Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-11-22
THE PUBLIC WELFARE KNOWS NO SEX.

The public generally, but more especially the
women, should be on guard not to allow themselves
to be victimzed by adroit appeal to sentiment
which Is being inaugurated in behalf Of Mrs Ruth
c. Miller assistant to the state superintendent OF
nubc instruction in charge of vocational work.
The fact that the person in charge OF TINS work
chances to be a woman should not enter into the
matter at all. Nor should the fact that there have
been deplorable misfortunes in Mrs Miller's pri-
yate life be factor in attempting to determine her
fitness for her present position The department
Is in no sense charitable institution although due
consideration to the feelings of everyone should be
shown
II the ultimate facts show that Jonathan II.
Wagner has been guilty of waste, extravaganza or
gross negligence in handling the taxpayers money,
the Journal will insist that he carry out his an
nounced determination to resign as president OF the
Normal should that prove to be the case II ne
has shown himself incompetent as state superln-
tendent TO properly safeguard public funds, he
should not be continued where he can expend furh-
err public monies Whether or not such is the case
will become fully known in a short time II Mr.
Wagner can clear his skirts, the Journal will say
he has done so.
So. also, If Mrs Miller can show that she did not
grossly waste the taxpayers money, we will tell the
public that such is the fact
But the truth is that Mrs. Miller was not asked
bv the state board of education to resign merely
though she asked for time in which to make re-
butal on that
The simple truth is that large and growing
element of people has for long time that MIS-
Miller is a wasteful manager. The demand for her
removal has been growing for the past year or more
Probably even this fact did not move the stare
board to act.
On the dav on which the demand for Mrs NIL
LAYS resignation occurred she had appeared before
+ba state hoard to settle questions concerning the
finances of her department The newspaper men
were present and heard all that occurred Mrs MIL
Ter was demanding that Mr.. Conway sign ms APP
proyal for the payment of some siOVo "hlch MS
bookkeeper told him was not in hand MI JONI
Joerns. school auditor was called in and confirmed
the position of the bookkeeper Mrs. Miller quar-
raed with Mr. Conway and Mr.. Joerns in mos'
scandalous fashion and insisted that the papers De
signed She squarely accused Mr. Conway OF SPEAK
ing a. falsehood. The proceeding was undignlileu'
even disgraceful. 1t showed turmoil In the OFFICE
OF the state superintendent which could not De con-
tinued without ruinous results to educauoh III t'e
state. $1,000.
An Investigation among others in the depart
roent showed that Mrs Miller at daggers points
with virtually every in the office the poar"
felt that either Mrs Miller must resign or else ME-
Conway and his remaining assistants might just as
well turn the office to her and quit Such was
the real cause OF the boards action. J
What considerations led the board to resclnu lt'
action at a later date, the Journal does not know
No representative of this paper was present
The imputation that Mrs. Miller Is being maze |
.the goat" is untrue. AS far politics plays part
IN this matter the pressure Is all for Mrs. Miller
and not against her Very strong political pressure
is being used to protect her.
No hearing is necessary. superintendent con-
wav and the state board all know that the depart
nent Is disorganized for lack Of harmony and that
everyone in the office, except Mrs. Miller Is out OF
stem Keeping or discharging her Is a personal
problem for Mr.. Conway No hearing can help him
decide whether or not she Is out of harmony WIN
his program II she is she should have the grace
TO resign Mr. Conway elected by the people
and is responsible to the people. He can not ylelh
his authority or responsibility to Mrs. Miller. The
route To harmony is for Mrs Miller to get out.
The good ladies who have flown to her defense
are in mistaken position. II sex is to be used as
defense against charges of public unfitncss, people
will be afraid TO put women into office. The wom-
en- of New Mexico will be the victims of the error
OF these women. Public officials must measure up
They should all look alike officials
The women are more concerned than anyone
else in seeing that this is true.
The Journal is opposed to Mrs. Miller In spite
of the fact that she is woman and not because OF
that fact. We prefer chvalry to candor In dealing
with women. But the public welfare knows no SEX