Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-10-06

Democratic nominee for state super
of public schools, at present
of schools at Sigourney,
Iowa, has taught "a rural school for
two years, has been principal of schools
for three years, county superintendent
of schools for seven years, and is now
superintendent of public schools of
Sigourney, Iowa. He is born teach
err. 1t comes to him naturally, is con-
genial to his temperament and he has
an inspiring way with him that reaches
out to all who come in contact with
him.
In his rural school life, he showed his
adaptability for teaching by organizing
classes in farm literature and science
and filled his school house with boys
and girls who had a thirst for knowl-
edge.
He is considered, in the country
where he is known, as one of the most
remarkable teachers that the state has
ever developed. He is only 80 years
old but he has been called far and wide
as lecturer and demonstrator of the
best in school work and his reputation
in this respect grows with the passing
years.
He is practical man, while Riggs
is visionary. He reaches out for re-
suits, while Riggs is always straining
at new ideals. He beliel es that a
county superintendent ought to be a
man who can best manage the schools
of his county, instead of being a man
elected by the people to be clerk for
Riggs.
He believes that a good teacher
must have the teaching habit" and
must be enthusiastic and inspiring
when in the school room. Riggs thinks
if you can get by his menageria of
markers you are ct" He knows
nothing but what he finds on paper as
to the qualifications of the teacher,
and his certificates are discounted by
the critical public before they are re-
ceived. Riggs special school law has
done more to demoralize the school
teachers of Iowa than all other laws
put together. 1t is the Pigment of a
dreamer and the work of an impracti-
cal man. His markers are selected
from the state and the work is expen-
sive and unsatisfactory. He draws
from the schools and county school
lsuperintenGents for his markers and if
they are competent to do this work at
Des Moines they are competent to do
it at home. The Riggs law is piece
of imperialism that has no place in a
republic and there is just as much
sense in going to Des Moines to pay
in our state taxes as in sending the
work Of the Normal class down there
to be marked.
Two or three times year Riggs has
to gather a force of sixty to seventy
markers and they are busy from a
week to ten days at this work. 1t
costs lot of money and it is worse
than wasted. Riggs and all like him
should be relieved of the care and
labor of Office. He dreams by day and
has visions by night:
Cap Miller is the embodiment of
common sense and should have your
vote.
The teaching forces Of Iowa have not
been so disturbed and broken up in
forty years as they have been since
Riggs was indicted into Office. Iowa
! is losing her best teachers every day
and Hamilton county alone has lost in
the last year five of her best teachers.
Gone west, of course, where the ebb-
ing tide of emigration always goes.
And the state has lost five hundred
teachers all the best.
When you get down into their hearts
you find out the cause; tired of the
hetcheling and interference from
Des Moines.
WHAT the teachers of Iowa want is a
man in the state Office that is kind,
considerable, enthusiastic, and inspir-
ing and not an overseer with a blud-
geon. Riggs is the most impractical
man that ever held Office under the
capitol roof. Miller will prove about
the most practical official that ever
headed the organization for public
schools in Iowa. He is young man
and nothing appeals to the young
teachers of Iowa like young man just
approaching middle life, full of the
spirit and knack of teaching.
We appeal to all the teaching fra
ternity of this state to put THEN
shoulders to the wheel and help elect
Miller State Superintendent. If you
can't vote you can talk and let youl
voices be heard and the work will be
done. God speed the day. Webster
City Herald
Had Close Call.
Mrs. Ada l.. Groom, the widely known
proprietor of the Groom Hotel, Vaughn
Miss saws. tFOr several months | Suf