Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-10-27
Menace to Kansas Schools
FRANK NELSON UNFIT TO SERVE
AS SUPERINTENDENT.

and Not Identified with tho states Edu
catiOnal Growth.
The time was when the Republican
party OF Kansas selected from among
the ablest educators OF the state its
candidate for Superintendent OF Pub
nc instruction. In years past when
the party has nominated political
trimmers with unsavory records for
other offices, it's convention dared
not outrage the people by selecting
for this high Office other than man
with state wide reputation as an
educator and teacher,
This year, however, the private
interests OF few Republican bosses
were considered paramount to the
interests OF the public schools ofKan-
Bas, and in the nomination OF 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 q few Of his henchmen.
This young man, scarcely over thir-
ty years of age, u resident OF Kansas
six years, and unknown to the teach
ers OF the state, Is put forth as the
guardian OF thepublc schoolsystem.
The sum total OF Nelson's connec-
tiOn with the schools OF Kansas Is
that OF teacher OF elocution two
terms IN Bethany College, and insti-
kuNt In
He has never taught a day in the
public schools, and more than that, in
Mcpherson county where he known,
he has never affiliated with the teach,
ers, and to this day has never been
granted even third grade certif-
cate. Frank Nelson is simply a local
politician in Mcpherson county, and
his nomination was made to carry
out q political deal, thus degrading
the cause Of education by dragging
1t down into the mire of political
Chicanery and corruption.
The inside history OF Nelson's
nomination ought to be known
to the people OF Kansas. The
great masses OF the people who
are proud OF our splendid pub
lie school system have no interest in
the local wrangles and quarrels Of
Mcpherson county Republican office
seekers. For years, jim Simpson,
Cy Leland's chief satellite, and Far
mer Smith have been fighting for po-
htlcal supremacy in McPhersoncou
ty. Both are tarred with the same
stick so far as odlous records are
concerned. First Smith would run
a county convention, and then Simp-
son would get the upper hand of him
and run the next one. This year 1t
seemed to be Smiths time Simpson
wanted to be railroad commissioner
again, in the event OF the election OF
the Republican state ticket in Nov
ember, and, OF course, he could not
expect to win out il he permitted his
old time political enemy to select
the delegates from Mcpherson coun-
ty to the Republican state conven-
ton.
Simpson thought the matter over
and an idea came to him. II willrun
Frank Nelson, OF Llndsborg, for
State Superintendent" he said. "By
doing this Can get help from the
north part OF Mcpherson county to
beat Smith In the county conven.
ton, and local pride will help me to
get delegation that can be put
where want 1t for other candidates
and enable me to get enough pledges
60 fix myself for railroad commits
gloner" Young Nelson, OF course,
was willing to be used as Simpsons
tool, and when Leland and his ma
chine went to Hutchinson the deal
was cOnsumated. Peairs and other
well known educators were candi-
dates for this office, but they were
ruled out and hooted down. Their
friends were not even permitted by
]. Il. Burton, who was running the
convention under orders of Leland
and Simpson, to place them in nom
nation.
But the great cause OF education,
che elevation OF the public school
system to the highest standard, to
the end that Kansas may retain her
place in educational work among the
states Of the union, are themes and
thoughts which never entered the
brains OF such men as Cy Leland and
Jim Simpson. These machine man
lpulators regard the sacred cause of
education with the same concern as
they would the result of a state or
county convention which they had
packed with their ward bummers
and party heelers. What do they
care about the public schools OF Kan
sas? Why should they elect well
known educator for state superin-
tendent when an ordinary lOcaFpoh.
tician without standing among the
teachers OF the state would better
serve their purpose?
The public school system OF Kan
Bas ia the pride OF the people. 1t ia
the most precious heritage that can
be vouchsaied to their children.
They intend that the present high
standard shall not be endangered by
electing to the position OF state sup
erlntendent an incompetent who is
expected to carry out the ideas OF a
corrupt machine now in control of
the Republican party. On the con-
trary, the people may be relied upon
TO 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
dreds OF thousands OF dollars in the
price Of school books, than any man
who has ever filled that office. Prof. |
VIM. Stryker need not fear the politi-
cal combination seeking to supplant |
him with the young politician from