Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-10-18

Inc question: Oh now uney are 10 80 10
work to defeat Mason S. Stone of Mont
peler for the position of State Super
intendent of schools seem to be ABSORB
ing the attention of certain small ring
which is always conspicuous on the
side which favors its own interests irres-
pective of what may be best for the
good of Vermont. Finding they could
not succeed in their designs by using the
venerable S. w. Landon of Burlington
they let him drop and have dragged au-
other innocent old mann into their net
in the person of Mr., Dunton of Poullney
and the only argument they have yet
advanced is that Mr.. Dunton is a-worhy
old gentleman with good education.
All this may be true and no doubt it is
but is this good and sufficient reason
why he should be hoistcd into the posi-
ton now occupied in a most satisfactory
manner by man who understands ali
the needs of the present system of edu-
cation as we'll as being the originator
of new system which will doubtless
be instituted ere long? Ii is u signif-
cant fact that in all the arguments from
the Dunton faction not one word has
been said to indicate grain of dissatis-
faction with the present incumbent.
Ills competency is then undenied. The
only point therefore upon which his
opponents have been able to build their
claims is that he has held the office more
than one term and they say she has
had it long enough" Now no sound
minded citizen can be made for one mo-
ment to believe that education would be
benefited by reckoning the Office of
State Superintendent amongst those up
on which custom placed a time limit
Moreover, the very fact that so many
Of the State officers have been changed
this year lends force to the argument
that at least one should be left stand
ing. Further than this, system of
skilled supervision similar to that
in Massachusetts, is likely to soon
20 into effect in the State of Vermont.
This plan has been agitated and thor
,ughly investigated by Mr.. Stone and
lie alone is capable of being at the head
If affairs when this system is being or
,anized. No other man in the state
Knows better what towns can be united
o the best advantage, and in this line
MIR. Stone has devoted years of patient
tudy to the Improvement of education
Il institutions in the smaller towns.
This improvement with other similar
mes, he intends to incorporate in the
lew system. Should another man be put
n his place that man would have to be-
rim where MIR. Stone began 6 years
go and before he could be of as much |
'enefit to education in Vermont as Mr..
tone is today it will be six years hence
nd the Legislature of 1904 will then be
n session. The question then rests up
n the point as 10 whether it will seem
o our law makers the wisest plan to
vait six years for man to learn the
uties of his position in order to accom-
date small ring of kickers, or 10 rein
tate one who is today what any other
nan will have to wait for until 1904
nd even then he must show the result
+ constant study and research as to the
itellectual needs of the rising genera
on. After our wise Legislators have
uly deliberated upon the situation we
ave no doubt whatever of their final
and we trust that the other
lends of Mr.. Stone and of good educa-
on will not be daunted by the bragya-
oslo of the "Philistine" for although no
fort is being made to pull any of the
arious wires for Mr.. Stone, we are con-
dent that the merits of the man and .
le wisdom of the electors will reinstate
| the office of State Superintendent of
chools, Mason S. Stone of Vermont
id Montpelier. {
l1nnnlNIBsvV~Dr-
Mrs. Briggs of Morrisville has rented ,
% homo ,,lon1, 1,f Mr.. LNlln L a..I !.