The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-12-20
G0ntational,
PUBLIC SCHOOL MEETING.


The sling was organized by elecIing
THOMAS J. NORRIS, Esq, President, and
DANIEL LEE and RopRRT C. FRUIT Secretaries.
John G.. Freeze, Esq, on behalf of the
Board of School Directors, stated that they
had called the public together for the purpose
Of resigning lheir office. The Board had EN-
deavored by all means in lis power to estab-
lish good schools for the correct education Of
every mans child, and 10 maintain proper
order, discipline and decorum in these schools
The Directors freely contributed their time
and attention 10 the care and management of
the schools, and had used their best judgment
in ibe decision Of the many matters connect.
ed with The interests Of parents, teachers and
scholars. If they were to be maligned for
their services, they desired that the people
would now select six other men, and into
their hands the present Board would surren-
der lis trust ane office.
Mr. E. Armstrong moved that the present
Board OF Directors be continued.
MIR. VIM. M'Kelvy desired TO amend, that
committee OF Investigation be appointed 10
report all the facts Of the difficulty which had
given occasion for calling the present meet
ing, He urged the amendment with sorne
earnest remarks.
Mr.. Freeze desired 10 explain that by the
law and the Practice of the Common School
system, The Board of Directors was the body
before and by whom such an investigation
as was proposed could alone be made. That
investigation the Board had made fully and
thoroughly, and had then passed resolutions
wash he read, strongly sustaining the teach
er agaicsi whom complaint had been made
Tor alleged severe punishment He desired
il to be urderstoodSy all, that if the resigna-
ton now rendered was not accepted, the
schools would oil be continued by the "same
teachers ind in the same manner as hereto
lore; and that the Directors would use all their
authority to maintain proper discipline and
order in the schools"
Some further remarks were made by Messrs.
M'Kelvy and Freeze.
Rev: D. ]. Waller proposed 10 amend the
strong. by moving that the resignation Of the
Directors be not accepted. He remarked thai
every act of public officers could not be iM-
medistely passed upon BY an inquisiiion of
the people. These Directors, like all officers,
were presumed 10 be chosen because of their
fitness for the office, and were elected for
specified and fixed terms. If in that time
they were guilty of any misdemesnor or ma
licous aud wlful wrong, there was remedy
in the courts of The land. This meeting could
not properly here discuss and decide any dif-
ficulty or action from which the call for it
sprung; but whatever difference OF opinion
there might be as TO severity or proprietF of
correction, no such desperate case was pre-.
senled as could justify 40 entire revolution,
and ths immediate deposition of The Direct
/ ors. Such action here would create anarchy
and rio,ousness in the schools, and confusion
and embarrassment in any new Board of Di-
rectors who could be induced to undertake
their management.
The resolution as amended by MFR. Waller
was then put TO vote and adopted unanimous
y.
Mr.. Freeze then announced that the Di-
recors would feel constrained 10 continue in
office, and justified TO use their authority to
make the schools what they ought to be.
John NJ. Chemberlin, one of the Directors,
remarked that il would encourage botli teach
ers and scholars If parents would sometimes
visit the schools and thus manifest an inter-
es, in the success and progress of their chill
dren. @
r. w. Weaver called the attention of the
meeting 10 necessary provision for school
discipline in reference to which he had fonnd
some misunderstanding which needed cor.
reciion. The Directors alone have authority
10 expei sch olat sand that only after esi-
dence that he fincorrigible-depraved, and
bad beyond correction or reform. This a
scholar might be either by evincing brutal
physical power, an uugove.uable passion, or
an unconauerable temper. As the malice
and mischief incident 10 these would corrupt
and annoy awhole school, such scholar must
be removed. But the effort at correction must
FIST be made, and this is the teachers duty,
The authority Of the parent is delegated 10
him for that purpose both by reason and law.
And if now any persons complain oftoo se-
ssre punishment, and say "why did you not
turn The scholar out il he offended !" these
and many more would say "why did you not
7
do your duty and first correct him." if the
teacher or directors would dismiss every
scholar who did wrong. Besides, the latter
course would nearly empty every school,
The law in this respect was in consonance
with sound reason. But if Directors discharge
scholar from school before an attenp. is
made 10 correct such pupil--befors be is pro.
we'd incorrigibe--,hey would be guilty. Of
misdemeancr in office and subject 10 remo-
val.
On motion the meeting adjoumed.
THE LIGHT STREET SCHOOLS.