The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-11-23
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.

State Superintendent SiocEwel1 in e
recent address before the Southeast
ern Ednca1iona! association of the
state in session at Valley City de-
clarei that il was necessary. 70. the
ultimate success OF the schools of the
state TO lake the election Of county
superintendent out OF politics and re-
sort 70 system Of appointment, Q.
falling that to have an election in June
at which these officials would be
elected. The speech seems to nave
struck something OF :. popular choro
as the comments on it have been num-
erous, and all agree with the propos-
ition laid down by the state superin-
tendent
The ST Thomas Times in discuss
ing the needs OF this reform says edi-
torially:
Our common schools are the basis
of our citizenship. They are entitled
to the supervision OF trained expert
who is not only endowed with acad-
emic knowledge, but who has wide and
varied experience as an educator. To
turn over our school system to i'm
mature boys and girls Is a serious
mistake"
But with all the discussion there
yet remains darkness upon some of
the features Of the plans proposed by
MIR. Stockwell. AS 10 the proposition
of holding different election for tina,
Official than for the others in the state
and counties, the plan suggested will
not remove the election from politics.
so long as there are parties and party
factions. voters will divide on the line
which divide there factions and part
les II the election were held in June
there would naturally be either a par
ty convention for the nomination OF
rar:idates o. :hey would be selected
)! i primary election. Political nom
1 aticns do not bur! the qualifications
OF can1idates nor does i: injure the
efficiency Of the schoo! system, Il the
right sort Of men are selected. The
BEST example Of This il the able state
superintendent, OF instruction himself.
As TO the plan Of appointing the
county superintendent, by the members
OF the district boards, there can be
but one objection. It is destroying
the right Of the voters 10 selec, their
officers. In this age Of reform there
is tendency to place more political
power in the hands OF the people than
they have heretofore had. This is re-
moving power from them. II is giving
the selection Of officials 100 much into
the hands Of representatives, rather
than making them tine products OF the
people
IT must be conceded tina. the sus-
gestions Of the St. Thomas Times as
to the qualifications required Of these
officials are well founded. But the
remedy must be made in the selection
of individuals in some way tina, VIII.
make them directly responsible % the
tax payers Of the county.
The Evening Times favors a con-
prehensive examination OF all p.ogpec-
tive candidates for this poaition 70 be
conducted BY the state superinten-
dent at least two years prior ~ the
time they can be nominated for the
position OF county superintendent, ;w
tue NT'e!.. This examination should
include not only thorough and com
prehensive knowledge of the branches
taught in the rural schools, but school
architecture, executive ability, yentil-
atnn, heating, and u number Of ether
subjects which come within the work
OF the county superintcnden,s Office.
From the list certified As cornpe-
tent To fill the Office by the state sup
erintendent the electors Of the gever-
al counties would be able to select the
one which suited them best and there
by solve the difficulty Of having in
competent material forced upon them.