Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-22
MJsREPRESENrIN GOVERNOR M1CkE

MlSRHPRESEN I GOVERNOR MIC6EH.
Misled by garbled reports of one of
his addresses in which the governor
expressed himself with reference to the
public schools, a number of eastern
papers have been i~ndulging in caustic
criticism of Governor Mickey entirely
unwarranted by the facts. One Mime
apolis paper, for example, goes so far
as to proclaim that the governor of Ne
braska is opposed to non-sectarian
schools and to the whole public school
system as now constituted, and that he
has announced his opposition to any
additional appropriations for the com
nor schools on that account, and it
proceeds to express in forcible Ian
guage the opinion it holds Of such an
executive.
Governor Mickey's views on the sub
ject Of education are known to he
quite the opposite. His friendship for
the public schools is clearly attested in
the reference made to educational in
situations in his inaugural message,
which reads as follows:
The people of Nebraska are Justly proud
OF their educational Institutions. The
foundations of these interests have been
laid broad and deep and may be properly
regarded as the cornerstones OF that de-
gree of eminence and distinction which
the state now enjoys. No other part OF
our country is blessed with so small a per
cent of illiteracy or has so much to show,
in proportion to population, in the way Of
good school buildings, fine equipments and
specially fitted instructors. At the head
Of these interests stands the state univer-
sity with its numerous departments, closely
seconded by the State normal. The insti-
tutions have done, and are doing, for the
state a work greater than can be estimated,
the influence Of which will be felt through
out all time. These interests should re-
ceive the careful attention of your body
and such appropriations should be made
as will insure the continuance OF their
beneicent work on a scale commensurate
with the states development.
SO far as concerns the address in
question, which has given rise to the
criticisms referred to, our best informa-
ton is that 1t In no point deviated
from this declaration. The governor
was speaking extemporaneously to the
State Convention of Associated Chair
ties and laid stress on the fact that
many were now recipients of charity
who would not have become burdens
on society had their early training re
ceived the careful attention which II
should. In this connection he spoke OF
education in general and referred tC
both UNCONVENTIONAL and public institu
tons. While he personally preferred t.
have his children educated in sectarian
schools while pursuing their higher
studies because he thought the restrain
and religious influence thrown abou'
them were helpful, al the same time h,
said he had the fullest appreciation O.
the efficiency Of the public school sys
tenn and believed 1t accomplished 4,
work of a broader and more universal
character than the denominations
schools, adding, further. that he be
lieved all teachers in public or privat,
schools should be men and women O
high moral and religious character. Il
order to set an example for the you'll
placed in their charge and to stimulat
t them to high ideals.
1t is certainly unjust to Governo
Mickey that he should be charged wit
saying something at variance with hi
views and only fair to those who hav
4 criticised him ignorantly that the
5 should know his real position wit
reference to educational institutions.