Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-12
ABUSE FROM AMENT
a Fresh Contribution From the
Fresh Individual.
BE INSULTS PROF. w1LL1ANsoH.

The Lnttsr's Criticism Brings Out Another
and Chsrsoesristic Letter From the Per
sistent ana Wssrisome superinteod..,
He Affords Bright Example.
James E. Ament distinguishes
himself by another screed in this
mornings Union. It is character
istic parcel of abuse and venum di-
rected mainly at Prof A. w. William.
son. Of Augustana college, who a few
days ago. wrote the Union commun.
ication in which he discussed the
school situation in Rock Island and
upheld the teachers. He did not attack
the superintendent, but merely criti-
cised him, privilege that should be
accorded to any one in referring to
public official. The Union in the
same issue gave space to a reply to
Prof. Williamson's comment that
bore very strongly the earmarks OF
Ament himself. Therein it was
intimated that the superintendent
would reply in his own behalf later.
That reply came this morning.
but no defense whatever is made by
the Union in this case of the subject
of attack in the communication.
The letter from the superintsnd-
ent shows the character of the man
more forcibly than anything that has
as yet come from his pen. and it
serves to indicate whv many peo-
pie who know him-despite the fact
that they have been urged to
have shrunk from getting into
any controversy with him. The
opening paragraph is a sample of
his regard for those who may differ
with him. and il shows what teach
ers or others taking issue with his
high strong notions might expect
at his hands. He says, for in
stance:
my attention was called this
morning to a three-column attack
made upon me by one A. w. Will
Hanson. do not know Mr.. Will
liza mson-in fact. never heard of him
till this morning. /. therefore, de-
sire. in replying to his Hudibrastic
obloquy. to refrain from needing his
personal abuse of me, as nearly as
possible. have read this aberrant
composition several times, in a vain
attempt to discover its exact pur-
port. shall preserve it as a bit of
fddle-faddle illustrating a mental
condition. As said, do not know
its author, but we're I to Judge him
by this production, should say his
days of usefulness in didactic pur-
suits are well over"
This one paragraph is sufficient to
show that the superintendent main
desire is to keep up the controversy
in order that he may pose as a smart
aleck, and the remainder of his COM
munication is devoted to the adula-
ton Of thu first person singular. to
whom reference is made just As
times in the document, to comparing
himself with such distinguished edu-
Gators as Harper, Draper, SEIZURE
man. Jordan, Burrill, Forbes, etc., to
misstatement of Prof. Williamson's
utterances, and a further evidence of
his hypocracy by attempting to show
his economical ideas of school gov
eminent, and by presenting statis-
tics of salaries in other Iowa
cities referring to two and
three years ago to form COM
pafison with what Rock Island is
paying today. From an argum Ia
tive or logical standpoint the docu-
ment is without the least merit, vet
the writer imagines he has said
great deal, for in conclusion he says:
''lf l have been slightly sarcastic in
this reply, trust an indulgeut pub
lie to remember that Fir. Will am
sons attack upon me was wholly un-
called for"
Dis aspect for Superiors.
As between Prof. Williamson and
Mr.. Ament. the public will not be
long in basing it's judgment. Prof.
Williamson has devoted his life to
educational work. and has probably
forgotten more than the gentleman
who has the effrontery to assail him
will ever know. Prof. Williamson
made no personal attack upon Mr..
Ament, yet he has been the victim
Of the wrath and vituperation of an
AueoiCut IciiOW WIZ, Wuile ne OO3stS
OF his attainments and his high
standing in the science of education
for his years, has not yet learned the
first rudiment in all branches of
mental and moral training-indeed
the primary thought, instilled
into the child at school-respect for
ones elders.
Such reference as Ament makes to
Prof. Williamson's communication
- "this pretty prattle," and II
should like to disabuse Mr.. William
son Of two illusions" Ibis own
ignorant misrepresentation of facts"
etc.. are the expressions of q man
who persists that he is q fit person
age to direct the supervision of the
institution which. is nearer and
dearer to the people than any other
supported by the masses, and who
still wonders why parents rs we'll as
teachers do not regard him as afford
ing the proper ideal and example for