Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-02-23
WOMEN SCHOOL SUPERVISORS.
How Mrs. Chase, Now u Bangor. Psvet
the Way Tor Them Ia Maine.

1t is notable fact that Maine has a,
the present day several efficient and sat.
our own Miss Mary Snow standing easii,
foremost on the list. But / wonder how
many people know that 1t was woman
supervisor who was the means of having
eligible to the office and legally be en-
titled to compensation for their work IN
the position.
During the last three years Of her resi-
Chase. wife of DR.. r. H. Chase of this
city, held the position OF supervisor OF
schools, TO the general satisfaction of the
public and the advancement of all school
work. Upon first visiting the schools she
found sucha non-unifcrmity of text books
in every study. that she felt there must
be something done at once. But as in all
country places. money was scarce. AID
many on the parents when appealed to
in regard to a change OF books. could not
be induced to see that uniform text books
were needful.
Mrs Chase put on her best thinking
zap. to see what could be done. She corr
responded with many school book firms
and had samples of their publica tons
sent to her for examination. Finding
books that she considered suitable she
went to Boston and New York and after
much persuasion. succeeded in having
the old books. even II only few lines
We're left of them, replaced for every pu.
pill. by the new books. entirely free of
cost. In this manner a perfect uniform
ity of books was obtained and over
No books We're put into the Is schools
Under her charge.
She wonders now how she ever did
such n work as every new book was only
given. upon the receipt of an old book
In exchange and in many cases 1t was
hard work to find enough leaves TO con-
stitute Il book to exchange.
The new books were registered for five
years and the benefit to the schools WAS
wonderful. When Mrs. Chase was told
Sd. l...fs.
town meeting and read her report en- the
schools. it seemed TO her an impossible
thing to do and she begged to be allow d
to send man substitute.
But the voters insisted Upon the per-
sOnal presence of the supervisor when
they had elected. Taking with her a
bevy of lady friends. She went TO the
town hall and read her report. The ut
she was sratiiied when the report WAS
accepted and voted the best that had
ever been given. and she was again elect
ID. An amusing incident occurred as
she left the hall. An, old gentleman
came forward and shook her hand and
said: Il tell YOU. Miss Chase. YOU re- the
The best supervisor We ever had and our
schools Is better than we ever thought
they could begin to he. the teachers
like We. the scholars like We. and | like
We. but | didn't vote for We before an |
hain't agoin to this time. for l bleeve
a woman's place is to the wash tub
An. even in country places thought has
changed and yet there are men jim our
city who ''bleeve' as he did. Where
were Il few men who We're indignant that
a woman should be given a town Office
and place that in their estimation be-
longed to man. and though admitting
the great good done in the school work by
their woman supervisor. yet decided
that it was Illegal for woman to hold
the position and that Mrs. Chase could
not collect her pay. as the law stood and
they would fight against any infringe
ment of the law in their town.
This coming to the ears of Mrs. Chase
by way of her staunch supporters. she at
once decided 1t was best to have Il law
in the case that would prevent any an
nOyance to future women supervisors.
She promptly wrote to the Hancock coun-
ty representatives and senators at Att
gusta. placing the matter in their hands
and asking that it be brought before the
Legislature. Hon. T.. A. Emery of Els
worth. introduced the bill and it was
made a law THAT women should be
eligible to the office of supervisor of
schools. with all the emoluments pertain
ing to the Office" and Orland took great
pride in their woman supervisor making
one of the laws of Maine" except the
few men who said some pretty large
words at being outwitted by Il woman
Bangor COMMERCIAL.