The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-08-13
zine school Trustees.

The school Trustees.
We think there are no men who serve the
public that give evidence Of more praise
worthy and unimpeachable motives in the
discharge of their duties, than the masters
Of our public schools. Their charge is
delicate, difficult vexatious and thankless
one. Beside the responsibility of meeting
the heavy expenses of the school system
from the revenue begrudgingly granted, and
the difficulty of procuring teachers qualified
in all respects for the various posts in the
different departments, they have daily SUI
perintendence and care which is very oner-
Gus and delicate, and often perplexing and
vexatious. They form the appellate author
ity in all questions of rules and discipline.
There is scarcely an act Of punishment, in
Hicted in the schools without the case being
made known to them, and the verdict ap-
proved In term time, there are hourly
messages passing from the school buildings
to the offices of one or the other Of the trus-
tees, culprit boys carrying notes of accusa-
ton against themselves, to learn the judg-
nent Of the trustee in the case Of the Of
fender. They are the arbiterS too between
the teachers, and between over anxious and
indulgent parents and-in the mind of the
parent-the too rigid and arbitrary instruc-
tors. Daily are they obliged to listen to
groundless omplaints-prejudiced misrep-
reservations, endless stories, that would ex-
haust the patience of saint. All this is
done without compensation, or even thanks
for after faithful and laborious discharge
of these difficult duties, every man who has
an individual, imaginary grievance, sum-
mons them before the tribunal of the public,
through the newspapers and they have to
stand trial; while none are grateful enough
to speak a word of appreciation.
We are surprised, that in these degener-
ate days three capable, faithful public ser
wants can be found to fill the station; it is
evidence that there is still a high degree of
public virtue outside the circle Of politics,
though il be destroyed and dead within it.
If their services were fully and duly appre-
ciaiel no men in the community, would
receive so high word of praise and public
gratitude, for the disinterested and valuable
services as the three school trustees. We do
not sreak Of them to pass eulogium upon
al. N
public appreciation but to gain for them the
silent support of public opinion-to sustain
the public confidence in their judgment
and impartiality, which it is essential fol
them to have in order to discharge their du
ties with efficiency, and secure the best re
suits of their Iabors for the public. 1t is 70
t1at We tesirte q sw r-tn II 1dsr atrftcrsrfc'
Of their services. Unless they have the full
confidence of the city-unleSs their author
ity be sustained by the public, the govern
ment of the schools will become derange
and lax, and finally destroyed, and the Who'll
system fall into dissolution. The Trustee
are the head and their authority the soul q
the scheme. If they be distrusted, an,
their power impaired the schools will no
be worth their cost.
There is one conclusive answer TO all com
plainants and all cavaliers against the Board
They are three most impartial and compe
tent men-who have proved they are ac
tuated, in assuming their duties, by nobl,
disinterested public spirit-they have NJ
temptations of any kind to sacrifice tn,
public interests. The permanent success O
the schOols-their present condition-whicl
is the pride Of every citizen, proves the ex-
cellence Of the past management, and give:
the strongest guarantee for the future. Let
every citizen give these honorable gentle
men the support of his silent but hearty ap
probation. The don't seek public honor.
and praise; they look for their reward in
the conscious pride and satisfaction they
will receive in exhibiting to the world the
best system of public schools in the State
of Indiana. To secure this, they need
simply the confidence of their fcllow-citizens,
IN the integrity Of their motives and the
correctness of their judgments and this, VIC
are quite sure they will have, in spite OF
the petty complaints and personal cavils
which their course has excited in some quar-
tiers. The best men are fallible-thcy NAY
have erred in a single instance-but the
presumptiOns from their long experience
and faithful, upright services, are that they
are right in their decision. BE il as it NAV.
their judgment should not be reversed nor
their authority interfered with, for slight
reasons. It is better that slight private
wrong should 50 uuredvessed, than the eff
fciency of an important public institution
be impaired. \ wound to the persona
pride of a teacher is Of little consequence
compared with thrust at the vital parts o
our school system.