The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-09-26
For Superintendent of Education.

An Office Of Importance, really rank
ing that of the governorship itself, is
the superintendency of education. 1t
has to deal with matters that lie at the
foundation of government by the peo-
pie; it administers affairs involving a
larger expenditure of public money
than any other department of the State
government. The requirements of the
office are liberal education, practical
experience in the business of teaching,
beginning with the common schools,
capacity to instruct teachers in the
best ways and means of public instruc-
ton, ability to interest the people act
lively in the vital subject of public edu-
cation, administrative ability of high
order, tact, patience, discretion, discern
ment, and abundant physical health
and strength.
For eight years the varied affairs of
this Office have been very efficiently
administered by Mason S. Stone. Mr..
Stone long ago indicated his determip
alton not again to be candidate for
d reelection. Such had been his pur-
pose two years ago, and a letter was
sent to the WATCHMAN for publication,
declining to enter the canvass for an
other term. Regarding the cause of
public education of greater impor.an
than Mr.. Stones personal plans or
convenience, publication of this letter
was withheld, and Mr.. Stone subse-
quently yielded to the Importantly of
individuals connected with educational
affairs in one way or another, and to
the solicitations of many other people,
to remain candidate in the belief th at
his occupation of the Office of superin-
tendent for another term for the per-
fecting of certain useful measures in
stituted by him, was imperatively re-
CURED. Mr.. Stone was accordingly
again a candidate, with the stipulation
on his part that he should be left free
at the termination, of another period of
service to carry out his own cherished
plans for the future.
Walter E. Ranger, principal of the
johnson Normal School, has been held
by those who know him we'll as a man
qualified in peculiar manner TO sue
coed Mr.. Stone. Mr.. Rangers name
has been most frequently mentioned in
connection with the succession. He
had before been often suggested for
superintendent, but had positively de-
clined to enter the lists against Mr..
Stone. The mention OF Mr.. Rangers
name in connection with the office in
question is fully justified by his quail.
tcations. From his boyhood he has
been associated with educational work,
in study, teaching or other labors in
the service of the schools.
For seventeen years, from 1883 to
1900, Mr.. Ranger has been actively en-
gagged in educational work in Vermont.
He was for thirteen years principal of
Lyndon Institute, and his quality as an
instructor and an administrator is
shown by the fact that during this per-
iod the Institute increased from SO
students and four teachers to 240 stu
dents and 10 teachers. Its graduates
have gone to dozen different colleges,
including Yale, Dartmouth and others
of eminence, and at all they have won
high honors. He has prepared hun
dreds of Vermont youth for business,
and scores for the work of school
teachers. Mr.. Rangers remarkable
success in Lyndon Institute marked
him for the principalship of Johnson
Normal School when that institution
was overhauled and recognized.
There, for four years, he has been sue
cessfully preparing teachers for ele-
mentary schools, work involving a