The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-07-22
HOME MATTERS
FuDl1c Sch0ols-.COmpl lmentary Demon.
otraelOn to Mr.. Clark.

| HOME mAT1GH8
| Public Schools...COmpllmen Demon.
serael0n 70 Mr.. Clark.
when 1t became known that our City School
Board had determined, by the dodge Of reduc-
ing his salary, to remove Mr.. Clark as principal
OF the High School. our people, seeing in the
movement nothing but an effort to degrade our
public schools, naturally became indignant, and
efforts were at once put on foot to cause the
board to either reconsider their action, or to
ward off its effect The first step taken, there
fore, was to present to the board respectful
petition, signed by two.thirds of the property
owners in the city, asking them to reconsider
their action. What became of the petition is
stated quite truthiully and plainly enough for
ordinary purposes, in piece Of poetry in an
other column. The next was. to circulate pa-
per- in which the signers pledged themselves,
oy payment OF the sums opposite their names,
| to make up to Mr.. Clark the amount of the pro-
posed reduction of his salary. The amount
needed was $3.50, but the paper pledged $500.
Then, on Saturday evening, it was determined
that the signers, first meeting at the Office of J.
b. Rice, Esq, would organize in procession. and
headed BY Denhards and the Ottawa Band, pro-
coed in body to the residence of Mr.. Clark,
and presenting him the paper, ask him to con-
sent to remain a. principal Of cur Hi Oh School.
The procession, IT the hour appointed, was dulv
organized, Consisting of 800 to 400 persons. and
having arrived At the residence OF Mr.. CLARK.
made known to him their sentiments" through
DIR. JOS. Stout as their spokesman, IS follows:
MIR. THOMAS H. CLARK. Wpen we learned
the action OF the four members Of the Board Of
Education reducing your salary from $500 to
$3.50 We were filled with feeling, Of deem revret
not unmingled with shame and modification
regret because We saw under the tiimsy subter.
fuge OF economy blow had been struck for the
purpose OF lipling and destroying our free
public schools-shaDe and modification bec,nsa
four men could be found in our city capable of
doing 30 dastardly an act.
Ever since the establishment OF free schools in
Ottawa, over fifteen years ago, vow have been
connected with them, first as Principal Of the 5th
"ara school Tor some three years, and since then
as Principal OF the high school. and during the
school years Of 1856. aad 1868 as general superin-
teAdent Of the schools, and it is mainly owing to
your skill, aided by competent teachers, that our
pubic schools have attained their present high
standing. And it is not too much 20 saw that
even yoar eneme. dare not saw aurht spsin.t
your character or your capacity or conduct as .
teacher. We believe that you have contributed
not little TO the success OF the pnblis school
system in this state.
During the time you have been connected with
the schools OF Ottawa the children Of our city,
almost one generation, have been educated under
your care and superintendence, and have been
we'll prepared TO fill, and are now filing with
credit 70 themselves their chosen occupations in
life Many people from different parts Of the
county, who were able to do so, have sold their
property aud invested in city property for the
purpose Of securing TO their children the privil.
eyes OF our bile schools. We had always cher.
ished the hope that you would be permitted TO
remain at the head Of our public schools and
with the people of our city, with whom and with
whose interests you and your family have been
so long identified
In this connection We cannot refrain from say.
Tag something in regard to she tree school system.
They were frs. established III Germany aud the
Germans who have sought homes gu our shores,
Iinbued with these sentiments, have ever been
among the moot earnest supporters Of the free
schools
We wish We could say IS much Of all foreign.
e-s who have sought tie benefit oi our free in.
situations
To the American who believes u constitution.
al liberty and government Of laws, the free
school system j, one OF his most cherished instl.
tutions, aud one which he will not part with.
he believes that 10 republic free government
can be sustained without system Of general ed.
ucation supported by taxation, under which the
children OF both the rich and poor have equal
rghts-a ystem in which sertari, nism, in any
form whatever shall not be allowed to enter.
The American receives the foreigner with
open arms, from whatever country be may come,
bestows on him the right VI suffrage, the right
TO hold Office, and the ri -ht to worship his God
IN any form his conscience may dictate. And
We here say, that should any sect or class OF for.
eigners, who have received these privileges un.
dertake to use them either directly or indirect
", and insidious v, To subyert any OF the cher.
ished Tree Institutions OF our couRtry, they will
De met with spirit of determined resistance,
which will be found sufficient TO defend these
institutions from every assault that may be made
upon them.
! We know that in saying this We speak the
sentiments Of large majority OF the citizens OF
| Ottawa, whether .orei On or native born. The
mere reducing Of your salary would appear
! very small thing were il not tina. such action
was had insidususly and for the purpose of de.
,troying the efficiency and usefulness Of our
| public schools. The four members Of the Board
OF Education who reduced your salary we'll
knew you could obtain positions in public
schools in sister cities in this state at higher
salary than you have been receiving here, and
that their sction would compel You TO leave your
/ place i'll the public schools OF our city, and they
took this course that they might FIJI your place
with some person whom they could mould to
their own wishes. We we'll know tina. in this
city there are enemies to the public school sys.