Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-04-07

EDUCATIONAL ASSOC'N.
State Superintendent Collins Doesn't Wish
to be Misunler~tootl-Work
for the Meeting.
When it was learned that State Sup
Collins had concluded not
to call the annual meeting of the county
superintendents at this place imme-
diately following the State Education
al association, as has always been the
custom, the writer began an active cor
respondence with Mr.. Collins and 9TH
ers who would be interested in the
matter, to try and persuade Superin-
tendent Collins to change his decision.
The question was discussed thoroughly
by correspondence and we believe the
business of the Black Hills in claiming
to be entitled to the meeting of the
county superintendent was quite
plainly set forth-but to no avail. 1t
is true that the state superintendent is
privileged by law to call the meeting at
any place he chooses, but the fact that
the meeting has always been held ut
the same place as the state education
al association, justly entitled Hot
Springs to expect the state superln-
tendent would call the county super
intendents to meet here in August.
The state superintendent was re-
ceiving SO many letters regarding the
matter that he finally has resorted to
the newspapers to explain his position.
From his letter to the STAR for publi-
cation We make Il few eXcerps as we
are perfectly willing he should be
heard, with the hopes that no injustice
will be done him. In justification of
his course, Mr.. Collins says, in quite Il
lengthy letter:
ut has come to my knowledge that
there is an impression among certain
of the Black Hills people that l am
not in perfect sympathy with the Hot
Springs meeting of South Dakota edu-
Gators to be held August ) of this year.
wish to assure you that there is no
foundation for this opinion. * *' The
law provides that the state superin-
tendent shall call the county superin-
tendents in convention once each year
at such point in the state as he may
deem most suitable for that purpose,
and by explanation and discussion en-
deavor to secure a more uniform and
efficient administration of the school
laws Under this law l do not feel
justified i'll calling the county superin-
tendents to Hot Springs. ** The
law compels each county to pay five
cents mile each way to county super
intendent attending meeting called
by the state department. This law j.
un excellent one, but would be re
pealed, l believe, if abused. We al
get a very low rate to Hot Springs. ano
nearly all the county superintendent
are planning to make the trip, whicl
will cost them in railroad fare from 81:
to s25, depending upon the location
If had called them together at Ho
Springs, each county would have beer
required to pay from $50 to 800. *
We expect to get some educationa
benefits from the Hot Springs meet
ing; nevertheless the superintendent
and teachers as we'll, are looking fol
ward to this gathering as one in whic
pleasure shall be the chief factor
Many of the superintendents have sal
to me, we are going to have a bi
time-and outing-and we do not wis
the counties to be required to pay ou
bills and put money into our pocket
besides.' do not wish the Hot Spring
people to think me cranky or unfai
but cannot do what am convince
is contrary to both the letter and th
spirit of the law, as we'll as harmful
the best interests of the schools of th
state. Moreover, believe that 20
and the Black Hills people will agre
that the stand which 1 have taken
the only one that conscientious off
Ger in my position could take.
LUZ Lu0uy years CAc cuCcIDIlS0 Z
the Black Hills people has been pro
verbal, and the last few weeks hay
given me personal knowledge of thei
push and persistence. Like the Sout
Dakota prairie fire, they go after tn.
which they want, and with Yankee gr
they hang right on. Already SUI
erintendents, teachers and many otl
ers are planning to make this trip. n
doubt the Black Hills counties wi
have as many teachers enrolled at H,
Springs as are usually furnished /
the counties in the vicinity of ii
meeting, and if SO, in Hot Springs {
August 2, 1899, will meet the large
South Dakota Teachers associate
ever held in the state. We stand reat
to second every effort looking to b