Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-04-18
A PLAIN POSITION.
Which is Of Greater Importance
to the Schools.
SUPERINTENDENT Or SYSTEM

The Question n 60 nv. Ament Narrows
Down to One Of Tso rhings- Good DIS
ciplins Of First Considerable How the
Teacher Feel.
The issue as to the retention or
dismissal Of Superintendent J. L.
Ament narrows down to q simple
question, and that is. which is Of the
greater Importance to the good gov
eminent OF the schools, the superin-
tendent, personally, or the system as
a whole. THE Argos contends that
good discipline and harmony of &C.
ton among the teachers is vital to
the success OF the school government,
and to accomplish this the head of the
corps OF instructors must have the
respect of those under him. To gain
that respect it is not necessary to rule
the teachers with q rod of iron, or to
govern them in accordance with tie
tactics Of a military code. OF
truth the superintendent must have
absolute control of his teachers or he
cannot accomplish results with them.
Mr.. Ament has not the control over
the teachers in the Rock Island
schools that he should have,
because of his demeanor. In
stead OF winning their cooperation
and sympathy and respect, the
great majority of them. from and
including the High school down, en-
terrain sense OF resentment toward
him as a consequence of&is rudeaess
toward them. They feel that they
can never be reconciled to him, and
the excellency of the school system
must, naturally. be in danger, il
sach conditions continue to exist.
In this view, the conclusion is that
there must be q change. The board
has chosen to 80 utterly disre-
gard the best interests of the schools
as to indicate a purpose to retain the
superintendent another year. The
ANGUS maintains that the highest
good Of the schools as q whole is
more worthy Of consideration than
any one man. The system is derhor-
allied now through Mr. Ament's
methods. and with the feeling that
prevails among the teachers toward
him it is unreasonable to expect that
their work can ever be brought into
accord with his theories. In word
the teachers feel that they have been
wronged; they have lost respect for
him, and no matter how hard thew
may try there cannot be the unity Of
purpose that is essential to success.
Teachers snubbsd At tho Outset.
Mr.. Ament has sought to impress
the teachers with his individual
greatness from the first. At his initial
meeting with them he gave them to
understand that under no circum-
stances was teacher to speak to
him when he entered her room. He
was able to take care of himself, and
he has carried out this disposition
in all circumstances where he has
been brought in contact with the
teachers. Aside from the utterances
made by the superintendent in the
presence of the teachers there is
one in particular which indicates the
absolute lack Of consideration on his
part for their feelings. At one of
the meetings of the corps of instruc-
tors teacher failed to answer q
question on the topic under discus
sion. whereupon the superintendent
encouraged the teacher thus: eff
you would obtain a fresh pane of
glass and grease it over; then drop
a fine cambria needle upon il. and
try to pick up the needle with
fingers, the nails OF which have Just
been trimmed, you will know how
difficult it is for me to pull this les
son out of you"
And like the other remarks attrib-
uted to Mr.. Ament there are wit
nessess to these.
Tho Weather.