Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-10-27
JASON {. HAM M0ND,
MICHIGAN


III Ins.ructlon.
The denomination by reclamation OF
i IT State Superintendent of Public In
i ruction, has given well merited APP
royal TO the work OF his first term,
rhich has been such as not only to
! all forth the commentator OF all
lasses throughout Michigan, but has
lso given him an enviable reputation
other states. as is evidenced by
he words of President Draper, of the
University OF Illinois, who wrote to
Esupt. Hammond Il know something
II the work of state superintendent
Find feel bound TO say. what you are
loing. as indicated by your publica-
'FAons. Is among the very best which
has been performed In the country.
This success is no surprise TO those
Ffamiliar with his history throughout
the few years which have interviewed
Fsince he. motherlesS country lad, be-
gan to show signs of the perseverinS
pluck which has placed him in his
,present position of trust and respon-
sibllity. First as a hard working ana
ambitious youth, he, in summer,
earned on the farm the wherewithal
to carry him through the winter term
OF school, during which he worked for
his board Next, as n struggling stu
don't at Hillslale and Michigan Agrl-
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 i'll few years given
the responsible position of county
commissioner of schools in his native
county. In this enlarged field his
executive ability was manifested by
the successful method whereby he Sc
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
snondcnce 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 handy little volume on
Michigan School Law which has
proven a boon TO school officers and
teachers.
He has turned n large measure OF
his attention toward the betterment OF
the rural schools and has issued sew
eral publications specially for theil
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 mos
helpful publications sent out from the
Department Of Public Instruction" 81
good an authority rs State Superinten
dent Skinner of New York, writes o.
them as follows: These publication.
show careful preparation and do grea
credit to your department. Your Sug
gestive Special Day Exercises is tht
best publication of the kind eve
brought out"
His tour of inspection through diff
ferent parts of the state last white
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 il
his recently issued annual report, in
finely illustrated wrte-up of these ri
raj schools. This report also contain
some helpful suggestions on schoo
architecture. given for the remodelin
OF old buildings or the building Of ney
ones.
Ii is into such practical channels n
this that Supt. Hammond has directe
his energy; and all his tours about tn
state bear fruit, soon or late, in helI
full suggestions for existing evils.
His most recent publication, TEX
book Legislation-Facts and Figures,
is especially timely, furnishing 10 tn
numerous districts which are this yea
compelled TO vote on this importan
question, the means to do so INTEL
gently.
lie has the courage Of his conviC
tions and has recently registered
timely protest against the reprehens
be methods of some textbook publish
ers, expressing his belief that schoo
book agents sometimes exercise undu
influence in this matter Of textbooks
He does not hesitate to assert his cor
yiction that 1.-THE time has come whe
school officers, teachers, and Others
should face the questions which col
front them. and not rely upon pull
fishers and book lobbyists for their ii
formation"
Only practical and progressiy
man who is keenly alive to all TIE et
ucational interests Of the State, an
who devotes his entire time to oflici;
duties, could have accomplished 5
much during first term; and when
this record is added the fact til;
Supt. Hammond is n man of unsullie
reputation and patriotic, stanch Il
publican, 1t goes without saying thu
the people will in November pile up
big majority to show their approval {
the State Conventions choice, an
their appreciation of his efficient a,
miDistration.
"Cyclone Davis" the great Popul
leader Of Texas, predicts that the Den
ocrats I'm 1900 will nominate Dewe
and FitZhugh Lee for president al
vice-president. This prediction wi