The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-10-31
The Editors Mail Bag
To The Editor of The Forum:

To The Editor of The Forum:
AS a. resident of the state and territory for
over SO years. and as the father of children to
be educated, and as one who at all times has had
a keen interest in the educational affairs of the
state, the writer without mercenary motives begs
a few words in the valued columns Of your paper
pertaining to the state superintendency and the
candidates in the approaching election for that
office.
Fortunate, indeed, was North Dakota in hav-
ing as it's first state superintendent the Hon.
William Mitchell, who, through his far sighted
ness and executive ability placed the educational
affairs Of the state on such a firm foundation
that until within the last two years North Da-
kota ranked among the first states of the union
from an educational standpoint. The state was
further fortunate in having Mitchell's sue
cessors such eminent educators in turn as
Clapp Ogien, Disenhuth, Bates, Halland, Devine,
Stockwell and Taylor-men and women ernin-
emily fitted to carry on the noble work Of the
foundation so fortunately laid by Mitchell.
The writer feels that after the galaxy Of bril-
liant men and women who have occupied the sup
erintendent's chair heretofore the state Is indeed
more than unfortunate in having the incumbent
in that Office and that since Superintendent
Taylor left the Office January /, 1917, the educa-
tional affairs of the state have refrigerated at
least ten years and all due to the misguidance of
this incompetent person now holding the title Of
state superintendent OF public instruction"
which title, we believe, moro properly should be
state superintendent Of public destruction" 1t
further appears to the writer that if egotism
were the browning attainment of educational
ability, then the present superintendent would
rank all of his predecessors.
That what the writer says be not misconstrued
and considered as his mere opinion only without
proof let us cite you to some of Mr. Macdonald's
state papers. In the Educational News Bulle-
for September, 1917, in "An Open Letter to Rural
School Teachers" in the first paragraph of 20
lines he uses the word II" only thirteen times.
Oh, no, this is not egotism from his standpoint
but merely part Of the educational program he is
trying to instil In the rural teachers as compos-
| ing the essentials Of his Course of Study"
In pamphlet issued by Mr.. Macdonald giving
| advice to rural school directors after advising
! them to visit their schools often, he says that
| perhaps the person in charge Is one of those
| smart young misses who does not care whether
4 school keeps or not; that perhaps she will not
lust think OF it,. you farmers who are disposed
| to vote for Mr.. Macdonald on the pretense that
| he is doing so much for the rural schools. Most
of these rural school teachers your daughters.
| He tells you in other words, that you, through
| your ignorance did not properly rear your daugh-
| ter and that she grew to ignorant wonanhood,
| and as rural school teacher does not know
even enough to invite her director to take a seat
| when he officially calls.
In one state paper he informs the rural teach
| er that II have come to this task with ex-
| intendent of rural schools; later state in
|
| as a. rural teacher; Il served county super
| spector Of rural schools" (Piease note that I''
is not used here as much as possible0 This, !
| presume is still further advancing the standard
| of the rural schools
Let us next look at a few Of his examination
| questions. In Civics for the February, 1913 ex-
| amnations the first thing to meet the eye is,
| who is state superintendent OF public instruc-
tion?" Yes. reader, this no doubt, is just one
| Inaugurated by the state superintendent to give
| the rural schools the educational standing to
which they are entitled
Again in March 1917, and in May 1917, in
| civics is the question, What is the Farmers
Nonpartisan Political Lacquer" The state sup
erintendent if he is at all qualified for the posi-
ton, should know that school matters are not
party questions and still he in an examination
| set 0f questions asks questions of a political
nature and which can only engender party strife
and hatred but which questions were evidently
asked to boom" the party with which the sup
touring the state as political machine candidate
| (and incidently drawing his salary at the same
tne) when the office he is making farce Of is
! supposed to be kept out of politics. Fathers and
mothers and especially you of the rural districts
| do you want such a man directing the educational
future of your Children who by Inference
| says you do not know even enough to properly
| rear your daughter teacher so she viii have the
common courtesy to invite her director to take
a seat when he is on an official call?
The writer has known Miss Nelson, the, super
ntendents opponent for over - years ne t f 4as
] last IS years Of that time, although he has had
I occasion to follow her career and from his per
AN education which consists in doing and moi
in boasting. She has been county superinten
rnany years; has held responsible positions ir
the Iyonen's clubs Of the state and is one of the
| best known women Of the state, educatonally anc
otherwise. =,
The writer is publishing this article without the
| knowledge or consent of Miss Nelson It is no.
wholly through admiration of her that he is sup
i PORTING her but through keen apprehension foi
4 the welfare of our schools If they are allowed Il
! remain in the incumbent's hands for another TWO
Z Nc lypo that ics
ability to place the educational system Of tn
state back on the solid foundation as laid by WI
liam Mitchell 20 years ago and that she viii dc
so If elected ,,oDr,,
Williston, Get. 90