Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1914-10-28
A word for Arthur =. nelson.

n "VGV 4OG ~ k4AOG &As ANOAoVAAs
New London. Minn., Rt l, Oct. AZ. 1914.
Editor Willmar Tribune:
Having read the articles Of A. j.
Smithson and c. j. Hanson in last weeks
issue of the Republican Gazette, I wish
to take part in the discussion regarding
our schools.
In the first place they say that Mr..
Frederickson opposes the centralizing. of
our rural school system. Mr.. Nelson has
also through your paper told US that
he Is NOT in favor Of abolishing the To-
cal school boards. and taking financial
| power from them. He has declared
| himself in favor Of the appointment of
| county superintendent Of schools, q
| measure which meets the endorsement
Of most thinking people. II city
school board can select superintendent,
| why cannot county superintendent be
selected in q similar way; why should it
| oe necessary for a candidate for any
l. school position to expend considerable
money and time covering a large ter
| ritorial area and begging a job from
hundreds Of people? The best trained
| in obtaining an education. Such men
We OuSl1t W uANS a. COuuly SupCI A1IC1
| tents. At present such men are seldom
| willing to try for the county superin-
| :endency because it is so costly an un-
| lertaking. If these men could appear
! before a board without the waste of
| much time or money, we would have
more of these men trying for the posi-
| ton. 1t Is this part Of the proposal
that Mr.. Nelson favors, and only this
part; and I respect him for having an
opinion.
We wonder, in the present case, If
| Mr.. Frederickson's disfavor with the
proposal of the Educational Commits
sion is not due to his acquaintance with
public opinion.
| The proposal Of the commission must
be drawn up in the form of bill and be
passed as a law before our rural school
system is changed. 1t is not to be acted
upon by the county superint endents but
by the legislators who represent the
people.
| Both Mr. Nelson and Mr.. Frederick
son are opposed to the measure in its
present form. If it comes before the
legislature am convinced that Mr.. Mel.
son can, and will do much to prevent
it's passage, for he can make a convinc.
ing speech. The voters in the present
election should not be misled by persons
not acquainted with Prof. Nelson, who
are trying to lead the voters to think
that Mr.. Nelson is opposing our schools
The newspaper items Of the last week
are undoubtedly intended to give that
| impression. Do not place any credit in
such political roarbacks. Think Of the
real issue, fitness for the position.
! Mr.. Nelson as principal Of the New
London school filled the position for sew
en- years with much satisfaction to the
great majority of the people. Certainly
/ If he lacked firmness in his conviction
and stability Of character he could not
have succeeded as he has. One Of the
state superintendent has written con-
corning him, II consider him one of the
ablest young superintendent we have
in the state. He Is man so absolutely
honest and square in all his matters and
his dealings that he is one of the few
| men whose motives I would never ques-
! ton under any condition. He is very
able administrator and strong leader"
| During the past three years he has
voluntarily spent much time and energy
| in working with farmers clubs. He
is chiefly responsible for these clubs be-
ing started in the northern part Of the
county and the club members respect
him and appreciate his efforts. Give
Mr.. Nelson a square deal.
| Respectfully yours,
| HANS H. BR1X.