Omaha daily bee., 1914-06-24
Nebraska
THOMAS MAKES HIS FILING
Deposed Kearuey Educator to Run
for State Superintendent.
SETS FORTH HIS PLATFORM
Declares lie Is Not In Favor OF Any
Special Interest Receiving Favor
and Wants Full AccOuntiuE
OF Money Expended.
(From a staff Correspondentl J

NF rom starr CORRESPONDENT
LINCOLN, Junt 2S.-(Special. DR. A.
O. Thomas OF Kearney, former president
OF the Kearney Normal school, this after
noon filed for the republican nomination
for state superintendent with the secre-
tary Estate.
1t was DR.. Thomas denunciation OF the
Schoolmasters club, which has been a
potent factor in the school affairs of
the state which brought upon him the
ill-will OF that organization. with the
result that for years they have tried to
dispose of him, but could never find suf-
ficient cause for his removal Finally the
organization thought that il welded such
a power in Nebroaska political affairs
that 1t could put across anything and
boldly dismissed Or. Thomas as president
Of the Kearney Normal school after sew
eral years of the most successful work.
Following is the platform issued by DR..
Thomas:
Il have faith in tho purpose and in
tegrity of the teachers of the state and
believe they are making an honest effort
to reach greater efficiency In the public
service.
Il believe that merit should be the
standard for the selection and retention
of teachers.
Il am in favor of higher education and
believe that the common schools where
the great mass of our citizens secure the
elements of their education should be
brought up to the highest possible eff
ficiency
II am opposed to the domination Of our
educational system by special interests"
who seek to exploit the schools for selfish
ends and II elected it shall be my pur-
pose to bring about a new freedom and
square deal to every teacher.
II am in favor of a rational economy
in the expenditure of funds raised by the
taxpayers of tho state, also in publicity.
II believe that the 100000 or $4,000 dol
lars spent each biennium by the state
department of education should be given
full publicity, that the taxpayers Icay
know for what their money is spent.
II believe that the school laws should
be made simple and definite. so that they
will not permit of varied Interpretation.
Our schools cannot reach their highest
service so long as they are hampered by
petty, personal politics and intrigue, and
should | be elected, shall not use the
power Of the office to square personal ac-
counts"
Life Work ms Teacher.
A. o. Thomas graduated from his col
lege course in 1891 and came Immediately
to Nebraska, as principal Of schools at
Cambridge, where he remained two years.
He was superintendent Of schools at 1T.
Paul three years, Minden five years and
Kearney four years. When the state
normal at Kearney was established in
1905, he became president, which position
he filled until Novemher 1919 The 1a-
suits of his work in education are we'll
known 70 the citizens of Nebraska. He
is experienced in every grade of public
school service, having taught several
terms in rural schools, while making
his way through college, and for more
than twenty years has been thoroughly
conversant with every phase of our public
schools.
Mr.. Thomas early life was spent on a
farm in Page county, Iowa. He was
thrown on his own resources early in
life and made his way through college.
He is graduate of the scientific course
of the Western Normal college; he COM
pleted the preparatory course and also
the collegiate course in Amlty college,
located at College Springs, Ia After
earning the degree of bachelor of philo-
sophy he spent three years in working
out course leading TO the degree of
doctor of philosophy. His graduate course
cosisted of sociology as a major, with
the history of education and psychology
as minor subjects. He has held honorary
positions among them. the presidency of
noraml schools OF the National Educa,
tion association.