The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1910-08-19
A TEACHERS OPINION
Explains Why Miss Chamberlain
Should Be Elected State Supt.
of Schools

| No state Office requires a create
combination of desirable qualitie
than that of the superintendent q
public neutrality-suspicious. with tn
necessary inconvenience of rapid
growing state, tact in welding to
gether the complex elements of tn
educational system which is beiM
built up by people from every state
clearness of vision to be able to fore
see future conditions; goo.l judgmen
to plan to meet those conditions: abil
ity to express thoughts clearly; t,
impress schools, to point out the soiu
ton of school problems; to unite til,
school forces and marshall them effec
lively in the constant war on ignor
ance. All of these Idaho has righr
to demand Of her superintendent, but
in addition she has laid upon thai
officer as a member ex-officio of the
land board the need of business abil.
ity and sound financial judgment re.
quired by no one not an officer of a
great corporation.
Despite the combination of rare
qualifications demanded Idaho has
been blessed for the past four years
by having a state superintendent who
possesses to a remarkable degree all
the qualifications desired. Only one
closely connected with the schools of
the State can realize the great things
accomplished for education during
her term of office. Practically every
bit of necessary school legislation has
been secured and only those who have
been close to the legislature realize
how we'll the State superintendent has
guided the campaign for that legisla-
ton. Uniform state text books, COM
pulsory attendance, rural high schools
better certification of teachers, coun-
ty tustees' meetings; these are but
rev OF the improvements made. To
complete this work, the last legisla-
ture provided for commission to re-
wise the school law, do away with con-
f1icting provisions, and arrange the
laws in the best possible form. OIL
this commission the state superinten-
dent is chairman and the work of the
commission has proceeded steadily
Under her wise direction, and by the
line the legislature meets it will be
'eady to report an Arrangement of |
he school laws which will put Idaho.
n that respect, on par with any
tate in the union. Last but not least
he superintendent has gradually Sc
'ured the cooperation of the leading
chool men in the state as but few
have been able to do.
esulting in their working together
n manner seldom seen in any state
he remarkable series of trustees
MEETINGS held last winter and spring
'as the elimination of this feature
the present administration. In
pite OF this splendid record some
eople are asking that the present
lcumbent be dismissed by her en-
people of the great
of Idaho, ostensibly|
ecause she has held the Office for
vo terms. The very fact that Miss
hamberlain has served two terms
axes her more competent to fill the
'sition and assures the State of Ida
greater progress in the educational
ork. Business men do not dismiss
employe because he has been in
elr employment for many years and n
low the business thoroughly. They a
e every means to retain him. Why n
ould the citizens of Idaho throw
siness principles to the winds, dis q
lss an employe who possesses the p
cessary knowledge and all the de-
ed qualifications for the sake of 8,
wing an experiment, a candidate
10 may or may not possess the quail q,
cations which the present incum- f.
Mt is known to possess and who in
'ta1nly does not have the knowledge n
school conditions possessed by the IF
'sent superintendent nor can get
I'm for years to come. AS a plain bt
siness proposition the reelection RI
Miss S. Belle Chamberlain is a nj
ng greatly to be desired by every w
really interested in the schools of ga
no and it is hard to believe that in
voters of Idaho will obey the be-
It's of politicians in this respect 90
ticularly when it concerns an office I'll
Ich should be taken out of politics to,
soon as possible and placed upon Of
same basis as the superintendency
large city systems where faithful FIJI
ice and the possession of great ,ns
Wedge and skill is rewarded by ab,
MS OF office limited only by the NJ
\ rs Il T.