The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-08-12


Wherefore could not csnsistently ask for TO |
duction OF salary for the principal Of the 1t |
ward, when it IVES admitted that her salary Va |
too low in proportion to her grade, and was
obliged to ask for an increase Of salary for Jan.
itor who had faithfully performed his duty aud |
same work in the % ward, No we're paying $50
On thie increase they hovlsd trsmsndously b. |
cause had the courage to raise my voice for
poor man.
now claim the right TO explain what were
my views twelve months sgo-which can best |
be done by relating portion Of . conversation
which took place between the Men director of
the I'd ward and myself. The principal of the
lst ward having asked me to try and have her
salary raised to 800, to be in proportion with
the principal of the ID ward, stated her re-
quest to the then director OF said ward, and
asked his views on the matter He stated he
did not think the financial condition of the
Board would justify such q course and would
rather favor reduction of 500 in his ward.
This conversation took place in his store Some
time after he called at my shop, and. talking on
the same subject, we agreed to drop 800 in the
ID and 9TH wards. These we're "the saloons
where the directors met. connecting sectarisn
schemes to destroy the efficiency OF our public
schools" as has been stated the sectarisps being
the said director aud myself. The substance
of these conversations stated to the director of
the 4th ward, and on the strength of this he
presented resolution to the Board, embracing
the facts as stated, and also that $25 be dropped
from the lower teachers, and the salary of Su-
perintendent from T. H. Clark. I seconded the
motion, stating as my reason for doing 81, that I
wished to bring it before the Board to get the
views of the other directors. It was voted
down. Thus it will be seen that was in favor
Of raising salaries, with view to equalization,
until was given to understand that the tax.
payers wished for u reduction with view to
retrenchment. After my reelection for the
present year, stated my views to some OF the
present directors. who seemed to approve OF
them. Believing as did, that the public re-
quired retrenchment, voted for the reductions
made-but since the petition came before the
Board, l feel that vas mistaken, and that my
original view of equalizing by raising salaries
was correct Now BY dropping the word econ
omy and using the word Equalization" I can
consistently vote to raise the salaries as soon 90
called upon-for, whether you reduce or I'D.
vance them, it matters not, as far as Am con.
cerned.
Now, having said 81 much about eq ualization,
will explain what mean by it. l believe the
directors have q right to fix RI. grade of the
several schools, aud I do not object TO the direc.
tor OF the I'd ward fixing the standard of the
grade OF his school as high as he plesses, pro-
vided he raises the standard of other schools Of
the same grade equally az high Then fix the
salaries according 10 grade-sufficiently high TO
secure teachers competent 10 bring their pupils
up to the required standard. l do not think
you should in justice employ teacher for .
certain grade, Whose talents are more than are
required to bring her pupils up to the requisite
standard, sad then ask for an increase of salary
in that individual case. for, by so doing, you
imply that ether teachers OF the same grade are
not capable of performing their duties efficient
ly as this teacher for whom the increase il
asked, and is no. expected to do more il tho
other teachers OF the same grade fail to perform
their duties. Remove them but do not reduce
their salaries: otherwise you do an injustice to
the people of those wards. Are there any cases
OF this kind? The principals of the I'd and 9Th
wards were each receiving 800, while tho 6rst
assistant in the Sd ward and the principal of the
4th ward, being each one grade higher, were
receiving but the same. while the principal Of
the LIST ward. being but one grade lower. re-
ceived bu. $500, being $500 less. Again, the
first assistant of the 81 ward and the principals
Of the 4th, 9th and 7th are each of one grade
they preparing pupils for the high school yet,
the principal of the 9Th ward receives $1,000
and of the 7th 5000. while the 4th ward priuci.
pal and first assistant Of the Sd ward receive but
800 each. Why this difereace7 Is it that
the two last named are females7 believe that
female whose governing faculties are - good,
and who is equally capable of bringing hsr pu.
pills up to the required standard, as male, is
ble you do an injustice to the people Of those
wards in retaining them there. "This IL all
correct" SAYS director, "but what about re.
ducing the salary Of the Sd ward principal !? #"
deny having reduced the salary Of the Sd ward
principal, and for proof refer you to page 234
of the school records, where yoa will And that
the salary of the principal Of tho Sd ward school
is fixed at $3.50. On page 24S, you will find
that $3.50 was added. providing he accept the
Office of Superintendent of Public Schools He
did accept the Office and performed tho duties
same, and part of the duties. Last year, feel.
ing he was no longer Superintendent, he ques.
toned his own right to call and Preside over
teachers meetings. This beng brought before
the Board, ne was instructed to do 20, o. prinei.
pal, as he was drawing the pay Of superin.
tendent He did call the meetings then, but
has ceased to de 40 since-for what cause and By
whose authority 60 not know. cannot see
how directors o'n consistently, with their oaths.
pay $3.50 without receiving an equivalent
was we'll aware that if We touched this $3.50, =
petition would come in. but was in hopes it
would represent facts a. they were, in which
Gaze would have made the Judgment of the Pc.
titoners my judgment Instead Of this they
have misrepresented facts and have obtained
signatures on this Misrepresentation, a. I an
prepared to prove. They have asked, care you
in favor Of introducing religion into the
schoolsy" and, on being answered in the mega
tive, have said, sigh this petition" Why
should I, under such circumstances, make the
judgment of such petitioners mine2 They be-
ing deceived. why should be wish to refer
to one more fsct Last year Mr.. T. H. Clark
and friends compelled u teacher to accept a po.
80 as vvhs n1, sv1