The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-09-05
An b
Big Stone Headlight.

Big Stone Headlight.
The republican county convention
will be held at Milbank a week from
Saturday, at which time all the county
officers will be chosen for the e two
years. The choice will be formally
ratified in November, but there is no
doubt but that every man who is nom
mated will be elected.
At least one Office in the county
should be above the political consider
atoms which sometimes govern the
choice of candidates. We refer to
that of county superintendent OF
schools. This officer has in charge
the dearest interests OF the citizen,
whether we consider the latter in his
domestic relations Or as a unit In
| civilized society. AS parents we are
proud to see our children we'll and
broadly educated, with minds alert,
reasoning powers we'll developed, and
with a fund of general information
which can be applied to present prob
lens. The county superintendent OF
schools selects the teachers under
whose care our children develope their
minds, or alas, fail to develop them.
AS citizens of the republic we are
charged with the responsibility of per-
petuating its ideals, and of establishing
it's fundamental principles firmly in
the minds of our youth who SO soon
are to succeed us in maintaining q
government of the people. The county
superintendent of schools selects and
advises the teachers and his influence
counts for much in the teaching OF the
history and civil government of our
country. His advice and supervision
may make many good citizens or it
may make many bad ones.
No consideration except fitness for
the place should rel become involved
in the selection of a county superin-
tendent of schools.
The state of South Dakota has for
tunateiy provided a law under which
there is little danger of an education
ally unqualified person securing the
Office. No person may be elected or
appointed to the Office who does not
hold at least q valid first grade certii-
cate secured at least one year prior,
and who has had at least t~wenty-four
months successful experience in teach
ing. But there are certain manly
qualities which are necessary to the
successful officer which cannot be dis
closed by any form of set examination
yet devised. For q sufficient guaranty
as to them we can only look at q an
didate's record as q teacher and in
quire as to his reputation and stand
ing in the community in which he
lives.
Prof. Grant Riggle, of Big Stone,
whose name will be presented before
the convention at Milbank as a candi-
date for the county SUPPLEMENTARY,
is a gentleman who has all the qualifi-
cations required by law for the posi-
ton, and in addition is in possession
of those further qualifications which
are necessary to the success of his
administration.
Mr.. Riggle is now serving his fourth
year as superintendent and principal
Of the schools of Big Stone City. He
has been reelected each year without
q dissenting vote, and always with an
increase of salary. He has been
prominent in the educational affairs
Of the county and has q wider &C.
quaintance among the teachers of the
county than any previous superin-
tendent has had upon the outset of his
administration. He is thoroughly in
touch with the official administration
of the educational machinery of the
county, and is fully acquainted with
the state laws that govern its opera
ton. Prof. Riggle is a very active,
aggressive and ambitious man, but
level-headed and not inclined to run
after every new educational theory,
merely because it is new. The educa-
tional tom-tom has no place in his
professional outfit. We believe that
he is the man to whom at this time the
educational interests of the county
should be entrusted. We shall regret
his removal from Big Stone, but will
be glad to see him secure such a po-
sition as is now warranted by his
activity and ability.
Prof. Riggle will receive the hearty
support of this part of the county.
and doubtless of the rest of it. We
know of no legally qualified opposition
to him at present.