The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1913-02-20

ranging from the district school to the
state superinteDdency possesses ju-
dicial temperament, has a character
unimpeachable, is especially familiar
with and interested in the country
school problem and industrial educa-
tion the two crying educational needs
of the hour.
What possible claim Mr.. Kittle can
have to this high Office at the hands of
the people of the state is difficult for
many Wisconsin educators to under
stand, though seemingly comprehen-
sible to some politicians. The highest
professional position he has ever held
was the headship of the Oconomowoc
schools, one of the smaller Wisconsin
towns, having in 1905, when Mr.. Kit
tie left that place, population of only
3,0l3 and high school with an enroll
ment Of l45 and an average daily at
tendance of l25. Since 1905 he has
been and now is state employe, serv-
ing the normal board of regents in the
clerical capacity of secre tary.
The records of the Wisconsin Teach
ers' association do not show that his
fellow teachers ever recognized him as
an educational leader by honoring him
with any high office, nor do the pro-
grams of that body give any promin-
ence to his name as an active partici-
pant in its deliberations. The last re-
port of the National Educational asso-
citation does not record him rs ever
having had AZ active membership In
that great educational organization.
The urgent educational problem of
the day is how to make the country
school more efficient. Mr.. Kittle's con-
nection with this phase of education |
seems entirely wanting Since coming |
10 Wisconsin in 1894, it is not discover |
able that he ever did a days institute
work, nor has he been afforded any OPP !
portunity to come in touch with the |
rural school problem. 1t is noticeable |
that in his published list of indorse- |
ments only four of Wisconsin's seventy |
two county county uperintendents Of
schools and only one of the seven coun-
ty agricultural school principals signed
his "call," not one of the eight normal
school presidents is mentioned, and not
a single member of the faculties of the
twenty-seven county normals attached f!
his or her name thereto. And these
arc the men and women chiefly con-
cerned in the advance .nent of the rural |
schools OF this state
Only from the standpoint OF the poll
tician does Mr.. kittle appear to be a
favorable candidate. Many of them
seem to be promoting his interests
with spirit OF earnestness and enthus-
iasm which would be truly commend
able in u political campaig, but entire
ly out OF place in nonpartsan educa- |
tional contest for the Office of state SUI
perintendent of public instruction.
A further analysis of Mr.. kitte's
published 'call" shows that of the $50
names mentioned only sixty-three are
actively connected with the profession
of teaching, and twenty-one OF these six
ty-three occupy subordinate positions
in the normal school system with
which he has semi-oflicial connection
leaving only forty-two public school
people on the list. Out of the seventy
two city superintendents, ten have
signed his ''call," and only twenty
three out of the $50 high school prin-
cipals of the state are named as his
supporters.
Is it possible that this is "a state
wide movement for change in the
Office Of state superintendent
The whole contest then, between
Cary and Kittle SINNERS down to the
question of professional rank. The
lawyers demand for the supreme bench
one who has proven his ability in actu-
al practice and risen to prominence in
the legal profession. Should not the
educators of Wisconsin demand
schoolmastcr for state superintendent
whose record as an educator places him