Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-05-15
why. MAJORITY
FAV0RS Change


election of Superintendent Donnely:
In justice to the qualified voters
OF Independent School District No.
/, We the undersigned members of
the board OF education of the city
OF Lewiston, who voted for the elec-
ton of c. A. Donnely of Denver.
Colo, for superintendent for the en-
suing year, to succeed the present
incumbent, r. N. Wright, desire to
make the following statement:
We believe that it will be for the
best interests of the patrons where
even respectable minority are OPP
posed to a superintendent that he
should peaceably give way to a sue
cessor who would bridge over the
objections held by such minority,
and thus harmonic the people of
the district.
There has been controversy in
the district for the past three years,
which has been carried into the
elections and the issue has been over
the election of superintendent, un-
til bitter feeling has been engen-
dered by the adherents for Prof.
Wright and those against him, until
it has assumed such magnitude that
for the good of the district the ma
jority of the board believe that
issue arose in Boise as now exists in
Lewiston, and the superintendent of
that city had numerous supporters
and was considered one of the best
superintendent in the Northwest,
but when a division arose the trus-
tees of that city, looking to the best
interests of the schools, very wisely
decided to retire the superintendent,
and no on in the city now questions
the wisdom of the change.
I'VE further believe that man
possessing the qualifications of SUI
perintendent Donnely OF Denver,
coming fresh to the schools of Lew
iston, equipped as he is in educa-
t,onal matters, being graduate OF
the Platvil'e Normal school, Plat
Vile, Wis, and also having held the
position of assistant superintendent
of said state, where he had direct
charge of all the normal schools of
the state and of the methods of in
struction in the same, and with
long and successful experience in
various public schools, that these
qualifications should commend him
\ to the citizens of Lewiston who have
the interest and well-being of the
. schools at heart.
"Tfme has demonstrated that
4 where one man has ben continued in
power for nine or 10 years that 1t
invariably results in the building of
a political machine for the benefit
of himself and his friends. And for
this reason a change Is desired In
Lewiston. the same as was made in
| ! Boise.
THE question as to the legality
of the election of superintendent
in the month of April was raised one
year ago, at which time Superin-
tendent Wright personally appeared
before the board and insisted upon
an election at that time, and stated
that it would be too late to employ
a superintendent in July, as all good
positions would be taken by that
time and good men employed. The
minority of the board, at that time,
for the good of the schools, did not
j, see fit to raise any controversy or
{ precipitate contest in the courts as
to the legality of the proceeding. AS
shown by the clerks records, SUI
perintendent has been elected In the
month of April or May for 10 years
except in two instances, and II the
election of the majority Of the board
is illegal at this time, Prof. Wright
has been illegally elected at least
seven times since he has been super
intendent of the district.
"The majority Of the board there
fore feel that their action should be
ratified by the voters at the polls,
: and feel that there can be no ques-
ton as to the legality of its action
and have freely and voluntarily con-
tracted with Superintendent Don
nelly for one year commencing June
1, 1908. and ending June 1. 1909.
"The board respectfully urges
every person interested in the well
fare of the schools to be present on
] election day and cast his or her bal
lot in support of the action of the
board and as confirmation of the
proceedings had and done, believing
: that any other action will create
schism and cause disruption in the
district that time cannot eradicate.
We regret exceedingly that the con-
l troversy has arisen.
w. c. BROOKS.
P. E. sTOOKEY.