The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1909-12-15
Educational Department.
ByC.C. JuStus, Pres. Vest Ky. Seminary.
rHE COUNTY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

TIE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.
We have Just elected a man to this
officewh o, in my opinion will make
an up-to-date superintendent. TIE
man going out of this position has
given Ohio county a progressive ad-
ministration. Such men should fill
this most important trust.
The County Superintendent is the
"ne plus ultra" Of the public school
system. He stands for all that is
best in our official life. however at
a small salary in many counties. He
directly represents the best people
that our country produces-the youth.
He therefore represents the most sa-
cred interest we have in common-the
education of the youth. Educational
progress in recent years has made us
appreciate the superintendent more
and more. Only a few years ago but
a small per cent. of the scholastic pop
ulation, even, became so much inter-
ested as to know who filled the Of
flee from year to year. II by chance
they knew him, they attached little
Importance to the official and felt
that It was a position Of small mo-
ment to the public. In those days he
was not in close touch with the
schools. He examined applicants, Is
Huing certificates to almost any one
who would apply. He visited the
schools once in two years, making
about the same speech on all oecas-
mos. He heard complaints and griefs
but was powerless to alleviate their
sorrows: everywhere he stood for the
faction that would insure the great
est good to the greatest number.
BY and by the people, through the
General Assemblies, gave the super
intendent new and responsible duties.
lie must have a part in producing bet
ter teachers, better houses, graded
course OF study, and higher standards
OF every day work on the part Of the
every day work on the part of the
teacher. These conditions have made
the superintendent the most potent
force for good, of all the men at the
court house. Have you ever thought
of the manifold duties that await
this officer? In our day of progress
the new superintendent is expected
to usher in many reforms; he must
do things better than his predeces-
sor; Re must touch the dead corpse OF
General Apathy 50 he shall spring to
his feet; he must cure the inactiv-
ity of the trustees, seeing that they
employ the best teachers; visit The
schools; build modern houses and sup
ply them with apparatus. Much
has been enumerated as to his du-
ties
The superintendent cannot be meas
ured by the speech made when he
visits the school, nor by the exact
ness with which he carries out the
instructions Of the State officials; ne
cannot be justly measured by any one
or two attachments, but by the eX-
tent of his calling into action the
great mass Of citizenship in their
warfare against the hosts Of illit-
eracy. The superintendent who are
accomplishing most all over the South
are recognizing the value of the ed
ucauonal mass meeting. The large
counties are aware of this and are
having the clerical office work done
for the superintendent so that their
time may be given TO so many sec
tons Of the county demanding almost
daily attention.
see a great manufacturing plant
in operation. II has 10000 pieces of
machinery; a few foremen are di-
recting the different departments; the
foremen toll on without a superin
tendent; the great enterprise that
once commanded the admiration of
men and supplied thousands with