Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1866-06-16
WE had intended not to notice any further

the insane efforts of the petticoated indIvld-
ual who writes for the Amador Dispatch ovel
the signature of Phoenix; but she complains
SO bitterly that we "dodge the issue" and
do not attempt to refute, and dare not deny
her assertions, that we have come to the con-
clusion to humor the old lady little. and
give her one more chance to spread herself
Not deeming the attempts of an anonymous
correspondent of paper not published IN
our county, to blacken and defame the char
acter of one of our most popular officers
worthy of moments serious consideration
we have heretofore endeavored to treat Phe-
nix's communications with the ridicule they
deserved, and should never have noticed
them at all, had not reference Deen made to
the editor of this paper in one of the earlier
letters. 1t is evident to any one who possess
es the least discrimination. that the same per-
son is not the author of all the communica-
tons signed " Phoenix" which have appeared
in the d spatch. The first three or four ef-
| fusions were penned by an individual rejoic-
ing in the possession of those charms and at
tributes which belong exclusively to the fe-
male sex; but for reasons best known to
herself she has dropped the quill, and some
chivalrous son of distinguished sire has
taken the fight off her hands. In his last
communication, speaking of the editor of
this paper Phoenix says:
He has not the hardihood to deny or at
tempt to refute a single one of my assertions
in regard to the county official to whom I
have referred. 1t is true that the lrregulari-
ties of the individual complained of, as an
officer of the county and as teacher of a pub
lie school, do not concern me more than my
neighbors, yet am taxpayer, and conse-
quently contribute something towards the
support of the public schools of our county,
and 1 think that have right to speak of
the public acts of those who have the man.
agement of school matters wholly or partial
ly in their hands, the feelings and interests of
the CHRONICLE conductors to the contrary
notwithstanding.
Now, we have read all of Phenix's letters,
and we have failed to perceive when he las
made an assertion. or brought single charge
against the officer referred to. We defy him
to point to single instance where he has
mentioned an act of our Superintendent of
Schools which has not been in strict conform
ity with law and propriety. In fact, we do
not recollect of his having designated which
county officer he was endeavoring to assail,
until recently. If Phoenix knows that
wrongs have been committed by the officer
in question. why does he not come out boldly
and prefer charges against him, over his real
name, and through the columns of one of his
own county papers, instead of writing anon
ymous communications to the Dispatch, and
endeavoring, by base insinuations and ma
licious misrepresentation. to accomplish
what he dare not openly undertake: The
only reasons we can assign, are, because the
motives which actuate him in his attempt to
east aspersion and calumny upon the char
acter of a public officer. had their birth in
malice and jealousy, and that like all other
slanderous reptiles, he is afraid to face the
man he is trying to defame. 1t is apparent
to all who have taken the trouble to read
Phnnix's communications, that they are the
emanations of one of those detestable, ma
levolent creatures who curse almost eyery
community, and whose highest ambition
seems to be to crafty their personal spite
and malice. After weeks of labored effort
and the exercise of all the malignant ingen-
uity which he possesses, this sapient Phoenix
has been unable to mention one single action
of our County Superintendent which reflects
in the remotest degree upon his official con-
duct. In his last letter he refers to a case oi
whipping" which occurred in a school moi
far from this place, and endeavors to throw
the blame of the transaction upon the Su-
perintendent. In reference to this matter
Phoenix says:
1t is said that the teacher uses q rawhidt
for the purpose of inficting punishment upon
refractory, idle or disobedient students; and
in fit of passion administered to puny
child of the age of five years MILD castige.
ton; that is thirty-th stripes, each Of
/ 'AA.SN NN-e " a''AAA pm pSISOu VI LII
child. This. too, at time when the afore.
said teacher had in his possession certif.
cate proving his competency to teach a pub.
lie school. signed by the proper authority tc
issue such instruments to applicants. AS you
know, it is the custom-and the law-tha,
all teachers of public school shall pass ar
examination before board of examiners pre-.
sided over by the county superintendent ant
| thar dn hie how = 4
school government as well as to scholastic
requirements, must be satisfactory. In view
of these facts, will enquire of the CHRoN1.
Gle If it is in accordance with the schoo
laws that children be whipped with q raw.
hide in the public schools in order to enforce
obedience to the mandates of the teacher.
There are more falsehoods and misrepre
sentations contained in the above extract
than we thought possible to crowd into Sc
small space. In the first place the whip.
ping referred to occurred in a private, anc
not in public school; consequently thu
teacher is not under the control, or within
the jurisdiction of the County Superinten
dent. Secondly, although the person men
toned may hold certificate, signed by tn,
proper authorities, stating that he is compe
tent to teach public school, Phoenix is vel
aware, if he knows anything about the cir
cumstances. that that document was ISSUED
by former, and not by the present County
Superintendent, and that he has not the pow.
er, if he had the will, to revoke it. In an
swer to the last inquiry, we will state that
teacher has legal right to maintain order
and enforce his commands by whipping. i
necessary. Has Phoenix any more 'asser