Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-06-08
FOR 4 HIGH HONOR,
P. o. Silver, Of Freeport, Sug-
gested for State Super.
intendent.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOR HIM

Would Make a Strong Democratic Nom
inee and Conditions Generally Point
to the Success of His Candidacy
His Record as an Educator-Other Of
fees to BE Voted For.
As the time for holding the democrat
ic state convention is rapidly approach
ing, the composition of the ticket be-
gins to assume Importance. The fail
ure of the republican national admin
istration to usher in the era of pros
perity SO freely promised in the cam-
paign of 1896. and the notorious mis-
rule of the state republican admins
tration under Tanner, make it very
probable that the democrats will elect
their state as well as their legislative
ticket next November. 1t is, there
fore, very important that wise nomi-
nations be made in the state, congress
sional and senatorial conventions.
have shown peculiar fitness for the
Offices to be filled, should he named.
There are but two officers. aside
from the three trustees Of the state
university, to he elected on the state
ticket-trcasurer and superintendent
Of public instruction. For the former
two names have thus far been pro-
poscd-those of George Reisch. Of
Springfield, and +. Dunlap, of Jack
sonville. Both of these gentlemen
are well qualified and have been life
long democrats. Either would make
Il successful run.
For the office of superintendent
several good men have been proposed.
notably Prof. David Felmley, of the
state normal school; Supt. Il. c.
County Supt. Henry A. Foster. of
Pontiac; Prof. Alfred Kirk. of the
southern Illinois state normal. and
Supt. George c. Smith. Of Arcola-all
good and competent men, it may be
remarked i'll passing.
The Right Man for state Superint0nde
But as the nominee for treasurer
will probably come from the southern
half of the state, the convention will
doubtless look to the northern diyis-
ion for the nominee for superintendent.
The ARGUS therefore proposes for this
office the name of Prof. L. y. Silver.
of Frecport. He is man cmincntlv
qualified to discharge the duties of
the position. and is possessed of those
elements of popular strength which
would make his success al the polls
almost certain. In educational quail
lications and in the preparation that
comes from extended and successful
experience in the performance of du-
ties similar to those of this office he
has no superior in the state.
Prof. Silver is in the prime of life.
having been born in Pennsylvania ~
years ago. He removed to this state
when young man. and has been con-
nectcd with the public school system
in one capacity or another for %
Nyears-l2 rs teacher. eight rs
county superintendent and three as
member of the Freeport board of edu-
cation. During this long period and
i'll these various capacities he has ac-
quircd an insight into the needs of
our public schools such rs few pos
sess. As regards competency he
would be an ideal candidate. His
strength among the people is shown
by the fact that he was elected to the
supcrintcndency in the republican
county of Stephenson in 1886 by 1875
majority and was reelected in 1890 bv
a majority of 1903. He was again
nominated in 1894. but went down
along with many other good men and
true dcmocrats-in the republican
tidal wave which swept the country
THAT year, although at that time he
was only defeated by the narrow mar
gin of 81 votes and ran from go
To l9O votes ahead of the other
candidates upon his ticket.
| Personally Prof. Silver is modest
and unassuming man: brought up on
n farm and compelled to make his
Town way in the world from an early
lagc. He has no educational hobbies
to ride and is intent only on perform
ing his duty in whatever position he
may he placed to the full measure Of
his ability, and in plain, common
sense manner.
| The ARGUS feels. therefore. that the
nomination of Prof. Silver is sur.
lgested by his educational qualities
tons, official experience, geographical
location, and also by motives of DO