The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-06-17
TIE CITY SCHOOLS.
Tho Rule Regarding Absence o
Pupils.

Tho Rule Regarding Absence of
Pupils.
Editors Intelligeneer::
Being a large contributor to the pub
lie school fund, claim theright to ex-
press myself respecting the odious
school rule recently before the Board of
Education.
At the meeting referred to 1t was
stated by Doctor Baird and Mr.. Clohan
that children were debarred access to
the public schools after absence, except
when the excuse contained the word
Unnecessary" This statement was de-
MED by the Superintendent, Mr.. viii
lIams. have only to say respecting
this matter ofveracity, that the parties
are all OF age and may settle this dis
pute between themselves. My object
is to direct attention to this odious rule.
MIR. 1. @. Tuttle, in his card, admits
that pupil after being absent returned
with a written note asking that the alb
sence be excused; that the teacher sent
the lad home for one correctly written:
that he came back and stated that his
mother refused; that the teacher might
take the excuse already sent. In short,
this lad was sent to and from school, as
appears by Mr.. Tuttles's card, q num-
Der OF times. His mother commands
him to go to school and refuses to alter
the excuse. The teacher and Mr..
futile command him to go home, and
refuse to admit him to II seat in the
Public School.
What is the lad to do? He cannot
obey two masters when their commands
are contradictory. Is he NOT, under the
circumstances, compelled TO abandon
both home and school and take TO the
highway, except some one has more
compassion than the cruel tutors who
enforce this rule? This Odlous rule is
a nhfRRt fha EnnnnRFl OF
Public Schools had in establishing the
same.
II You expect boys to grow up 10 be
good and useful members OF society, 1t
cannot be done by the application OF
thus rule.
This is not the first pupil debarred
from school for the same cause, and
compelled to go uneducated for causes
over which they have no control. Those
enforcing this Odious rule may console
themselves and say they will have
their hands in the taxpayers pockets
as far with 100 pupils as with 900.
This rule was introduced by MIR. S.
F. Williams, and the teachers say he
insists on its being enforced. 1t has
caused contention and controversy
from the time of its adoption. Com
mon sense dictates to the parents that
a line from them asking the pupil to be
excused is all that the teacher should
FeQulTes 4uey nave no LlshL " Ply
into family secrets, and inquire into
the cause of the absence, whether
the same be necessary or not. Accord
ing to the present ruling the excuse
must contain the word Unnecessary" or
according TO Mr.. futile, words empty
ing that the absence was necessary.
The practical operation is us follows: If
the parent has doubts that the absence
was necessary in order to get the pupil
readu tilted they nrs required to state
faIsehood directly by saying the alb
sense was necessary, or indirectly by
some kind OF insinuation that the alb
sence was necessary. There are but
two horns to the dilemma and the par
ents can take their choice first to lie di-
rectly or Indirectly. The second Is to
drum up the Superintendent, Mr.. Will
liams and ask him to please 10 allow
your child TO return to the public
school.
It is not unreasonable TO suppose
that some poor widow women are mad
equate to the task, to draft an excuse
TO suit the peculiar views of the School
Gentlemen. Men working by the day
or month cannot spare the time to run
down the Superintendent. Their time
is their money; their employers dock
them for the time so spent. And the
State laws compel them to contribute a
portion of their wages for the purpose
OF procuring the bread and butter of
the Superintendent, Mr.. F. S. Williams,
in addition to that of Mr.. I. C. futile,
Principal of 4th Ward Public Schools.
If the Board of Education refuse the
much needed relief, it is to be hoped
the Legislature will abolish the office
ofSuperintendent. Then there will be
no more complaint OF this rule.
TAX PAYER.