Fort Pierce news. (Fort Pierce, Fla.) 190?-1920, 1908-05-01
LETTER FROM #. HARDESTY
Candidate for Superintendent of
Public instruction
O the voters Of the county:

To the voters of the county:
At the last two elections l was
candidate for membership on the
school boards of Brevard and st, Lucie
counties; on neither occasion was it
necessary for me to canvass in order to
secure an electionSs After having
served you the first two years, as
chairman in Brevard and member in
this county, the goodspeople OF my dis
trict were so we'll pleased with my SER
vice that no one would run against
me; and I am satisfied, that had 1 of
fcred for the same position agan I
would have no opponent. While hap
by in the consciousness of duty we'll
and honestly done, wish to say that
the past virdict of approval from those
whom l have served In one capacity;
should be an evidence of my fitness to
serve them in anothers which is part
of the same system of service.
While, as l have said, in the past it
was not necessary for me to canvass
the county, neither do now believe it
necessary if all the voters were left to
act unmolested by others, myself in-
cluded. But, with two dozen candi-
dates going about, many of whom are
making "line ups" to secure their own
election; it might be good policy for
me to visit every precinct; but there
are two things that prevents me.
First: do not like h harress my fell
low citizens in my own behalf; Second;
my fearful disaster OF last September
makes it impracticable. would not
be writing this open letter now, were 1T
not that your attention has been called
to certain things that l consider ILL
founded and erroneous.
First. am not making an active
personal canvass, for reasons l gave
above. was at the picnic at White
City and at this writing, except to be
at Jensen meeting and perhaps at
others. After the last meeting OF the
school board, having an opportunity to
90 with some friends as far as Vero In
launch, 1 did so, and was there few
hours.
Second. My knowledge OF school
matters in the county is thorough; and
; nv devotion to the cause of all the
children is both natural and acquired
Natural, because 1 love childhood IL
! General. and especially those OF my ma
: tive hoard, whether of native or foreign
: norentage. They are our country''
3 richest assets, as the hope OF hei
> fnture greatness. have an acquired
love for others from years OF devotion
p In them In teaching.
: Third. The eight years OF my teacn
e ;no have been, three years in BACK
woods districts and Ave in large towns
ga such enlightened environments, a
;. ohtoined at the county schools aloni
~ Tndian River, which could not pos
: sihlv be narrowing. I do not oeliev
10. NV two years teaching at Dine
!. narrowed me; and believe that pa
= irons and pupils there will say, Una
! ! lat I least my residence and teachin
+ did not narrow them
: : - Fourth. | now lack few days
! fourteen years residence at SeoasV,al
am willing that my character sna
: he nassed upon BY jury OF those wa Y.
: onnose me here. No one has yet RAJ
=. o ~ : question as 70 my cleanness OF IN
= III, ~ make this point, because cour
Eittb In all Of her most prokIs
- s,ye parts Of our whole country :.
= Tnsi tendency is, has been, and Y
: continue to be. to put practical 'eao
! ers IN these positions -, :,
J sixth. The gentlemen whom .
a o In elect on your school board. v !.
~ ~ T il Judgement and act or not L.. a..
a. ~ sNs : suggestions Of their secretary Ia
g ), TN Nave confidence in advance n IN. snO
e = who whom you viii put your S0n % rs
'o' - S.aenth. II elected, will % q
X 70 give my entire time 70 your "V'