Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-03-19
A DUTY To EDUCATION
And To WOMANHOOD
SHALL ESTABLISHED PRECRD-
ENTS BE OBSERVED?
Important Matter Women and Men of
The County Are Called Upon to
Determine on April First

The most important matter the
fathers and mothers, the young peo-
pie and teachers of the county are
called upon to settle every two years
is, who shall look after and superin-
tend their educational affairs, because
on the correct and liberal education
and training of the youth of the land
rests the safety and happiness Of the
republic. Our state and our county
have long cherished the thought that
we are in the vanguard of popular and
universal progress educationally-
from the humblest rural school to the
normal and our great university. We
all rejoice that our commonwealth
enjoys this proud distinction among
the sisterhood of states. Vernon
county comes in for a liberal share of
this distinction, largely because she
has had the wisdom to retain season
ed and practical persons at the helm
of her school system. For nearly a
half century but four persons acted
in the capacity of county superintend-
ent of Scholastic late lamented Will
liam Haughton, Judge Mahoney, How
ard c. Miller and Henry l.. Gardner.
Judge Mahoney served twelve or four
teen years, Mr. Gardner seventeen
years, Mr. Miller six years, all retir-
ing voluntarily.
We must, in a large measure, credit
this progress we have attained. edu-
cationally TO the fact that we have not.
too frequently, shifted standard bear
ers in the great work, but have re-
tanned and encouraged the best eff
forts of these sorely tried servants,
our county superintendent
And this brings us to the thought
that SO far as the Censor is advised
the present head of our educational
system has attempted to carry for
ward the beneficient standards estab-
lished by her predecessors and to push
forward and advance these standards
in the light of progress and enlight-
eminent. That it is her intent and
purpose to render the very best ser
vice within her recognized power and
training, seems to be conceded. Miss
Neprud has labored industriously and
given her entire time to the work dur
ing the few months she has occupied
the position. Her predecessors were
given long years to develop their plans
and purposes, and thus reached their
goal and public demand. We have
heard no complaint of inefficiency in
Miss Neprud's administration; then
why attempt a movement TO cut short
her usefulness and deprive her of the
customary merited retention in the
position? 1t is always true that those
with important official re-
sponsibility who depart from estab-
lished ruts, and advance good causes,
meet with opposition. Miss Neprud's
met these conditions, and
time proved their judgment was war
ranted.
The day has arrived when we as
people recognize and acknowledge the
farreaching influence, of woman; and
is this the case in education
al development. A very large per
cent of the county school superintend-
ents of the state are women, and they
are given credit for being tigilent
and effective. In our own Vernon
of the city of Viroqua, tell of the
great and earnest part our young wo-
men have in school work OF THE
213 TEACHERS IN RURAL, STATE
GRADED AND HIGH SCHOOLS, POP
ARE WOMEN. OF the students who
graduate from the schools, fully two
thirds are girls. OF the children in
the county of school age decided per
cent are females. With these facts
before us the Censor desires t. ask
interested citizens, the fathers and
mothers of Vernon county, "Is there
single substantial reason why a wo-
.ngn who has acknowledged ability
and proven efficiency, and who has
well performed her duties should be
Disseminated against and denied the
justice of re-electon--a justice al
ways recognized in the past by our
citizenship?
The Censor's only interest in this
important matter is for the best for
ward advance--true practical educa-
tion of the boys and girls of Vernon
county. Beyond this, the element of
fair play should have the thoughtful
consideration of every fair minded
person.
The present encumbent of the coun-
ty superintendent Office is a native of
the staunch old town of Coon, where
she found the rudiments of an educa-
ton in the district school, graduated
from Lacrosse high school, the State
Normal, then the University-accom
plished through her own heroic eff
forts. Following these accomplish
nfents, she taught till elected to the
superintendent less than two years
since. TheNeprud families were among
the earliest pioneers who came from
Norway and located on Coon Prairie
and in Coon. From the primitive
days they have been among Vernon
county's staunchest citizens.