Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-04-15
THE COURSE OF Mr.. AMENr.
Disregard fer the Interest OF the School
In His RespPointment.

THE COURSE OF MR.. AMENr.
Disregard fer the Interest OF the Schools
In His Resppointment.
The ARGUS has not pursued q
vindictive attitude in its course as
regards Supt. Ament. Its aim has
been during the past year. as it has
ALWAYS been, to advance the interest
of the Rock Island public schools.
Our common school system has never
had q stauncher, more steadfast
friend than tbs ARGUS has ALWAYS
sought to be. In its entire criti-
cism of Mr.. Ament it has been guided
solely by its duty to the schools.
and during the last few months it has
been repeatedly appealed to to con-
tinue its exposure Of Mr.. Anent's
method. 1t has RETAINED from do
ing SO Systematically, not because it
believed it had made any mistake In
what it had done, but because as
surances had come to it that three
members of the board were con-
WINGED that Mr.. Ament was not the
man for superintendent, and that
further criticism of him was unnec-
essary and might only tend to CON-
plete the disruption Of the school
government which he had started.
While it was represented that The
Argos had succeeded in curbing Mr..
Ament's disposition and that he had
acted more affable toward his corps
Of teachers, vet THE ARGUS knows
that it had from the first discerned
his true character and that his after
demeanor was purely superficial.
But it relied on the good judgment of
the majority Of the board to do its
duty in the interests of the schools.
rather than by surFenderipg to him
to sustain what Mr.. Ament has al
ways boosted of-his power to '.ride
down opposition" to him.
The absolute disregard for the petit
tons of 200 citizens shows how cIev-
erly Mr.. Ament had worked his
scheme for reelection. and how well
founded was the assurance he made
prior to the vote. that he knew how
it would come out. His reelection
was due to compassion and s-nti-
mcnt entirely and the tolerance
which the two produced in his favor
form all the more decided contrast
with the business like stand assumed
by President Robbins and Director
Sinnet, who are commended on all
sides today for taking a practical
view Of the interests Of the public
schools rather than a sentimental
one. Well may these gentlemen-as
Director Sinnet said he was willing
to-feel that they can stand by their
votes of last night. when future de-
velopments demand that the record
be reproduced.
The Present Duty In the Premises.
Despite the broad assertion made
by Mrs. Hamilton last evening that
the allegations that had been made
concerning Mr.. Ament we're either
misrepresentation or direct false.
hood. The ARGUS is prepared to
prove every assertion it has made,
and notwithstanding the unpleasant
ness of the task il proposes to do it.
That public sentiment is thorough
ly aroused by the action OF the
board last evening, was shown today
by the numberless expressions of in
dignation that have come to THIS
ARGUS Office both in person and by
telephone, and demands from all
parts Of the city have come for g
mass meeting to protest against the
action and it is very probable tina,
this sentiment will crystalline in
some form of public expression
Ever since the first exposition of the
character Of the superintendent there
has been an undercurrent OF feeling
against the superintendent. which
has now come to the surface ia 9
manner which cannot be misuuder
stood. fr-
Tho Action " Irregular.
Mrs. Hamileon's position was cor
rect in assuming that the appoint
ment was irregular at last evening,
meeting. The custom has beer
adopted heretofore merely as for
malitv, and where there was no con
test it was observed, but the new
board alone has the appointing powe
for the ensuing year, 10 that the &C
ton Of last evening in view Of tn,
division which has never haretofor,
occurred. must be ratified by tn,
incoming board.
| How the Teachers feel.
A canvass was made this mornin!
of the teachers of the schools in or
der to learn if any difference ha,
taken place in the feeling heretofore
expressed toward Supt. Ament, ant
many OF them were found in actua
despair over the boards action O
last evening. some Of them havin:
been crying over what they term
calamity. Suffice it to saw that tn
investigation affords the information
that out of SO outside of the Higl
school whose sentiments are known
Az are opposed to the present super
intendent.
When Travelling,