Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10
OFFICIAL PAPER OF FERGUS COUNTY.
LEwIsTowN, MONT, April 10, 1901
NEW PILOTS At THE HELM.

In school district No. / and called at
tention TO the looseness, il not the dis
honesty, in the management in the con
duct of affairs, it was with little hope
that such a unanimous response would
follow rs saturdays election proved.
In years gone by the ARGUS has sought
to direct attention to these very same
abuses. but when election day came
either no concerted fight was made for
a change in management or the candi-
dates named went down to defeat. The
management Of school affairs for two
years past has been little worse than in
some years previous, so it was while
ARGUS exposed the unlawful practices
as a duty it owed to the people Of this
district, little confidence vas felt that
a reversal Of former results would be
the immediate outcome.
But those articles seemed TO have
finally opened the eyes of the great ma
jority of the citizens; good people APP
plauded their candor, further investiga-
ton strengthened the statements made.
49, Ill. .z,.;.,,;,,, a. sprap. for
ward to lead the host at the polls, sup
port came from every side. the old en-
envy was stricken with terror and dared
not brook the onslaught. A victory
such as has never before been achieved
in this school district was reaped and l..
W. Eldridge and John ID. Waite were
chosen trustees by a majority of more
than two to one over their opponents.
To Mr.. Waite especially great credit
is due. While Mr.. Eldridge and many
Others earnestly strove for the success
Of that ticket, Mr.. Waite organized the
forces, directed the campaign aud with
mastery skill drove the well intrcnch-
cd opposition to iguomiuous defeat.
The part the AGGrs played was in
sounding the call to battle, the part of
Messrs. Waite and Eldridge was to lead;
the people themselves made the victory
possible.
While the membership Of the board IS
five and three are necessary 10 control,
it is but reasonable to believe that at
least one, and possibly all of the hold
over membcrs-MeSsrs Cort. Mcllugh
and Moshner-will act with the new
members in completely recognizing
the board, putting new life into the
school and cndeavoring 10 so admins
ter the business of the district that not
in many years will another such upris-
ing and such condemnation as that of
last Saturday be necessary.
A change should at once he made in
the clerk of the board, n rigid eXamina.
ton into the financial matters of years
past should be undertaken and if pres
ent or ex-members are culpable their
prosecution by the proper authorities
should be swift and certain, that full
restitution to the district may be made.
An expert examination Of books and
accounts might prove necessary and, il
so, il should be thorough.
The practice of membersof the board
being interested in contracts. or in any
way deriving profit from their pCsi
tons. should be abolished, so that al
may go before the people with clear
hands.
Many parents have been dissatisie,
with the progress Of their children an,
an impartial investigation Of the rea
sons for this should be prosecuted. :,
that when new teachers are engage,
improvement may result. Fossils shoul,
be cast ont and instructors with up-to
date methods engaged, the corps o
teachers should be compelled to Wort
in harmony and If further complaint re
suits the trustees should not hesitate 4
make changes where deemed desirable
The schools Of Lewistown have cost
great outlay of money, but, if properl.
conducted, they are worth all that ha
been spent and much more. They AT
tract settlement. and the teachers ar
responsible for the generation whieI
will soon be called upon TO control al
fairs Of state. Favoritism and spit
should be UNDECIDED.
Ii has been stated that politics enter
ed into the election, but we do not be
lieye this is correct. II is true that bot
Messrs. Waite and Eldridge are Repub
licans: it is true that both Messrs. Sla
ter and Jackson are Democrats. Bu