Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-09-28
REPUBLICAN TICKET.
AN OPEN LETTER.

Certain parties have been diligently |
circulating the report that, owing to
my alleged incompetency, the Board
of Supervisors have been instructed by
the State Superintendent to appoint a
deputy county superintendent, or as
some report it, thatI have, for the same
reasons, been instructed by the State
superintendent to have such an APP
pointment made. I irish to state most
alphabetically that such reports are db-
sOiuteiy false, and are, as | believe, Cir
culated for political effect. Anyone
with even less knowledge of school
laws than some of those circulating
these reports are supposed to have,
would know that such reports are false,
as the State Superintendent has no
authority to give such instructions.
The falsity of the reports can further
more be proven by referring to the
minutes of the board kept by the
auditor, or by writing to the state de-
partment.
The new law, which will become
operative October l, 1897, will require
that "a candidate for county superin-
tendent hold first-class certificate, or
state certificate or diploma" but does
not state how a first-class certificate
can be obtained by person now serv-
ing as county superintendent.
The last certificate granted me in
| this county was a first-class, issued
October 3, 1890, although the then
serving county superintendent now
says, or is reported as having stated
two years ago, that i never held one.
| Possibly he thinks he can prove his
assertion, because he never placed the
issuing of said certificate on record.
At or about the time the Board OF
Supervisors met last June, | learned of
| the requirements of the new law as
stated. Wishing to comply with said
requirements, in order to be eligible
for reelection to the Office which
have held but one term, UOtuntdriiy
appeared before the board and asked
them to approve of the appointment of
a deputy county superintendent to con-
duct either the July or August exami-
nations, as shown by the minutes OF
the board. The appointment was
made for the purpose of giving me al
opportunity to pass an examination fol
certificate, and for no other reason
,DhdteUer.
Subsequent advices from the state
: department, as well as personal CORE.
, spOndence with the state superintend-
ent, show that the appointment apoutd
not hare been necessary.
BY referring to the auditors books
| anyone can ascertain that the appoint
ed deputy has never collected penny
for services rendered and that his
authority as deputy was limited to the
conducting of one examination only.
. AS to my legal qualifications, / will
state that after consulting the state de.
partment, and acting in accordance
with advices received therefrom, i am
ready to carry that question into tile
courts. AS to my fitness otherwise fol
the position, / am willing to leave that
to the candid and unprejudiced judg.
ment. of the people If during the
time | have served as county superin-
, tendent, | have shown myself incOm.
, petent in conducting examinations, in
selecting institute instructors, in con.
Quoting institutes and teachers meet
ings, i'm visiting schools, or in giving
{ advice to those who have asked fol
, same, the people will settle that, and
settle it fairly if permitted to do SC
without the interference of parties
whose mission seems to be that o.
working up prejudice.
Two years ago, when the Republican
party nominated and subsequently
, elected me to the office of county super
intendent, | had not the experience
nor the qualifications for the office thai
, now have. Even if nave but .fdirL,
well performed the duties of the Office
during my first term, why should mo-
the privilege of serving second tern
be accorded to me as well as it has beer
to my predecessors?
| believe the people are honest an(
that they are ready and willing to do ;
fair thing by anyone who tries to dc
his duty.
The custom of both political parties
s in this county, has been, to give al
e officer who has tried to perform tn
duties of his office honestly and con
scientiously second term, and | hop
the Republican party to-day is, an,
a ever will remain true to party princi
}. pies and party presidents.
Yours truly,
q. q. HAUGEN.
r. S.-Since the above was pub1ishe,
: i'm the last weeks Republican MI
COffeen has called on me in person
and stated that he has never said tina
| never held a first-class certificate.
can accept his denial at face value. /
l. is possible that my informants do nc
: know what they are talking about. II
Loose clothes and downy cushion
bring only a negative sort of comfor
-. 81 l.. H.