The herald., 1894-09-24
NoN-PARr1sAN CONTROL OF scHo OILS.

One OF the best and most promising
cratic party has ever taken was the
nomination OF capable lady for super
intendent of schools in this county. 1t
is step which ia sure to bear excellent
fruit here, and to be followed in other
counties. The action OF the Democratic
convention in this regard places the Re-
publican party in an awkward position.
That party had proclaimed in its state
platform its adherence to the principle
of the right OF women to political recog-
milton, and had, at the very least. COM
mitted itself to favoring them for Office
in the very department where it was
universally conceded they were super
iorly fitted to administer. Yet, when
the very lady the Democrats have nomi-
mated, regardless OF her political predi-
lectioDs, went before the Republican
convention for nomination, che was in
continsntly snowed under.
Here is striking instance of the hol-
lowness OF party declarations. The Re-
publicans raised the flag OF woman suf-
frags, but when they were put to the
test to practically carry out their
vaunted declaration, they deliberately
bedraggled it in the dust. The Demo.
cratic party, however, had said nothin
in its platform on the subject. 1t had
neither committed itself for or against
the principle. but when it came to deal
with the schools it gave q substantial
earnest OF its belief of rescuing them
from the 'pool of filthy politics" by
nominating distinguished fem ale edu-
cstionist and expert in the handling of
school matters for the position OF county
superintendent.
This is what we call prsoticing instead
Of preaching-and only prsaching-re-
form in a quarter where reform is press
ingly needed. 1t has not escaped the
observation of our best citizens, nor been
absent from the minds of our serious
thinkers. that the schools were rapidly
descending into the vortex OF villainous
political management; that their con.
troll was getting more and more into the
hands OF doodle" politicians, and that
a nlasa of man n-hsnkrnpt--s---i -~-nact
and eager for public plumber, were ma
nipulating them to their own base and
selfish purposes. 1t was manifest that
ii this was permitted to go on our public
schools would soon become the mere
tool OF party manipulators and ward
politicians. From that condition to
their utter decentralization as upbuilders
of the education of our children, there
could be but very short distance.
The Democratic convention was wise
enough and patriotic enough to see not
only its line of duty, but its best and
most polite course under the circum-
stances. 1t crossed the rubicon OF selfish
psrtisanship and made the first and
most conspicuous move yet made to take
our public schools out OF politics. 1t
was Napoleonic stroke OF good sense or
tinesse, or both, and it will come back
to the party like sweet bread cast upon
the waters. The Republican party kept
the word Of promise to the ear. but broke
it to the hope;" the Democratic party
paid no lip service to just demand
upon its conaide :ation, but entered the
arena full-armed, ready to champion the
good cause. and gave practical and sub
stantisl illustration of its determination
to do the right thing for our schools.
Now let this good work be followed
up. When it comes to naming mem-
bers OF our city board OF education. lei
the people see to it that thoroughly
equipped women assume the direction
OF it's affairs. Let us make it impossible
that men shall sit in the board to lint
their pockets with commissions on pur
chsses, an1 become the subject Of granC
jury indictment for felenious offenses
Let the wedge that is now driven into
the educational department g
deeper and deeper until our schools arr
com pletely rescued from politics
"boodlsism" and from the Who'll
caboodle OF rotten practices ths
always obtain wherever party msnipu
lato-s get control Of this American insti