The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-02-27
PROGRESS
INSCHOOLS!
County Superintendent Of Schools
Reports Fine Progress in
County School Work.

In few minutes conversation with
Mrs. Ethel Goodrich Watkins, she
Informs "A representative OF Tie Re.
corder that during the past year she
has visited all the schools OF the
county, with but rwo or three excep-
tions. Recently she visited the
schools on Big Flat. Carmen creek
and Rohannan Bar. She states that
all the school are doing excellent
work, although the percentage OF
attendance has been reduced on ac-
rount OF sickness. The new text
books are In use throughout the
county and are giyins universal sat
isfaction,
/ Mrs. Watkins work has been In
creased to some extent In not having
enough local teachers to supply the
demand, but this difficulty has been
overcome by the use OF the long dis
tance telephone. She secured two
teachers from pocatello--W. j.
Roach, who is teaching the SaniIeld
school aud Mrs. Clara IIoueh is
teaching the Eidridge school on Nor
tblorS. W. r. McCracken, OF Car.
men, recently began term on
Fourth OF July creek. The only
school In the county not supplied
with teacher Is at Gilmore, but
the patrons OF that school dc not
care 10 have their school commence
until later as ~ Is anticipated that
the attendance will be much larger
when the Gilmore mines start up.
Our county superintendent Is u
practical school woman, especially
educated for the work by course OF
training at one of the leading colleges
OF Illinois, and has had the practical
work in the public school as well as
she was elected TO her present posi-.
tion she had taught several successful
terms In our city schools, and was
net only successful. but was highly
commended by both the patrons aud
the school board,
AS to whether Mrs. Watkins cun.
templates again being candidate
The Recorder Is not IN position TO
state, but this paper can not think
OF a person In the county who would
make more capable county superin-
tendent, aud who would make a
greater effort % bring the schools up
TO the highest plane of efficiency. So
far as we can learn the dil.eEent
school boards OF the county have not
only ably seconded her efforts in
school work, but have in every way
, seconded her efforts 10 accomplish
the most possible In their districts
The Recorder believes that 1t Is
, to the best interests OF the schools
OF any county to retain In charge OF
the educational work the educator as
county superintendent who has dem-
onstrated their ability as leader
along these lines. That Mrs. Wat
kins has been highly successful since
she was elected TO this important po.
D Slti0n IL 1ncUnifDNeTiiDtts
For years tile writer has contended
: that In school work politics should
be eliminated, and consider the eiIici-
ency OF candidate in preference to
what their opinions might be in rela-
J ti1n TO natioual questions. The
best way to retard educational work,
whether II be In the election Of coun-
Is superIDtendeuts or directors OF
the district, Is 20 inject politics.
There is 10 reason why The Recorder
should advocate the election OF Mrs.
) Watkins again, should she conclude
to become candidate, only that she
has performed the duty for which she
was elected.
: As one democrat In this county the
! writer believes that IL would be for
the btst interests OF the schools OF
= the county II no other candidate VAS
placed In nomination, Ia case Mrs.
: Watkins should be the nominee OF
: her party. The Recorder does not
: pretend nor does IL wish 10 be under
! stood, 10 say that there Is not just
, a. good material for superintendent
} OF schools In the democratic party as
Mrs Watkins has proven herself to
be- IL has been found that even In
this ofllce some bitterness IS engen-
d ,red which should not exist In cur
, schools, when politics are injected
into a campaign. The success of our
schools are Of paramount importance
, 70 any nnlIfical constellation.