Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-27
ARE AFTER AMENT.
Public Wishes to Rid the
Schools of Him.
STERN REBUKE TO THE BOARD.

Last NlGht's Meeting Of the TsaeAers
end Their Hsisnds at Industrial Hail.
The spsakers and rhsis Rsoasks-ro
Decide the Issae.
The meeting of the teachers Of the
Rock leland schools and their friends
1t Industrial hall last evening to
take steps looking to the systemat attic
and successful prosecution of the
issue against retention of the present
of schools, James
E. Ament. was largely attended.
The expressed sense Of the meet
ing proved not only an unequiv-
ocal and determined stand against
the superintendent. who was severely
but politely scored. but in the
undercurrent a decided aud unmis-
taxable rebuke Of the element OF the
board of education which has SO
steadfastly insisted upon his retention
in defiance OF the attitude of the
teachers and the feeling of the pub
lie.
1t was really an adjourped session
OF previous meeting Held by the
teachers and friends preparatory to
the campaign, ex.Mayor William
McConochie presiding and Frank
Kelly serving as secretary. A num-
Der Of representative citizens occu-
pied seats on the platform while the
seating capacity Of the room was
fully taxed and many stood besides.
Feolln9 II Expraasod
E. D. Sweeney was the first
speaker. He assumed that none but
teachers or their friends were pres
emit. II others were in attendance
they could not be offended at what
might be said, as they had no business
there. Mr.. Sweeney advised con-
slant vigilance on the part of the
teachers until the election was over.
"While no enemy has yet appeared
above the breastworks," said Mr..
Sweeney. 1--WE are looking for him.
and II one appears we will dispose of
him." The people should settle the
school question next Tuesday. and
settle it emphatically. Let no one
be deceived by apparent inactivity
on the part of the other side. Get
out the vote for Marshall and Dom
aldson, the avowed friends of the
teachers. Ordinarily. Mr.. Sweeney
said. he would have favored the pro.
posed change in the school law-but
not under the present circumstances.
The proposition hah been sprung at
this particular time, obviously to
benefit Ameat. whose admirers were
doing all they could for it. It was
designed and calculated to in some
way damage the teachers and there
fore should be defeated. Down Ament
and his supporters. should be the
end and aim next Tuesday. said Mr..
Sweeney, who in conclusion re-
ferred to the super intendent's COM
munications in the Union as bein g
unseemly and unbecoming, and
which would have effectually beaten
him if nothing else had.
Hon. E. w. Hurst was next intro
duced. 1--WE should not allow our
minds" Mr.. Hurst said. .to be di-
verted from the real issue to be get
tied next Tuesday. The one point
is, shall Mr.. Ament be retained as
superintendent Of schools, or shall
we be permitted to select a superin-
tendent with whom the teachers can
work in harmony?"
Mr.. Hurst said he desired moth
ing more to satisfy his mind Of the
improperly of the retention of Mr..
Ament than his record elsewhere be-
fore coming here, and the fact that
IS per cent OF the teachers in our
schools were against him. He urged
the teachers to carry on the fight,
zealously aud earnestly, assuring
them that the public was with them
and that victory was certain to
crown their campaign next Tue sday
night.
Superintendent Came Here PreJadlced.
Rev. F. W. Merrell was called
upon. The speaker deplored the sit
uation in the schools OF Rock Island,
and stated that the unfortunate state
of affairs could be attribted to no
one but the superintendent himself.
The retiring superintendent. Mr..
kemble. pleasantly prepared the
way for the success of his successor.
But Mr.. Merrell said that Mr.. Ament
had told him that he came here pre-
JUDGED against the teachers and
their methods of conducting the
schools. In the light of these facts
the superintendent could only blame
himself. The teachers are against
him as . matter of defense. In con-
clusion Mr.. Merrell said it would be
the greatest possible calamity that
could befall the schools to retain him
for another year. Mr.. Merrell's re-
marks were . revelation in one par
ticular as refuting the assertion the
superintendent has made that the
teachers of the Rock Island schools
were prejudiced against him before
he came here and that he was de-
MED fair show. The shoe was ON
the wrong foot, IL seems.
Mayor B. F. Knox said the issue
settled itself right down to one OF
two things: Shall We have .
stranger continue here against the
will Of the people and run our
schools. and require our teachers
whom va have known for years 20
20 elsewhere, or shall We give the