The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1900-11-30
WISCONSIN LETTER.
Better Pay for Superintende nts in
Dane County.
LA FOLLETTES POLITICAL PLUMs
Very Few That Carry Good Salaries
Spiritualists at Fond du Lac
Shifting for Prizes.

county superintendent, Dane county
being divided into two districts. The
superintendent each receive $500 sal
airy. Mr.. HusebOe in the eastern dis
trict has the 157 schools of the seven
teen townships to look after, and Mr..
Ives in the western district about as
many. The superintendent must pay
at least 500 for his horse and buggy
ard it will cost him as much more to
keep the animal. He must live at ho-
tells and withal the salary is certainly
small for q man who is supposed to
know more than any of his teachers
and to be competent to supervise all.
In Rock county there are only twenty
townships and the superintendent re-
ceive 81 1000 each salary for practically
one-half the work.
The proposition TO give cur Dane
county superintendent their actual ex-
penses not to exceed 5000 year, was
carried, though with some opposition.
Moreover, the salary is to be increased
after the present terms expire. The
country members OF the board, who are
always opposed to increased compensa-
ton for public services, were brought
into line by the argument that while
the university handles per cent Of the
school products, these country super
,intendents deal with 50 per cent.
Certainly county superintendent
should be well paid, but the system
should be revised to get the highest
order Of trained ability - older and
more experienced men. State Superin-
tendent Harvey, it will be remembered,
tTo, I,7Y.i no Ia c1o
ture by proposing that these superin-
tendents in the seventy counties be APP
pointed by the state department. The
cry of home rule and the building up
of an educational machine was raised
and the movement did not go far. But
the principle is right and we shall hear
from 1t again. Skilled officials for
executive work should be appointive,
not elective. That is an admitted prin-
ciple of political science.
"a Fob in the Capital
upon his Inauguration Governor La
Toilette will have less than a dozen
positions at his disposal which are
worth consideration of men capable of
earning decent velihood''-Milwau-
kee Sentinel.
The fact is, many of the other po-
sitions are not worth taking, certainly
by many men who do take them. They
can command good living elsewhere.
But these men are very anxious to get
a job'-lt has a peculiar fascination,
and to capture one they bring to bear
all possible pressure. TO their feverish
Imagination every dollar gotten out OF
the state treasury is gold out of a clear.
sky The difference between $50 a
month from the state and the same
amount as reward for private indus
try is the difference between Christ.
mas presents and the sweat of ones
brow. And practically, it works this
way: The great good fortune occurs.
The man gets the job. His joy is I'M
bounded. Then the superintendent of,
public property promptly sets him to
work washing windows in cold wealth
er or the head of the department gives
him figures to add up that will con-
sumo three weeks and bring on Il head
ache. The appointee is surprised, dis
appointed, and his feelings are hurt.
1t occurs to him for the first time that
labor for the state is related to toll for
honest dollars in private life and some
times Identical The appointee is not
happy in hanging on and he is afraid
to let 90. He becomes bitter that he is
not given Il better class of work. Il
occurs to him that he could do as well
and even better in employment outside
and be free from the worry of holding
his Job and have more of a future.
Then he get grumpy and unhappy. 1t
often works this way: not always, but
often
10, nd vi hJJt ls.l fo1
that almost never does a man in good
health and able to get a job outside
show wisdom in tying himself up to
the capitol staff There are. exceptions.
where one realizes that it is Just a
matter of time before he is thrown out.
is not embittered by the fact and
thriftily puts by every cent he earns
while in the employ of the state. 1t
sometimes happens that pan wishes
to get his children into the schools, or
possibly the university. They all make
q start, and then there is a check to
the family fortunes and great disap-
pointment. Civil service under the
Write Dome would be blessing to
everybody. Perhaps Mr. LaFollette
will give it his attention.
He is elected by such a tremendous
majority that he is in position to tell
,ofticeseekers that he owes them moth
ing. Of.course, in time there will be a
number of changes, but it is now gen.
orally recognized that there will be no
extensive clear sweep.
Spirit Revivers Meet Today.
Today begins at Fond du Lac in the
opera house three days session of
spiritualists. One does not hear as
much about believers in this cult in
Wisconsin as forty years ago, when
Omro and other places abounded in
active adherents; indeed, this state has
graduated some mediums" Of national
reputation.
Among the star speakers at Fond
du Lac are Moses Hull, pastor, of the
First Spiritualist church of Buffalo.
N: Y: DIR. J. NJ. PEBBLES, of Battle
Greek; Mrs. Georgia Gladys Cooley and
Max Hoffman,, of Chicago: Harrison
D. Barrett. of Boston, president of the
national association and others. The
prospectus admits what we all know.
that ''the demonstration OF life beyond
the grave has been either directly or
indirectly charged with fraud in dem
onstration, and in many cases the