Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-08-30
Competency Against Politics in the
Selection of a School Superin-

tendency.
MIR. EDITOR: During the past month
much has been said in the papers about
the contest for the office of county
superintendent of schools, but those
VINO are perhaps most intimately asso-
clated with the office have scarcely been
heard, refer to the teachers. One ex-
preston has been made by representa-
tive body of teacher in set Of resolu-
lions published last month. Those reso-
lutlons were candid and reasonable.
Whatever may be the outcome of the
present contest, the truth of their first
proposition remains, and is worthy of the
careful attention of thoughtful men if
they value the welfare of our schools.
The proposition made by the teachers
is; 1--WE feel that the welfare of the
schools of Delaware county is too i'm
portant to be subjected to the chicanery
ofpolitics and the caprice of political
parties Thus far l have not seen the
statement challenged or refuted, but it
has been neglected and overlooked by
political leaders. The professional poll
tlcian with ian ak to grind" has no use
for such facts. They do not appeal to
him nor suit his purpose, which is to get
some man into ;some office. 1t is not a
matter of great concern with him
whether the welfare of the people is
served or not, so long as his petty scheme
carries. He may know nothing about
the efficiency of school officers, but then
that ls not his business. His business
is to elect his man, not necessarily the
best man, but the man of the same
political stripe.
1t is beyond reasonable conception
why man of particular political be-
lief Is better than all others to supervise
the schools OF the county. 1t is not a
political office. Teachers should not be
selected because of their politics any
more than doctors are. When your
child is sick do you arouse the doctor in
the night and first ask his political be
lief? No, you say, "Come and help my
child When you hire teacher do you
ask if she is good teacher or if she is
gold democrat by belief?
l have always understood that in Del
aware county there was an intelligent
selection of teachers and that the coun.
ty ranks high in the average of teachers.
But at this particular time one does not
need to travel far in other counties to
lind that recent events in this county
have caused many people to look in this
direction with surprise at the careless
ness shown toward the welfare of the
schools do not mean that there are
not good men in the county, or that the
contest now is between incompetent
men. That is not it. There is surprise
say that Delaware county allows an
educational office to be kept under the
control of politicians. would not be
here. should not dare
to say That the doctor selected, because
he was of certain political belief, was
q poor doctor and would lose his case.
L would say, however, that the parent
who selected doctor upon such grounds
alone was criminally careless and negli-
gent of his child's welfare.
The whole question then is, shall the
selection of man to supervise our
schools be because of political belief, or
because of his competency? Shall the
office be subject to the caprice of politi-
cal parties or shall the voter use his in.
telligencs and judgment?
Much more might be said on the ques-
ton, but as teacher from the outside
l wish to add my word to the sentiment
of the Delaware county teachers in their
efforts to lift an educational office from
political disrepute. S. f. HERsEY.
TOWER HILL.
The funeral of Mrs. Chas. Woods was
held from the residence of Jno. Houla-
han last Thursday and was very largely
attended, electromagnetic steemlin which
she was held by her numerous friends.
The sympathy of the entire coommun-
nity liz extended to the hprenyed rola-