Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-11-04

There vas published In the oolumns
OF your journal, n few days since. a
communication signed ID. +. Denny. Ii
contained such eisring absnrdities that
feel should not be true 20 my pro-
fession and the cause Of edncstion il I
do NOT take exceptions 10 what be has
said.
In answer to the statement that II
gives one teacher, while Superintend-
ent, an unsafe power over the other
teachers Of the county, have only 10
refer to the fact that at the meeting of
the County Institute in August, the
aigty-shree teachers present expressed
themselves "a a unit in favor Of Mr.. q.
8. Jones continuing In office for az least
yond argument that, in tho cass Of Mr..
Jones, he has not developed any demi-
noeriRg qualities ~ yet.
Now, as to the fitness of none bat
qualified teachers to oil the Office Of
Superintendent. | believe IL is recog-
nized by oil that superinten Tent must
DO an expert in the business he is called
upon TO oversee. II Mr.. Denny was to
build house or q ship, would he think
OF placing over bis mechanics novice
ia the business When q person ap-
plies for admission TO the Bar, does the
Judge appoint q committee composed
OF ministers or doctors to examine the
applicant as 10 his proficiency in the
principles and practice of law ? The
school law of our Territory, recognizing
the fact that Q superintendent oaght
to be qualified teacher, makes him one
ex o6feio. The school Law Of Cal fornia
requires person to hold first grade
oertihcats before ha is eligible TO the
position Of superintendent. In regard
tc Mr.. Jones performing the duties OF
teacher and superinte adeht et the same
time, without negleoting either, have
only this TO say: He has performed
those duties for the past two years, and
| have yet TO her the first ,cord Of com.
piaiat Of any neglect on his part 10 do
his rhois duty.
In the second part of Mr.. Denny's
article he shows lack of proper c0n-
sideration OF the amount Of sork that
ought TO be placed upon woman, that I
am reluctant 10 believe he does not
possess. ain fact, there are any mum.
ber Of women who do all their house
work, take care of the children, and
nurse twins TO boot Yes, Mr. Denny,
there are few. But you and would
not allow our wives TO perform all those
dnties, II We could help ourselves. Your
comparison IL good one. To visit all
the schools Of King county. a woman
would have 10 endure hardships equal
to those necessary to perform all the
duties you have enumerated. Travelled
over this county for six years,and know
whereof speak.
And lastly, the "equal rights" phase
Of the subject. Women have been
eligible to the office Of School super
intsndent in our Territory since 1877.
and In some If the counties where 10 In
possible for them TO visit the schools
with any ease. they have occasionally
been elected to the position. Four
years ago the Democrats of King coun-
ty put q lady ia nomination, bat she
voters did her the gallant act to put a
man in her place. This year the Repub-
iican Convention felt that 10 must do
something 10 draw the vote of the ws
men. The wise oues went through the
list of coanty officers: Councilmaa aud
Representatives-iu those positions Is
honor--men delight in homer. Treas
urer and Auditor: nov there Is your
turkey, and good fat turkey, too; but
the men wanted the turkey. School
Superintendent - buxzard - poor pay:
work hard TO get il. The women may
have the buzxard. Mr.. Denny has truly
said: "Thsy talk turkey for the men all
the time, and talk buxxard for the wo-
men, which is not honorable for the
lords of creation"
And now, Mr.. Editor. my position Is
this believe In equal rights and
woman suffrage. I should be pleased
10 vote for woman for any office she
could all with ease and profit. The du-
ties of the Office Of School Snperintend-
ems of King county, as yet, cannot be
performed by woman without hard
labor and great exposure. BY and by,
when We havs better roads. | shall be
pleased 30 help elect woman 20 the
position. But this time. as least. shall
do the lady an act Of galiantry by vot-
ing her to stay at home by her eva
comfortable fireside.
The result Of the coming election will
make no difference To- me personally,
but 20 the cause of education in King
county / feel that the election Of a
woman 10 the ofiice of School Superin.
tendent would prove a great drawback.
Many of the outlying districts would be
deprived Of all school inspection, and
surely the teachers could not look "a
one for advice and assistance who, II
report he true, has never taught in she
public schools, has never taken Jour-
nal OF education, has never taken q
teachers examination, has never ct
tended teachers instituts-in fact, ths
best opportunity she has bad 20 become
acquainted With oar free school system
has been TO consult her mother, Who
was a teacher of scme experience be
tween forty and fifty years ago. Re-
specially. 4. .. lSosAHAM.