Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-01-19
E. B. B.THAYER, Editor and Frop-voL. xxxvlx
UNFalR CRITICISM SAYS T. C,
RYAN.
To THE WAusAr PILor.

I
Everybody knows that a county
superintendent of schools who con.
| scientiously tries to perform his duties
rs bound to make some enemies there.
by. He can not do his whole duty
without stepping upon someone's corns.
Hence we expect to hear criticisms OF
his conduct pronounced upon the streets
by those whom he has wounded, or
their friends. But we do not eapect this
from the public press. Hence | was
quite startled by the head lines of an
editorial in the last issue of the Wansau
Herald accusing Superintendent La
mont with making sensational
charges" and "a cheap bid for motor
iety" Not knowing what it was about,
and being interested, as other citizens
are, in so serious a charge by the editor
of a city paper, whom | have often
admired for his independence and
frankness, / read the article carefully.
The article Incorporated copious
extract from report recently made by
Mr.. Lamont to our county board, and
made some comments thereon, as well
as on some statements that Mr.. Lamont
is credited with havingz made in his
address to the State Teachers associa-
tion at Milwaukee.
Certain Irregularities in the financial
management of school districts in this
county are charged il the report of the
county superintendent, and some gen
eral statements made to the effect that
a good deal of school money-approx-
imately $1,000 out of 500, 900 is lost each
year through dishonesty.
Commenting, the Herald says:
Few people, indeed, will believe that
conditions are as black as Supt Lamont
paints them, and even those few must
hold the superintendent equally guilty
with the district school officers he ac-
cuses. 1t is the superintendent's duty
to look after and safeguard the interests
Of the schools under his charge, and to
see that the district officers do nothing
to injure them"
The fact is, it seems to me, that in
stead of few people" the great major
ity of people will think it impossible
that any county superintendent would
rake charges of this sort without hav-
the very best of reasons therefor.
and anyone doubling would, very
likely, be cautious enough to examine
the proofs which the county superin-
tendent has before taking the risk of
denouncing him, as the Herald has
done
The Herald further, to strengthen its
assertion that the county superlnten-
dent is himself to blame for the evils
mentioned in his report says;
The school laws provide that the
county superintendent must visit and
examine each district and all the schools
in his district at least once in each year
and as much oftener as may be necessa-
ry to inquire into all matters relating to
the management, ETC., and to advise
with aud counsel the district boards in
to their duties," etc. Ii Supt
Lamont did this he would know the
conditions and would have provided
remedy. If he did not do this, when he
was paid to do it, how can he find fault
with the district officer who took money
he did not earn?n
But the fact is that the law quoted
from the Herald does not impose any
such duty upon the county superinten-
dent. His business is with the schools
True, it is made his duty Ito advise
with and counsel the district boards in
to their duties but when is he
to do that? Is he to go about the
county and attend meetings of the dis
trict boards and volunteer advice The
law does not require that. He is to
give advice when the board asks for it.
He is not supposed to know when there
are such meetings, nor is he supposed
to be an omnipresent officer-able to
be in several places at once. And
t,drice is not always sufficient remedy
for wrong doing
And if infractions of the law, or dis
honesty in the management of the fiscal
affairs of school districts come to his
knowledge, his duty is to report the
same to the county board, just as Mr..
Lamont has done 1t is no more his
duty TO enter a criminal complaint than
it is the duty of any other citizen. The
county board can order an investiga-
ton by the district attorney
The fact is that if our county super
intendent did the things which the
Herald says he should do in such cases,
he would have to neglect the duties he
is elected to pencrm, Tiz the supervi-
sion of the schools