The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-05-23
OPPOSITION TO AsWELL.

1t has been announced from Baton
Rouge that from present indications
there will be two candidates for the Of
fee of State Superintendent of Public
Education This information will be
received with rejoicing by thousands OF
the citizens of Louisiana, especially
when Mr.. Aswell's opponent promises
to be Col. j W. Nicholson of the Louis
lana State University.
Unfortunately for Mr.. Aswell there
has been aroused against him an all
powerful, If as yet silent, opposition, ac-
CELEBRATED by his recent attitude in con-
nection with his promise III the accept
ance of the CHARACTERISTIC OF the Uni
versity Of Mississippi and his intended
resignation as State Superintendent of
Public Education, which was to have
become eeffctive at an early date.
1t is only recently that Mr.. Aswell
reconsidered his acceptance of the chan
eellorship and requested that his declina
ton be considered favorably as he had
yielded TO the PERSUASION OF his friends
and his admirers who insisted that he
must remain in Louisiana, in the dis
charge Of his obligation to the people
Although embarrassed by this unexpect
ed action, the Mississippi authorities
have relieved Mr. Aswell, who is an an
nounced candidate to. succeed himself,
on the assurance of his friends that his
salary OF $1,000 is TO be increased to
$5ooo by an amendment to the Consti-
tuition. It Is manifest that in their zeal
the friends and the admirers Of Mr.. AS
we'll failed to consider the probability Of
defeat of the projected amendaent,
even II the gentleman they champion
should be elected without opposition.
Il viii not be questioned that Mr. As
well Is an educator Of merit, but he has
been awarded undue credit to the. detri
lnent of local interests whose liberal
OF money by legal levy OF
seIf-imposed taxation have made pos
sible the erection of hundreds if moi
thousands Of school buildings through
ont the State.
While much praise is due Mr.. Aswell |
he can not escape the criticism that in
lbs Department OF Education which |
has no authority in law and is uiiauthor-
lied BY the Constitution of the State,
that UNI Democratic power has been con
fined in the hands of the few and that
through the Department of Education
may be created an all-powerful machine
which may be detrimental to the best
interests of Louisiana.
Ii would be il reflection on the people
and a discredit TO this State if it were
that Mr.. Aswell is at this
time the only educator in Louisiana pos
sessing the essentials to fill the Office of
State Superintendent of Education.
Mr. Aswell is not the only |
pebble on the educational beach in
Louisiana--there are others, and one of
hese Is Col ]. w. Nicholson, who is
he peer of the BEST. gentleman whose
ecord as an educator aud citizen will
tand the test of the closest and most
impartial scrutiny. In Colonel Nichol-
on Louisiana would have a man, tried
nd true, who would develop education
a the broadcast lines commensurate
With the spirit of progress and practical
development. There are thousands of
linens ii every parish. IN this State
rho win be delighted if given the OPP
ortuniy Of voting for Col. ]. w. Mich
Ison for the Office Of State Superin-
endent OF Public Education.