Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-06-11

THE SCHOOL EOARD-THE OTRER
SIDE OF hi QUESTION.

SIDE Or TIE
Editors Memphis Appeal:
Such IS the sbsurdity Of statements
made by newspaper correspondents in
references to the suspension of one Of the
teachers in the public schools and the
reprimand administered to another. thgt
] am induced to believe all those express
siOHs of small fireworks designed as
advertisements in promotion of the IN
terests o fparties involved. It is ashfewd
trick, and if it wins no one viii be more
/ g-atiied than myself. If newspaper
correspondents had confined themselves
to the facts in the case, for reasons sug-
gested, l Would have remained silent.
When, however, it is alleged that I am
a radical, suffer me to say that the state
ment is utterly baseless. / never have
and never viii vote the radical ticket.
True, I sm president, and, as well, 8
member Of the board of school visitors.
l have the right, and exercise it at
all times when / choose, of voting,
as a member of the board, and
when a tie occurs, / give my casting
vote. Ny right to this viii never be
questioned by any one who has read
Jefferson's Manual. When the motion
made to reiustate the teacher was voted
on, mine was the fifth name called. I
did not then know what would be the
result of the balloting, and hay decision
was made without reference to the &C
ton or opinion of others. Matters Of
the character here discussed are always,
by all boards of school visitors, acted on
in secret session. The reason is that it
is not the purpose Of such boards to in
jure character by giving publicity to
charges preferred against employees.
In this case one party was reprimanded
and the other discharged for the rest Of
the session. Both submitted statements
in writing, upon which the board acted.
1 may be permitted to add that the lsdy's
statement shows that n newspaper
writer is mistaken. She was not elected
from the school room by force. Mr..
Shattuck was TepTimanded be-
cause he did not appeal to
the superintendent. The rules
Of the board of visitors require every
member present to vote, unless excused
by the members. l have obeyed the
rules, and in this ease have no apologies
to make, and see nc reason why IshOuld
have acted differently. As TO the parti-
Zan creeds of the several members Of the
board, il may be well to state that this
inquiry was never before presented. I
am sure, however, that ~two-thirds, If not
three-fourths of all the members of the
board are, with myself adherents Of Mr..
Etheridge in the pending contest in Ten
nessee. 1 have no objection to any num-
Der of advertisements promotive of indi-
viduai interests based upon this affair,
and have only to say, would thank
those engaged in this business to eonine !
themselves to the facts when my name
must be used. Let the people inquire
into the condition of the schools when
1 first assumed the position L oe-
cupy, and then let them see what
reforms have been achieved. These are
questions that interest the public. / may
add that the value of drugs and wares
that l sell are unaffected by my par
titan opinions and predictions, aud
while ! am not and nsver viii be 8
radical, / don't understand why, if the
contrary were true, / might not be q
very proper druggist. In conclusion,
suffer me to say that if gentlemen with
/ am associated in the supervision
Of our system of public instruction, or
any body of men representing popular
would supDle1t me for psrtizan
or other reasons, would be very happy
to resign the thankless and proitless
position which / occupy.
Respectfully, n H. HIGBEE.