Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-10-28
JASON {. HAM MON D,
MICHIGAN
Our Efficient superintendent of Publ

! The denomination by acclamation OF
our State Superintendent of Public In
struction, has given well merted ap-
lproval TO the work Of his first term,
(which has been such as not only 10
call forth the commendation of all
classes throughout Michigan, but has
also given him an enviable reputation
lin other States, as is evidenced by
the words of President Draper, of the
university of Illinois. who wrote to
tSupt. Hammond: Il know something
of the work of state superintendent
and feel bound to say, what you are
doing, as indicated by your publica-
lions. is among the very best which
has been performed In the country"
| This success is no surprise to those
familiar with his history throughout
the few years which have interviewed
since he, a motherleSs country lad, be-
gan TO show signs Of the persever1ng
pluck which has placed him In his
present position of trust and respQn-
Sibility. First as hard working and
Ambitious youth, he, i'll summer,
learned on the farm the wherewithal
ito carry him through the winter term
OF school, during which he worked for
his board. Next, as struggling STU
dent at IIillsdale and Michigan Agrl-
cultural Colleges, he cked out his slen-
der means by all sorts of odd jobs,
with an occasional term of teaching.
AFTER graduating with honors from
the Agricultural College. he Became
lsuch an earnest and efficient teacher
that he was in few years given
THE responsible position of county
commissioner of schools in his native
lcounty. In this enlarged field his
Executive ability was manifested by
the successful method whereby he Sc
cured the grading of the Ilillsdale
county schools, and the use of an al
most uniform series Of textbooks.
Then followed what was perhaps
1.-THE greatest surprise of his life in his
unsolicited selection by Supt. Patten-
gill as Deputy Superintendent Of Pub
lie Instruction. Here again his energy,
systematic habits, and comprehensive
grasp of details made themselves felt
in such successful conduct of the
routine work and large office CORE
,spondence as left Supt. Pattengill at
liberty to devote much of his time TO
personal work among teachers and
school officers Meanwhile the hard
and publish a handy little volume on
Michigan School Law which has
proven a boon to school officers and
teachers.
He has turned a large measure OF
his attention toward the betterment OF
the rural schools and has issued sew
eral publications specially for their
benefit. The revised State Manual and
~ OF of
lgestive Special Day Programs. are
Eagerly sought and used, scores Of let
tiers commencing them as 1.-THE most
helpful publications sent out from the
Department Of Public Instruction" SO
lgood an authority rs State Superinten-
dent Skinner, Of New York, writes OF
them as follows: These publications
Show careful preparation and do great
credit to your department. Your Sug-
.gestive Special Day Exercises is the
best publication of the kind ever
brought OUT
His tour of inspection through diff
ferent parts Of the state last winter
was another eXpedient for placing him.
self in touch with the needs Of teach
ers in country districts; and full re-
port of existing conditions appears in
his recently issued annual report, in a
finely illustrated write-up Of these ru-
raj schools. This report also contains
some helpful suggestions on school
architecture, given for the remOdeling
of old buildings or the building of new
ones.
Ii is into such practical channels as
this that Supt. Hammond has directed
his energy; and all his tours about the
state bear fruit, soon or late, in help
full suggestions for existing evils
His most recent publication Text
book Legislation-Facts and Figures"
is especially timely, furnishing TO the
numerous districts which are this year
compelled 10 vote on this important
question. the means 10 do so intelli-
gently.
He has the courage Of his convic.
tions and has recently registered n
timely protest against the reprehensi-
be methods Of some textbook publish
ers, expressing his belief that school
book agents sometimes exercise undue
influence In this matter of textbooks.
He does not hesitate to assert his con-
victlon that the time has come when
school officers, teachers, and others,
should face the questions which con-
front them. and not rely upon pub
fishers and book lobbyists for their in
formation"
Only Il practical and progressive
iuan who is kccnly alive to all the ed
ucational interests Of the State and
who devoteS his entire time TO official
duties, could have accomplished so
much during first term; and when To
this record is added the fact that
Supt. Hammond is man of unsullicd
reputation and n patriotic, stanch Re
publican. ii goes without saying that
the people will in November pile UP n
big majority to show their approval OF
the State Conventions choice. and
their appreciation of his efficient adj
ministration.
Cyclone Davis the great POpulst
leader of Texas, predicts that the Dem
ocrats In 1900 will nominate Dewey
and Fitzhugh Lee for president and
yipo- urpsidpnt This prpdipfion will