Great Falls weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1894-1???, 1896-06-05
what. oh, what! we ask, is to become Of
the little red school house?
SCHOOL TRUSTEES.

SCHOOL TRUSTEES.
1t is an ungracious task to criticize
the actions of public officers, especially
officers who devote their time to the
public service without the incentive Of a
salary or emolumeuts. Occasionally,
no Tever, the best of men get on the
wrong track, and this appears to be the
case with the present board of school
trustees. In the matter of the selection
of a superintendent of the schools, these
gentlemen are pursuing a curious and
inconsistent policy, and one that they
will find it hard to justify in the eyes Of
fair minded, right-thinking men. The
position in question is an import
ant one, and in lis action leading
up to a selection the board pursued, fair
regular and b%usiness-like methods. The
applications of candidates were referred
to and considered by the appropriate
committee and after a thorough canvass
of the merits of those seeking the posi-
ton it recommended Mr.. Largent, the
present incumbent, who has served in
that capacity several years. When the
report of the committee reached tha full
board a new nam Was sprung, that Of a
gentleman who was known to only one
member. who had never even been heard
of by a majority, and who had not t4ken
the trouble TO file an application. How
ever, he had one friend at court, ard that
friend attempted to railroad him through,
This brought about a long discussion,
interrupted by numerous informal bal
lots, and finally a formal ballot was
taken and the report of the committee
sustained, and MIR, Lareent elected by d
majority Of the board. Naturally, ii WIS
supposed that the question was settled:
night the board went Into executiya SEES.
sion, and reconsidered the ballot by
which Mr.. LaTgent was elected, and set
a future date for a new election. What
influenced some of the member to
change their minds during the date Of
the two meetings was not stated. The
excuse given Was that members might
have more time in which to consider; a
reasonable supposition is that those
opposed to Mr.. Largent worried some
members into their way of thinking and
induced them to vote for a reconsidara-
ton, The plea for time is hardly we'll
founded. Mr.. Largent is we'll KNOW in
Great Falls, be has held the position
for years, and his merits aud dement's
were fully discussed both at the com.
mittee and board meeting. Neither
his competency nor character can
be successfully challenged, and this
leads to the logical conclusion that
the opposition springs largely from
purely personal motives on the part OF
one or more members Of the board. Such
conduct cannot be justified. A public
office is to be administered for the public
good, not to crafty the likes or dis
likes Of the incumbent. The fitness
Of Mr., Largent and bis honorable
election being conceded, the public will
wonder at the peculiar method invoked
an attempt to ~dispiaco him, The re
consideration of any vote by which 3
is elected is g doubtful o&pedient,
The reconsideration Of a BAL: vote il
certainly open to legal objections, but in
dependant Of this there is d moral aspect
TO the case that should not ba over
looked. The board in d regular and law
full manner 10 accordance with it's rules
Mr.. Largent, and whea it did go,
into a contract With lim; 10 seek
to arbitrarily, without cause, obrogare
that contract, is a proceedln2 that can
not find favor among those WHO hold to
the observance Of the ruIa, ")o unto
others, etc. The trustees slaUd eet d
better example of morals TO both
teachers and pupils, for their actions in
matter interests both these
Sharp practices may accom-
plish a purpose, but a victory at the ex.
pense Of principle is dearly won.
Let us hope that by the time of the
meeting the trustee will have
thought this subject over in all its bear
ings and reached the conclusion to stick
10 thci" first vote and yindIcate the
right Of Mr.. Largent to the position. 1t
will be a simple act of justice to them.
selves and the public and it viii be nc
more nor less than RIGHT.
EVIL OMEN.
II the Ynung gar of Eus.ia is at all