Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-05-14
DEMAND FOR A WOMAN
CLUB WOMEN OF IOWA THINK
CHANGE SHOULD BE MADE
AT MlTcHELLVILLE.
FITZGERALD MAY QUIT
ON RETURN FROM WEST
Present Superintendent of MitchelIviIe
Institution to Be Given Opportunity
to Make Reply to Charges Recently
Filed With Control Board-Govern-
orship Under Discussion.

Des Moines, May IA strong de-
mand is being made on the state board,
of control to have a woman appointed
as superintendent of the girls industrial
school at Mitchellville. A few days ago
it was made public that charges of
misconduct against Superintendent
Fitzgerald had been laid before the
state board of control The board mem
bers spent several days investigating
these charges and taking evidence
This was all done while Mr. Fitzger-
aid was west at the sick bed of his
son. The evidence was all taken down
and has been transcribed. John Cownie
of the state board is temporarily in
charge of the institution and is author
ity for the statement that there is
nothing in the evidence taken to sub
stantiate the charges against Mr.. F'itz-
gerald. However. it is rumored that
MIR. Fitzgerald when he returns will
tender his resignation. This is the
reason for the demand for a woman
superintendent Womens Club lead
ers are among the most active. One Of
their chief arguments is the fact that
OF all the girls industrial schools in the
country but four, including Iowa are
presided over by men. Those opposed
TO woman superintendent claim that
women can not maintain the discipline
over girls that a man can. The women
deny this Whatever may be the out
come of the controversy it will be re-
membered Mr.. Fftzgerald assumed
charge of the school at time when
there was riot and revolt among the
inmates. Discipline was a thing that
had been thrown TO the winds Since
his management discipline has accord
ing to all information in the hands Of
the board of control been good Mr..
Fitzgerald is responsible for the or
ganization and instruction of the large
girls orchestra at the school During
the recent session of the general as
sembly one member of the house after
visiting the school made the criticism
that the girls wore too short skirts.
However, he is the only person, not ex-
GLIDING Mr.. Fftzgeralds critics, who
seem TO have been shocked on this
score
When the superintendent returns the
board members will show him tram
script of the testimony against him
which they have secured and give him
al opportunity to make what exp!ana-
ton or rebuttal he desires
! That there will be a republican pri-
+ cr,,l,a 81
nation two years hence now seems
certain. The forces working toward
this end do not come because of any
party faetionalism. but largely because
4 of personal ambitions and the rapidly
rising Temperance question Prohibition
leaders have openly asserted that they
will force a primary contest within the
republican party as they want a re-
publican candidate who will stand for
prohibition. They object to Mr.. Carroll.
Just what lire they will pursue in this
respect is not known Whether they
Will put up as an opponent to Mr.
I Carroll man of his own political af-
filiations or whether they will choose
a man from more progressive ranks is
problematical. Whatever movement
they make insures contest Those
men whose names have been men
toned as possible candidates for the
republican nomination come from both
what has been known as the progress
sive" and the "standpat" wings of the
party. OF course no one has as vet
announced his intention Of being a
candidate and much of the discussion
is but political gossip that will dwindle
out in the end. However, the names of
Speaker Feely, of Waterloo; Lieuten-
ant Governor Clarke, Warren Garst
Attorney General Byers, Major Rath-
bun, of Marion, and others are being
discussed in political circles here
1t has long been talked that Attor-
ney General Byers has his eye on the
United States senatorship. He has held
his present office now two terms and
the governorship would be good filling
in from a political standpoint till the
election of senator. 1t is also said Gov
ernor Carroll has senatorial ambitions
There has also been story going the
: rounds that Speaker Feeiy will not TT.
to be nominated governor but will
seek the republican endorsement fol
. attorney general.
Some politics developed at the state
convention here of county superintend
ents. F. E. Clark, of Onawa, and o. j
McManus, of Council Bluffs, are boil
avowed candidates for the office o
state superintendent of public instruc
ton. They are both from the wester,
part of the state. 1t is said there will
be other candidates for the nomina
ton from among the county superin
tendents.
The county superintendent of low
yesterday declared war on the schot
treasurer and paved the way for a cam
paign to get rid of him by legislativ
enactment.
The easy passage of this clause j
the resolution was the sensation {
the meeting and a surprise to thos
who expected opposition from superin
tendents whose political fortunes ha
been cast with those Of the men VIII
handle the school funds in their coun
ties.
Attic there was little open discus
sion, the superintendent were free 4
declare in talking among themselve
that bankers were responsible for til
defeat of the Stillman bill abolishin