elected to the office of county superintendent of schools
for a term of four years. As this term has now expired, it
is a favorable time to inquire how women have succeeded in
this new line of labor. That the work that devolves upon
county superintendents may be understood, I give a part of
the synopsis of the duties pertaining to the office, as
enumerated by Dr. Newton Bateman:

_First_--She must carefully inspect and pass upon the bonds
of all township treasurers, and upon the securities given in
each case, and is personally liable as well upon her
official bond for any loss to the school funds sustained
through her neglect or careless performance of duty.

_Second_--She must keep herself fully and carefully informed
as to what townships have and what have not complied with
the provisions of the law in respect to maintenance of
schools; so that no funds may in ignorance be paid to
townships having no legal claim to them.

_Third_--She must collect, transcribe, classify, verify,
tabulate, and transmit annually to the State superintendent
the school statistics of her county, together with a
detailed written report of the condition of the common
schools therein.

_Fourth_--She must arrange, classify, file and preserve all
books, papers, bonds, official correspondence and other
documents belonging to her office.

_Fifth_--She must impart instruction and give directions to
inexperienced teachers in the science, art and method of
teaching, and must be ready, at all times, to counsel,
advise and assist the school officers of her county.

_Sixth_--She must take an active part in the management of
County Teachers' Institutes, and labor in every way to
improve the quality of teaching in her county.

_Seventh_--She must hear, examine, and determine all
questions and controversies under school law, which may be
referred to her, and must carefully prepare, to the best of
her knowledge and ability, such replies to all letters from
school officers and teachers as each case demands.

_Eighth_--She must examine all candidates desiring to teach