The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-02-24
Practical Remarks.

Practical Remarks.
In accepting the nomination for county
commissioner of schools, u. l.. Bristol ad-
dressed the republican county convention as
follows:
have no oratorical ability and am only an
excuse as speech maker; but II am not able
to tell 1t, am able to feel a deep sense OF
gratitude to the republicans OF Shiawassee
county for twice nominating me by reclamation
for the ONCE of county commissioner Of schools
1 trust that fully appreciate your kindness,
and hope that fully realize the responsibility
resting upon me for the improvement and ad'
vancement of the schools of this our county.
than which there is no better county, / believes
In this or any other state. II to be thus twice
nominated signifies the increased confidence OF
the people of Shiawassee county, II also signi'
des increased responsibility resting upon me To
fulfill that trust; for unto whomsoever much
Is given, OF him shall be much required: and to
whom men have committed much, OF him they
will ask the more"
While II Is not my place to speak of the sue
cess or failure of my work during the past two
years, I believe l can truthfully say that my
failures have been due TO lack of ability and
Judgment rather than to honest effort. One
Of the chief duties of the office OF commissioners
OF schools, and Of any other ONCE within the
gift OF the people, is fidelity to trust and the
upbuilding Of the peoples interests along the
particular line for which the ONCE was created.
This duty is especially delegated to and i'm
posed upon the commissioner of schools by
law, which says, among his powers and duties,
that he shall promote, by such means rs he
may devise, the Improvement OF the schools of
the county; and the elevation OF the character
and qualifications of the teachers and officers
thereof"
detest the deplorable idea that seems to be
current in some localities and among certain
class of people, that running for office is simply
q squabble for public job, in which the most
tricky wins; that holding an ONCE is about all
there Is OF importance in 1t, aside from drawing
the salary; that the office holder is not neces.
sarily supposed to I'LL the ONCE. much less to
confer honor upon 1t II 1t lies in his power to
do so.
We hear much about corruption in politics.
1t is my belief that II there is corruption in
politics there is also corruption among the
mass OF people that comprise the body polite;
they are either corrupt in their political acts,
and responsibility.
Under q representative government where
every man is vested with the elective franchise,
no man can waive responsibility for political
evil by saying, Il did not vote, or 1 did not at
tend the caucus" for in both Of these lies his
Interchangeable duty and his failure to attend to
either makes him guilty OF any evils that may
arise therefrom.
He who does his whole duty is not guilty Of
wrong, even though he is unable to prevent it.
II there is corruption In politics, the place to
purify it is In the home and In the school. No
grand sweep Of the political field by any politi-
cal party will ever purify politics. The muddy
stream is not clarified by the inception of clear
spring water at its mouth; 1t must be fed by
clear spring water to be pure, and not by the
muddy water of the swamp and the putrid cess
pool.
We must educate the youth OF our broad land
to nobler, a more Industrious, more think
ing, and hence a more intelligent citizenship
Close up the public schools Of America for ten
years and the unprecedented victories Of the
last year would be as impossible to US as they
are now to ignorant, tottering Spain
According to the verdict of the civilized
world our success at arms has not been due to
superior numbers but to superior skill. Now,
superior skill comes from superior intelligence;
superior intelligence from superior mental
training; and this mental training comes, and
must come, from the knowledge and training
derived from our superior public school system.
Strike out our free schools and you take away
the nations strongest prop, and the surest sup
port and safeguard to the liberties of the people
and to a republican form of government.
Perfect and maintain free education, educate
the masses of the people, and our glorious
"Ship of State" will sail firmly and majestic
ally onward through time; and unchanged by
age, unscarred by despotism or anarchy, her
proud sails unrent by ignorance or barbarism.
at last loaded with the precious souls of q
proud, happy, and well governed people,
she will anchor safely in eternity's harbor, no
more to breast the gales of earth or battle with
;p;,, nd