The Lykens Standard, April 24, 1908, printed endorsements by two Millersburg newspapers for the candidacy of J. F. Adams for the Superintendency of the Public Schools of Dauphin County. By law, the county superintendent was elected at a triennial meeting of the school directors of the county. Unfortunately, for the Upper End, the candidate from Middletown, Prof. H. V. B. Garver was re-elected to the post for another three year term.
The endorsement from the Millersburg Herald:
Among the most prominent aspirants for Superintendent of the Public Schools of Dauphin County, is the efficient principal of the schools of Millersburg, Prof. J. F. Adams. Without invidious comparison or disparity to any of the the other candidates for this important and responsible position, we candidly believe that Mr. Adams, with his experience in school work, his wide range of contact with leading educators and his fine executive ability coupled with his energy, eminently fit him for the position and make him the most available man in the field. Prof. Adams has wrought a great work here for our schools and the cause of education. He has proven an untiring worker and brought about here an interest in popular education almost akin to a revolution. We are pleased to know that the directors are giving him great encouragement from every section of the county and that his chances of election are growing brighter every day.
The endorsement from the Millersburg Sentinel:
The Sentinel takes great pleasure in formally announcing the name of Prof. J. F. Adams as a candidate for the office of County Superintendent.
He is widely known throughout the State and other States, and is recognized as one of the strongest supporters of organized work among teachers. At the State Teacher’ Association in Reading in 1905 he was one of the committee of the who organized the High School Department of the State Association. At Altoona in 1906 he was appointed on the committee of Necrology for the enduing year. He has been actively engaged in the High School Department since its organization. He delivered an address at the Altoona meeting, and during the past year has been secretary of the department. Prof. Adams was also a charter member of the State Science and Mathematics Association, and was a member of the committee that formulated its constitution. He was the founder of the dauphin County Principals’ Conference, and was its president during the past year. He has had many years experience in the work of supervising schools, and his schools have always reached a high degree of efficiency. As the Sentinel said almost a year ago, “his record as principal of our local schools is an open page of successes, and we feel confident that the same tact and executive ability put into the office of county superintendent would result in raising the standard of our county schools. we heartily commend Prof. Adams to the directors of Dauphin County, and trust they will unite in giving him their best support.
From the Lykens Standard, May 1, 1908:
SCHOOL DIRECTORS CONVENTION
The triennial convention of the school directors of Dauphin County will be held in Harrisburg in Court Room No. 1, on Tuesday next at 10 a. m., for the purpose of electing a County Superintendent of Public Schools. There are three candidates in the field and the contest promises to be an interesting one. reports received by the friends of J. F. Adams of Millersburg, from different parts of the county, indicate that he is in the lead and his election will give satisfaction to the Upper End of the county, for the reason that the Upper End has not had a superintendent for many years.
From the Harrisburg Telegraph, May 5, 1908:
GARVER HEADS COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR 3 YEARS
School Superintendent Re-Elected After a Lively Contest
VOTE WAS GARVER 102, DETTER 71, ADAMS 22
Largest Convention of Directors Ever Held Here; Delegates Earnest
Prof. H. V. B. Garver, of Middletown, was this morning elected county superintendent, after one of the sharpest contests known for the office in years, defeating Prof. D. F. Detter of Williamstown, and Prof. J. F. Adams, of Millersburg. The convention… was attended by 202 directors from all districts in the county except Harrisburg, Steelton and Middletown, the greatest interest being manifested and several women being present.
This is Prof. Garver’s fourth term, as he was elected nine years ago, succeeding Prof. R. M. McNeal. Three years ago he was opposed by Prof. Detter, but won out by a small majority. This morning he polled more than both of his opponents….
Prof. D. M. Stine, of Elizabethville, presided and the proceedings were watched by a large number of spectators, the long canvass made by the candidates having stirred up many sections of the county.
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