West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1890-05-22
The New superintendent and the Re.
form SchoAl.

newly elected uperlntendent of the
State Reform School, located at
Pruntytown, was born in Harrison
County during the war and is now
twenty-eight years of age. His
parents are still living and reside
near Newburg in this county. He
is one of family of nine children,
four boys and five girls. OF his
three brothers one is postmaster at
Wallace, Harrison County, one is
the proprietor of business college
in Chicago, and editor of the Ink
Bottle, paper published there, and
the youngest is still at home. Prof.
Showaltcr has been actively engaged
the past ten years in teaching and
institute work and is born teacher.
He was principal Of the school at
Wallace, Harrison County, Of the
graded school at West Union, Dod-
ridge County, and at independence
this county, and for the past two
years has been Principal Of the
Kingwood Academy. lie has taught
eight summer normal schools for
teachers, and altogether twenty-six
terms of school and has established
fine reputation as a successful and
practical teacher. lie has also did
considerable institute work in the
last few years, having been instruc-
tor Ill seven county Institutes and
had expected TO devote most of his
time this summer in institute work,
having been assigned to conduct
institutes in several counties. He
helped conduct the teachers institute
here last summer and is u member
of the Beard of Examiners of this
county, and would likely have been
reelected for another year. He is a
large man, standing six feet in his
stockings and weighing about 270
pounds. but with all his weight is
very active and energetic. He has
always been republican and his
election to such an important posi-
ton by n democratic board was q
matter of surprise to democrats and
republicans alike, and certainly
speaks well for his ability and pop
ularity although 1T was rather bad
break for the party to give such a
good Office to republican when
there were several democratic appli-
cants. Personally we like Mr..
Showalter very much, and respect
him as gentleman and admire him
as scholar and christian, and
have DO possible objections to him
except his politics and if the Board
appointed him believing him to be
the best man for the place as his
friends claim, why well and good,
but all things being equal and the
democrats having the matter in
their own hands, it subjects them
to criticisms, but now that it is
done we accept the situation and
feel safe IN saying that Prof. Show
alter is well qualified for the posi-
ton. lie was reared on q farm and
is a practical farmer, AN experienced
book-keeper and a successful teach
er, just the qualifications the board
wanted in the superintendent. a
committee of the board is now at
work formulating bylaws, rules
and regulations for the governing
of the institution, and the duties
and powers Of the superintendent
have not yet been defined. Prof.
Showalter says that any appoint
ments he may have to make he will
divide the matter politically and
appoint equally from both parties,
but the chances are that but few
subordinates will be needed for some
time yet, as there is no one TO stock
the school with In the start and il
will fill up very slowly. There are
probably some youthful criminals
in the penitentiury now who ought
to be in the reform school, but the
law will not admit of them being
changed and pupils can only be Sc.
cured for the schools by the com.
mitment Of a justice and the sen.
tence Of judge, in the case of a
male criminal under sixteen, who
may be found guilty after a jury
trial and it is then at the option oil
the court to send the offender Ia
Jail, the "pen" or reform school, as
the case may warrant. The school
is only Tor boys under sixteen wears