Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 94, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1908 — STATS SUPERINTENDENGT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

STATS SUPERINTENDENGT.

Lawrence McTumen Knows the Needs of Indiana’s Schools. LAWRENCE McTURNAN, of Indianapolis, for State Superintendent \of Public Instruction. Mr. McTumaa had a large following among ths ■cnooi men of the State, who worked for his success. His victory was a signal one, as he won the nomination on the first ballot with two opponents In the field. His vote was 814, 736 being necessary to a choice. Concerning Mr. McTurnan’s success, the Fort Wayne News says editorially: “The nomination of Mr. McTumaa for State Superintendent of Public In* struotlon waa a peculiarly happy one, as he will make a conscientious and thoroughly capable head of school affairs. Not only la Mr. McTuraan fitted for the place by reason of high character and education, but because he has had a ripe experience in the offloe to which he aspires. He has given to his work an Intelligent devotion that has caused him to be recognized as one of the school authorities of the nation and It was a fitting tribute to his qualifications that the leading school men of the State were in attendance at the convention earnestly urging his nomination.” Mr. McTuraan was born thirty-three years ago in the village of Rigdon, Ind. He attended school in the winter and worked on the farm in the summer; he ooncelved an early aspiration which gave force and direction to his school life. He taught hia first school at the age of sixteen. It was a successful school and from that time the young man was inspired to devote his life to public school* work and educate himself for his chosen calling. Thus began an undaunted struggle to complete hiß education entirely through his own efforts. He continued teaching for several winters, attendthe Fairmount Academy, the Marion Normal College, apd the State University in summer vacation, and graduated from the Indiana State Normal In 1897. Since then he has done special work at Butler College. Mr. McTuraan is the outcome of hard work, steady persistence and

self-discipline. He has plodded over and tested every inch of the way from boyhood in a country school to hie present position, Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction. He advanced successively from country school teacher to village school teacher, high school teacher, county and city superintendent of schools. Eight years ago he made an enviable record as superintendent of the Madi son county schools. During the five years of his county superintendency, his board views and practical reform* drew the attention of school official! and elicited their highest praise Later he accepted the superintendent of the schools at Alexandria and lntc this work be carried the same vlgoi and wise policy. He believed that teachers could do better work when In olose touch with their superlnten dents; he was unsparing of hlffisell and untiring in his efforts to aid them; he stood In most friendly relations to his teachers. When proffered the position ol Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Alexandria School Board offered him & considerable in crease In salary to Induce him to re main there, but the broader scope of the State work, appealed to him and he accepted the place. He has shown remarkable efficiency In perforates the duties of his office.

Mr. McTurnan Is a man of great natural ability. He la a ready and forcible epeaker, an original thinker, and a fluent writer. Hla speeches and magazine articles on educational mat ters have attracted much attention. He not only holds the highest ideals and the most advanced ideas, but alsc has the courage of his convictions. He Is well respected by all school officials who know him and la exceedingly popular among the teachers of the State. It Is of great benefit to the school system to place at the bead of the department a man who Is only qualified but Is, at the same time. In close toucfc with all Its work. It Insures continuity and conservative progress In the work of the offloe. Sin may pay as a one night engagement, bat In the long ra It doeee the theatre. There are always a lot of fallows who would like to see the man at the top flail off.

LAWRENCE McTURNAN.