The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-10-25

EOi 4Ga1I Ottu COillInlSSlOnCf-A. L. L100nOlm.
THE sUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
ED. ADvANCE:-At the coming elec-
ton the people will az ain he called
upon to elect for two years county
superintendent Of schools. The office
is the most important OF the elective
offices iii the county. The county gu
perinteEdent of schools is the official
head OF the educational interests of the
county, and insomuch as these interests
surpass III Importance the financial af-
fairs Of the county, just SO much more
important is this office above all others.
The office should not he political one
but the person best qualified for its
duties Should be elected without regard
to ms standing in ''the party"
Il6 oti!:e pays u salary of $50 per
year and the salary is Increased ten
dollars upon the organization of every
new dis,lict, and will soon pay $1,000
to 81 ZOO. The salary is sufficient to
pay for the entire time OF the person
elected. The work is badly needed and
experience in the past should teach us
not to elect amy one who makes its
duties subordinate to other and per-
SOnal duties.
DR.. Craft may be amply qualified for
the position, but does any one suppose
DR.. Craft will fo:ego the much more
profitable practice of his profession and
devote his entire time to the dnties of
county superintendent of schools. He
gives rs Il reason for desiring tile place
that lis eyes are disabled so that he
cannnt ride III his prof ssion. If he
lulllls the duties of superintendent of
schools as they shoald be attended to
amy one at all acquainted with DR..
Graft must know tnat they will call
him into the country much more fire.
quently than his professional duties
liaye. There are 60 or 20 organized dis
trlcts IN the county. The law requires
two visits to each school each term.
This would Call tor 40 visits per term
or for 2SO visits per Year. Besides this
strain on his eyes, Dr.. Craft rs super
intendent OF schools, would need to use
those eyes in study and preparation for
his duties. lie has been cut Of the
school room Is or 20 Oyears. Text books
and methods OF teaching have been rev.
oiutioniZed in that time. Normal
schools aud normal methods of teach
ing have made their appearance and
though he may have kept up u super.
ticlal acquaintance with these methods
yet his Calling precl.les that intimate
knowledge whIcn Mobiles county pays
for and has a right TO demand.
Miss graves has made teaching hel
life study. She is in the prime Ut life
She holds one OF tie two first grade Ger
tiIicates given to teachers in this cOun
| ty. She is ln active, energetic, wide
awake lady; not afraid Of work; has IL
OLD fagy lotions to DE uurooted; has
kept heTscl: abreast with the advanced
ideas Of to-day in teaching, and vii
devote her entire time t. the Office
Three .fou!tl!s Of the teachers Of thi.
county are ladies. They make sue.
cess at teac!:lE ;,n" us i. class avtrag.
much higher than male teachers. The,
have a nat,iral intuilive capacity foI
| imparting instruction.. The talents de-
manded III IL teacher will make Il goOl
superintendent of schools.
1t is ol,ir,:tt'' that Miss Graves could
not hold the Office If elected. This i:
simply elect ioneering talk. The attor
nty general Of the state decided that
under the law size eau hold. and tn
fact that there is Il lady holding th'
office in one Of he northern counties @
the State should et!ect.a]ly silence thi!
Objection. EDUCATOR.