The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-10-28
Menace to Kansas Schools
FRANK NELSON UNFIT TO SERVE
AS SUPERINTENDENT.

0fxperiencc Of the Alleged ssProfessorss
from ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Confined to
Two Years q Teacher Of ElocutiOn In
<Bethany College j Has No Certificate
sand Not Identified with the States Edu.
sca4aonal Growth.
The time was when the Republican
the ablest educators of the state it's
candidate for Superintendent of Pub
sa3c Instruction. In years past when
eEhe party has nominated political
Swimmers with unsavOry records for
other Offices it's convention dared
aOr this high office other than man
with state wide reputation as an
educator and teacher.
This year, however, the private
interests of a few Republican bosses
were considered paramount to the
Interests of the public schools of Kan-
ssass and in the nomination of a can
<didate for Superintendent of Public
instruction young Frank Nelson,
<of Mcpherson county, was picked up
because he might be of service to Cy
LELAND and few Of his henchmen.
This young man, scarcely over thir-
ty years OF age, a resident of Kansas
six years, and unknown to the teach
~erS OF the state, is put forth as the
guardian OF the public school system.
= The sum total of Nelson's connec-
'Sion with the schools of Kansas is
that of teacher Of elocution two
terms in Bethany College, and insti-
Sute work in Mcpherson county,
lie has never taught a day in the
IN sc,0t 4.
Mel hersOn county where he is known,
ssse has never affiliated with the teach.
sers, and to this day has never been
%granted even q third grade certifi-
scate. Frank Nelson is simply local
politician in Mcpherson county, and
his nomination was made to carry
'Sout q political deal. thus degrading
: the cause of education by dragging
at down into the mire of political
rhicanery and corruption.
2He inside history of Nelson's
nomination ought to be known
ito the people of Kansas. The
sgreat masses of the people who
ARE proud of our splendid pub
sthe local wrangles and Quarrels of
MCPHERSON county Republican Office
seekers. For years, Jim Simpson,
Cy Leland's chief satellite, and Far
amer Smith have been fighting for DO
Htica1 supremacy in Mcpherson cOun-'
N- Both are tarred with the same
stick SO far as odiOus records are
concerned. First Smith would run
n county convention, and then Simp
$50. would get the upper hand OF him
'aAd run the next one. This year it
sseemed to be Smiths time. Simpson
wanted to be railroad commissioner
again, in the event of the election of
the Republican state ticket in Nov
, amber, and, OF course, he could not
ssxpect to win out If he permitted his
odd time political enemy to select
the delegates from Mcpherson coun-
Sy to the Republican state cOnven-
1aiOn-
simpson thought the matter over
Frank Nelson, of LindsbOrg, for
State Superintendent" he said. ''By
doing this Can get help from the
saorth part of Nc Pherson county to
cheat Smith in the county cOnven.
sSion, and local pride will help me to
Nget a delegation that can be put
where L want it for other candidates
and enable me to get enough pledges
s DO Fix myself for railroad commits
'lsiOner." Young Nelson, of course,
was willing to be used as Simpsons
chine went to Hutchinson the deal
was consumated. PEARS and other
well known educators were candi-
cSaates for this Office, but they were
a1uied out and hOOted down. Their
asriends were not even permitted by
u. R<BurtOn, who was running the
convention under orders of Leland
sznd Simpson, to place them in NOM
aanation.
But the great cause of education,
skhe elevation Of the public school
system to the highest standard. to
Sfhe end that Kansas may retain her
splaoe In educational work among the |
estates OF the union, are themes and
skAOughts which never entered the |
EhrAins of such men as Cy Leland and
4Jtm Simpson. These machine man.
S3pNiators regard the sacred cause of
seluoation with the same concern as
s&hay would the result of q state or
NEUuaty convention which they had
7pAcked with their ward bummers |
s1Md party heelers. What do they |
s1Asa Why should they elect a well
known educator for state superin-
'z1endent when an ordinary local poll. |
e71cian without standing among the |
StH1chers of the state would better |
sserve their purpose?
The public school system of Kan |
s8as is the pride of the people. 1t is
The most precious heritage that cant
be vouchsafed to their children. |
Rkey intend that the present high |
standard shall not be endangered by |
'eIecting to the position of state sup
srintendent an Incompetent who is
expected to carry out the ideas of a
corrupt machine now In control of |
seate Republican party. On the con-
xrary, the people may be relied upon
10 cast their votes for the man who
has done more to advance the cause
of education. lift higher the standard
IN the public schools of the state, |
and save the people OF Kansas hum
.a1rcds OF thousands Of dollars I'm the