No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 239 



school officers to subserve the interests of a political machine, and 

 the other is the almost universal man management of our schools. 

 If there is one thing more than another upon which our present 

 day politics should not be permitted to lay its hand, it is our public 

 schools. Its effect is ever baneful. 



The second influence referred to, the ignoring of women in school 

 offices, is depriving the State of the services of many of her most 

 loyal citizens. Every one admits woman's interest in education. 

 Even the most conservative will grant that the training of the young, 

 is not only her privilege but her duty. You will say that women are 

 largely employed as teachers. True, but why not give them a voice 

 in the management of the schools. Then too, how many times, think 

 you, would the young woman teacher be delighted, and her heart 

 lifted of a heavy burden, if she could but consult a woman director 

 in regard to matters which affect her pupils, but which her youthful 

 modesty will not permit her to bring to the attention of a board com- 

 posed entirely of men. The most important office in the whole school 

 system is that of director. He is a power in his way, and he should 

 be equipped with a liberal education, a knowledge of up-to-date 

 educational methods, interest in the schools, and a belief in their 

 possibilities, a knowledge of child-nature and sufficient leisure to 

 devote to the various duties of the office. Few men, granting them 

 all the other qualifications, know children as do women, or have such 

 an appreciation of children's needs as is necessary in the ideal school 

 director, while very many do not have the time to devote to looking 

 after the welfare of the schools or to give them that thought which 

 they demand. At the same time there are women of culture and 

 experience in educational matters, in almost every community, ready 

 and willing to serve their State in this way, but their services are 

 not only not asked for but not accepted when offered, as has been 

 demonstrated manv times within recent vears. But when we recall 

 that school directors are elected by men and that the office is very 

 widely considered the lawful prey of the politician — the earnest of 

 greater political favors — it is no wonder the advocates of woman 

 suffrage tell us that nothing short of franchise in the hands of wo- 

 men, can bring about this necessary reform. However, I am not yet 

 an avowed woman suffragist, and believe that when the attention of 

 the voters is called to this matter they will see the error of their 

 way, will see the mistake they have been making, in thus ignoring 

 women. But if they do not, and will continue to be so selfish in 

 this matter, I will heartily favor an act making it obligatory upon 

 them to elect and keep on every board of school control a certain 

 number of women. The law making them eligible to the position 

 should have thus provided for their election. I trust, friends, thai 



