The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-08-08
Is There to Be a New school Examiner ,

For some days there have been rumors on
the town that Prof James A. Diffenbaugh,
County School Examiner, is favorably con
sidering some aattering offers elsewhere, and
that he would probably accept. Prof. Diiien-
baugh has made n high reputation in the field
of education that is widespread, and the fiat
tering offers made him are no surprises to
those who know his worth and ability Car
roll is fortunate in having so efficient a super
intendent, and it would be great loss should
he conclude to go elsewhere. 1t is hoped he
will retain his present position, though his
talents would command q much higher salary
in any large city. In the August issue of the
American School Board Journal we find the
following sketch of Prof. Difienbaugh, which
is illustrated by an excellent picture:
County Examiner superintendent of public
schools, member of the state Board Of Education
Trustee of the State Normal School, and President o.
the State Teachers Association, Prof James A DIFF
fenbaugh, of Carroll county, Md, is well known and
highly esteemed by the school people of many states
not few of whom have most pleasant reeollections
of his elegant bachelor home, with its fine library
wealth of creature comforts and bounteous hospi-
tality at Westminster the county seat where he was
born February 3, 1854.
lie was educated in the public schools and al
Western Maryland College, III mis- native city, having
graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1874, receiving the
Masters degree three years later.
While teaching in the public schools of the county
he studied law and admitted to the bar in 1878.
He was a clerk of the Committee on Accounts of the
u. House OF representatives during the 44tn
and 10th Congresses Upon retiring from that posi-
ton, in 1851 he was appointed deputy clerk of the
Circuit Court for Carroll county, and so continued
until he was elected County School Examiner in
January, 1881. lie was reelected in sc, IS and 80
his superior fitness for the place and the value oil
his services being generally conceded that he has
never had a competitor.
During his tenure he has superintendent the cree
ton of some thirty-six schOolhouses embracing
forty-four rooms. In Maryland the County super
intendent is at the same time the financial aud eX
ecutive officer of the School Board, n condition
which does not obtain in any other state. Besides
visiting and supervising the schools, directing the
course of study, examining teachers and performing
such other duties usually devolve upon county
superintendent he is obliged 10 conduct all the
correspondence and financial operations of the
Board pay the teachers salaries, superintcnd the
erection and furnishing of schoolhouses and dis
tribute the text books to all the schools in the
county.
the Governor one of the five members of the State
Board of Education and Trustee of the State Normal
School. At the request of the State Board he pre-
pared for publication codilication of the state
school law which has recently been issued in neat
pamphlet
eeutivc Committee ofthe State Teachers Association
and was thus charged with the arrangements for
the annual meeting of this year. As this was TO be
the twenty-ffth anniversary of the organization OF
the Association, he determined 10 make it su-pass
all former meetings, both in numbers attending and
in the character of the exercises. The meeting was
held at Ocean City July 1th Sth and 9i and was the
largest the most interesting and the most enthusi-
astic the Association ever had. While he doubtless
received valuable assistance from his colleagues on
the committee the credit for the unprecedented sue
cess is due mainly TO his energy and skill in the
management, and as a reward for his services he
was elected TO the presidency with entire unanimity
and great enthusiasm.
BEING a fine scholar a fluent writer and speaker.
a man Of great executive ability. and n gentleman
of refined manners and cultivated taste it need not
he has been called with great credit TO himself and
advantage 10 the state.