The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-10-28
JASON z. HAMMOND,
On, EMOss.s supsrintsads.s OF rusaas
Instructisn-

Cur EmCeoDb bupefinSonoSes "
Instructisn-
The reconciliation by aec1amat1on o.
our State Superintendent Of Public IN
struction, has given wen msr1ted ap'
proval to the wsrk Of he first term
which has been such a. net only TO
call forth the comn,eDdatton OF an
classes throughout Michigan, but has
also given him an snvlable reputation
In other States, as 10 evidenced By
the words of President Draper, o. the
University Of Illinois, who wrote 10
Supt. Hammond. 81 know something
Of the work Of state superintendents
and feel bound to say, what you are
doing, as indicated by your publica-
lions. Is among the very best whioh
has been performed in the country"
This success is no surprise to those
familiar with his history throughout
the few years which have intervened
aince he, q motherless country lad, b.
gan to show signs Of the perseverine
pluck which has placed him In his
present position Of trust and responr
sibllity. First as q hard working and
ambitious youth, he, In summer,
earned on the farm the wherewtthal
70 carry him through the winter term
Of school, during which he worked for
his board. Next, as a struggling stu
dent at HilAdale and Michigan Agrt
cultural Colleges, he eked 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
such an earnest and efficient teacher
that he was In a few years given
the responsible position Of county
commissioner Of schools In his native
county. In this enlarged field bis
executive ability was manifested 81
the successful method whereby he So
cured the grading of the Hillsdale
county schools, and the use Of an al
most uniform series Of textbooks.
Then followed what was perhaps
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 a 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
working deputy found time to compile
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
Course Of Study, and booklet of Sug-
gestive Special Day Programs, are
eagerly sought and used, scores Of let
tiers commencing them as ''the most
helpful publications sent out from tho
Department of Public Instruction" So
good an authority as 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 10 tho
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 a full 70.
port Of existing conditions appears in
his recently issued annual report, In q
finely illustrated write-up Of these ru-
raj schools. This report also contains
some helpful suggestions on school
architecture, given for the remodelinI
Of old buildings or the building Of new
ones.
II Is into such practical channels a.
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 Legislatton-Facts and Figures"
is especially timely, furnishing to the
numerous districts which are this year
compelled to vote on this important
question, the means to DO 80 intelh-
gently.
He has the courage Of his convic-
lions and has recently registered O
timely protest against the reprehensi.
bic methods Of some textbook publish
ers, expressing his belief that school.
book agents sometimes exercise undue
influence In this matter Of textbook
He does not hesitate to assert his con.
viction 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 practical and progressive
man who is keenly alive to all the ed
ueational interests Of the State and
who devotes his entire time to official
duties, could have accomplished so
much during first term; and when to
ri A,,I q. aII r. a.
Eupt. Hammond Is q man Of unsullied
and a patriotic, stanch Re-
publican, 1t goes without saying that
the people will in November pile up q
big majority to show their approval Of
the State Conventions choice, and
their appreciation Of his Efficient ad-