Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-04-15
AGAIN FOR AMENT.
Board of Education Reflects the
Present Superintendent.
PROTESTS OF CITIZENS IGNORED.

Directors Turn Deaf Ear to Several Peti.
tioas Requesting Change In the Head
Of the Public Schools, the Vote Standing
Three to Two.
Public protest was ignored by three
Of the school directors at the meeting
last evening aud James E. Ament
was chosen to serve at the head of
the Rock Island public schools the
coming year.
Mesdames Hamilton and Norris and
DR.. c. B. Kinyon supported the pres
ent superintendent, while President
Robbins and Director Sinnet voted
against his reelection. When the
matter was brought up several Pc
titions protesting against the contin-
uation Of the present incumbent were
read. 1t was commended that Mr..
Ament's administration had not been
at all satisfactory either from the
point of ability or economy and that
the best interest Of the schools would
be better subserved By his name be-
ing not considered for the position.
The petitions bore the signatures of
two hundred citizens, which were
flied away. At this juncture Mrs.
Hamilton advanced her question as
to whether the board could legally
proceed with the election Of a super
intendent at this time. 1t was ex-
planned that such had been the Gus
tom in Rock Island for many years.
But 1t was insisted by Mrs. Hamilton
that il the statutes did not allow
this manner of procedure she was
opposed to carrying the matter any
further at the present. There was
quite discussion Of the quest
when President Robbins stated that
in justice to Mr.. Amcnt the board
should decide as to whether it was
favorable to his retention. The su-
perintendent was present ut the
meeting and in the midst of the dis
cussion he said assuringly: IL don't
think any harm would be done in
voting on the question. Or course l
know what the result will be"
| And He Did.
And the superintendent made no
mistake when he said be knew how
the vote would stand. Mr.. Ament
was reelected by a vote of three to
two. his supporters being the two
ladies and DR.. kinyon, while Presi-
dent Robbins and Mr.. Sinnet re-
corded their votes negatively. Then
came an explanation from Mrs. Ham
ilton. who said: 1.-The past year has
been an unusually successful one IN
the public schools, which is, OF
course, mostly due to the efforts OF
the teachers. There has been any
amount of charges made against our
superintendent. and they have in a
measure turned public sentiment
against him. Every one Of these
have investigated. In fact have
paid a great deal Of attention to this
subject Of late and have found that
without q single exception the
charges against Mr.. Ament were the
result OF misapprehension or direct
falschood.
Mr.. Apent thanked the board very
heartily for reelecting him and
gave assurance that he would put
his heart and soul into the school
work the coming year.
President Robbins reminded Mrs.
Hamilton Of he's sudden change in
opinion as to the qualifications OF
Mr.. Ament, whereupon DIR. kiuyon
cut in aud told the president not to
be interrupting the speaker.
II am not talking to you" re-
torted President Robbins.
Feeling ran high among the men,
bers during the meeting. and Direc.
tor Sinnet left Immediately after the
vote was taken. telling the board
that il the future showed Il mistake
had been made with reference ID the
superintondency anyone Gould see
how he voted.
Other Doings.
Truant Officer Sweeney reported
that he investigated 76 cases OF alb
sence and truancy during March
He causedstwo children to reenter
school and four to be vaccinate1.
Superintendent Ament's report
shows five suspensions during March
and four instances wherein corpora
punishment was resorted to. He
says there was considerable sickne
during the month. but not as much
as might be expected. The enroll
ment shows an increase of 90, anG
the superintendent says that one
third Of the schools are overcro wded
many teachers having 60 enrolled
whereas he claims the number
should be at least 20 less.
Permission was granted the Loya
Legion to utilize the basement of tn,
No. 4 building once a week.
There were applications from sew
> ersl teachers residing in difIeren
sections Of the state for positions a.
teachers in the Rock Island schools
All were read and filed away In
this connection Mrs. Hamilton in
quired il there was not a rule of tn,
local board opposing the appoint
ment of applicants who had no train
ing as tutors. 1t was found tina,
there was no such rule. but the di
rectors believed that the idea was nv