, and stand I
ready to emphasize their iliscontent by We
ting solidly for the Democratic nominee
should he be man of the Prof. Oldt
stamp. Writing on this subject the Free
port Daily Bulletin says:
Time does not moderate the indigna-
ton of the republican teachers throngh
out the state at having lawyer and mere
machine politician imposed upon them
as a candidate for superintendent of pub
lie instruction. Appearances Indicate
that If the democrats nominate proper
he will receive the suffrages of
his large class, and be elected without
much difficulty.
In this condition of affairs many demo |
Gratis in this part of the state think that
Prof. T. T. Oldt, of Lanark, would fill the
of a candidate better than any
gentleman who has been named in this
Prof. Oldt's reputation as an l
educator stands without superior. He is
admittedly brilliant scholar, having been
/ favorite pupil of the world renowned ;
Prof. March, L. L. D., of La |
ayette college, and has moreover made a |
tudy of his chosen profession. This /
ldded to his natural abilities would make I
lin such state superintendent as Illinois {
las seldom possessed. s
Mr.. Oldt is closely identified with the l
educational interests of the state He has &
,een very prominent worker at institur I,
rs and is now president of the Carroll j
county teachers association. Under his /
barge, the Lanark. high school, of which In
re is principal, has been raised to a very sy
Ugh standard. Students are admitted |
pon his certificate alone to the Northwes c
ern university at Evanston and the In s
ustrial university. He has been at Ian
rk for the last seven years and enjoys i
be unlimited confidence of the school {
irectors, parents and pupils alike2 More t
yer, Mr.. Oldt possesses the very necessary I
ratification of being very staunch Jeffer- c
oman democrat. He has resided in one b
f the most hopelessly republican counties 1
n the state. yet he has never wavered IN S
is adherence to democratic principles. [
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