St. Paul daily globe., 1892-12-30
This Is What Superintendent
Kiehle Is Characterized
to Be.
A Resolution for His Indorse-
ment Killed at the Morn
g ing Session,
But Friends Rally to His Sup
port and Pass 1t in the
J Afternoon.
His Opponents Very Bitter in
Their Denuneiation OF
His Methods.

"A. M. Sperry. of Dodge county, set
the ball to rolling yesterday morning
at the meeting of the county superiu-
tendents in Room 10, by introducing the
following resolution: THAT, as an ex-
preston of the permanent policy OF
this organization, We refuse to take
part in the promotion of any personal
or private interests whatever"
Supt. L. j. Recholl, Of Stearns, OBJ
iected to this. and said if it read that
way it would be putting the assembly
inthe light of man sitting On the
fence and did not know which way he
wanted to go. He was in favor of the
present session indorSing Supt. Kiehle,
by comDlimcnting him on his faithful
work. etc, and thought it was like a lot
of towards to refuse to stand by our
superior officer.
a. NJ. Sperry replied by saying that
he desired to keep this matter out of
politics. E. A. Taylor, Chaska, thought
it would be wrong and unfair not to in-
dorse Supt. Kiehle.
L. r. Recholl gained the floor again,
Notwithstanding the efforts of others to
be heard. He said the body ought to
show their colorS and not to be afraid
of their Scalps. Amendment after
amendment was offered, until all was
confusion, and only few knew what
was before the session.
Supt. Shauer, of Hennepin, moved
that the consideration Of the resolution
offered by Supt. Sperry be indefinitely
postponed, which was adopted. This
rather camad the ruffled waters for a
time, but the session was once more
stirred up by resolution introduced by
T. B. McKelvey, of Dakota. that the
county SuperintendentS reconsider the
reappointment of Supt. Kiehle as state
superintendent of instruction. The
resolution contained sentance to the
effect that bad blood existed in the
body.
This latter clause brought Mir. Sperry
to his feet and he stated very positively
that there was no bad blood there and
that he would not vote for any resolu-
ton that applied such thing. MIR.
kiehle was personal friend of his.
A. B. Clnch said he did not believe
in making the matter political one.
and did not think it fair OF just TO
spring the matter OH the convention.
Let us express our opinion freely, but
let it be free from any contamination.
President Macintosh here retired from
the chair. giving place to Supt. Shauer.
He said lie was opposed to the conven
ton meddling in politics. If the county
superintendents came here to mix in
politics the educational matters would
suffer.
bIr. McKelvey thought it had to med
die somewhat i'll politics. What could
be done with the text book in making
it law by the Legislature if we did not
meddle in politics? Ihe matter of in
dorsipg Supt. Kiehle, however,, was not
a political measure, and he did not wish
to contaminate it with politics.
On the motion of Supt. Macintosh
that the resolution be postponed indeli-
nitely it was carried.
After the Storm.
The regular business i'll order was
the report Of the board of managers of the
state teachers reading circle. Chairman
Engerstrom spoke to some length ON the
subject, and was strong in the belief
that it was a great aid in educational
work.
Supt Olsen said he started it in his
books, and that it had grown in favor
right along. He spoke of the different
kinds of reading. He thought that at
first if few could be enthused in tine
plan it would soon become very popu
lar means of education. Over forty
eight counties had commenced work in
this line.
Supt. K. W. BuelI,of Fillmore county,
read an interesting paper on closer in
Spection of rural schools. Among few
of the good points in his paper he re-
ferred to the fact that the salary of
county superintendent was fixed by a
law passed at 81, 200 per annum; that
it was not obligatory OH the part Of SUI
perintendents to visit rural schools un-
less by special law passed by the
county commissioners, and that it was
difficult to determine Just what his du
ties were. He believed That school QueS
tions should be published i'll the daily
papers and made as public as any other
public matters. County superinten-
dents ought to visit school once every
year. The discussion was opened by
f. II. Lindsey. He said when he Wis
tied the schools he often times saw
things going on not i'll accord with his
ideas, but he did not always complain
Y
about 10 correct them. While he saw
much to crIticise he saw much to com
mend. He did not believe In printed
reports. No superintendent need be
ignorant of what is going on in his dis
trict if he Will visit the schools. He
had no cne method to set before the
superintendent must be his own
individuality. LII you want your in
dividuality felt, you must visit the
schools aud show an interest i'll the
teacher and her work. How they
taught the different branches he did
not care. If the seeds of learning were
implanted in the minds of the pupils
they would get along all right. He did
not think it right to be a machine with
out the Individuality, and that was what
counted.
The paper and discussion by Supts.
W. A. Mcdonald and Fannie Lapham
on summer schools were dispensed with
and referred to the committee Oh this
head
The Officers Elected.
The election Of officers resulted as fol-
lows: There were two candidates for
president proposed, namely: K. w.
Buell., of Fillmore, and s. j. Rose, of
Redwood. The vote taken resulted IN
the election OF Supt. Buell. by a vote of
"a to ID. This election was made unan
itnOus. Supt. Rose was made vice pres
ldenI, Miss Fannie Lapham was elected
secretary and f. p. Chaplin treasurer.
Supts. Olsen and Macintosh were elected
to represent the reading circle. The
president appointed the following CON-
mittee on legiSlation: j. o. Mackin-
tosli. A. E. Engstrom. j. q. Chapel, II.
j. Roeholl.
The official organ, School Education,
was discussed by Editor Smith. He
wanted to hear from some of the super