Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-27

Bend, Neb.. previous to that, TIE
ARGUS some weeks ago wrote to
those places. The letters of inquiry
stated particularly that the design
was not to create prejudice against
the superintendent or to obtain in
formation from prejudicial sources.
Above all things the idea was not to
do the man an injustice. The letters
were solicited with the understand
ing that they might be published if
desirable, and while great number
Of them have been received, The
ARGUS publishes but few here, and
let it be understood in the same con-
nection all those evincing q personal
feeling have been eliminated.
Enough is given. however. to- show
she sentiment ut other places than in
Rock Island toward him. Az
Eron . Board Msmber.
CARROLL. Iowa. April 25.-Edi-
tor of The ARGUS: Your favor of
the oath inst. received and con-
tents noted. cannot tell you very
much about j., E. Ament that will be
new to you. because from what l
have heard of his conduct in Rock
Island it is just about a duplicate OF
what 1t was in Carroll. BY some
hypnotic mystery he captured q ma
jority of our school board. He
abused the teachers in teachers
meetings the same in Carroll that he
has in Rock Island. Our school
board something over a year ago
made . Swear contract with him
shortly before the spring election.
which aroused SO much opposition
and feeling that another gentleman
and myself we're elected members OF
the school board. which action SO far
as am concerned, was wholly unex-
pected. This made majority
against Mr.. Ament, and Rock Island
helped us solve the problem by en-.
PloyiDg him at an advanced salary,
for which act Rock Island has nv
eternal gratitude.
He paid us visit during the win.
| ter, and while here be stated that be
had Rock Island right under his
thumb. illustrating the expression
by extending his thumb. He said to
another party here that he had three
members of the school board OF Rock
Island under his thumb, illustrating
the matter by pressing his thumb
downward IS though he had . school
director Hereunder.
We found him arbitrary in all his
methods and constantly increasing
the expenses of the school. He
fcould not get position as primary
teacher in Carroll If he would donate
his services. l remain, yours truly,
< II. W.. MAcoMBER.
History Repeats ITSELF
Says Mr.. Macomber further in
acknowledging the receipt Of a copy
Of Mr.. Ament's defense from Presi
dent Robbins: IL presume l car
congratulate you now as being well
rid Of him, as I noticed that he winds
up his long -labored defense with the
statement that he has resigned.
have read the article carefully. 1,
seems to me that it is total failure,
except in one thing, and that il that
it appears that he has HOODWINKED
some good men into giving him let.
tiers Of recommendation. There il
no question but what be has . faculty
Of getting some people under his con-
troll. We had instances of that kind
here which were q surprise to all ouv
people, but for what do letters oil
Recommendation or ability or any.
thing else count in the light of his
career at North Bend, Carroll and
Rock Island. His statements so far
- many Of them concern Carroll, are
false. but what good will it do OF
what use to contradict anything thai
he says or has said? He is done for.
No sane school board in the light oil
he experience or in the light Of his
career in the past i've years would
employ him. So far ~ am person
ally concerned. do not care the snap
tof my finger What he says. about ne.
l am glad You have gotten him on
your haads. You never could have
had any peace or success in your
schools - long - he rsmsined. I"
In another letter Mr.. Mscombel
says: at seems that the nub in the
whole matter is the man Ament
Can it DO possible that they oh
board) forgot that he had the san<
experience 1t North Bend. the iden
tical Same experience ut Carroll;
that in both pisces the people ross
Eagainst his .high-handed measure,
land ousted him. Erum Carroll be
lgoes to Rock Island and the sane 70
suits follow. Have not these thre>
members the common sense to know
that WHEN 81 oct Of II teachers ar,
protesting against the employment
OF him - superintendent that il 4
morally and logically impossible tia
lehsse 81 ladies ard Geatlemen. masy
tef whom pgosnDoa ne old teacher,