The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-07-06
ShnII NE Mave a Migh SCHOOL !

To the Editors OF the Intelligence
This is the question 10 be decided by the
Board OF Education tonight; and II is not
TO be doubted that the Board will act, in
this matter, with due regard To the we'll.
fare OF the public, and not allow them.
selves TO be swayed by prejudice, interest
or passion. They will consider well that
this may be the last opportunity they will
have To act on the favorable proposition
OF the Board Of Trustees OF the Lindsey
Institute. They will also consider that
the time cannot be far oil when High
School will be looked upon as an impera.
tive necessity. Then, when it is too late
to obtain the Lindsey Institute, if the
present offer be refused, the public may
be invited To loot the bill Tor u High
School building at a cost Of not less than
fifty or sixty thousand dollars.
From indications which have recently
been given, il is evident that we are either
to 90 on and complete our Public School
system by the establishment of High
School, or to have it dwarled and rendered
comparatively inefficient by supineneSS,
and neglect OF that which, Of all things, is
now mos; needed 10 carry it on 10 periec.
ton. But II the public or the Board Of
Education, AS its organ in this respect, will
allow itself to be misled by false repre-
sensations, then there is no help iOr it,
As last resort, we can only refer them
10 two articles which have recently APP
peared in the lSTELLIGENCEH We refer
particularly to the articles signed IN. N"
and Response" II the careful reading
OF these articles does not produce the de-
sired conviction, then the case IS hopeless
for the present at least.
# Is perhaps well known 10 many in
the community that the fierce opposition
which has lately been urged against a
High School, originated with some two
or three individuals who supposed that
their relations TO the schools might be
affected in manner unfayorable to their
personal interests Upon this | have no
comment to make. But il these gentle
men should be successful in their efforts
TO defeat the present wise and economical
plan for the establishment Of a High
School, it will not prObably.proye to them
hereafter a source OF very pleasant SELF
graduation.
In this connection would say word
in regard to the means which have been
used to defeat the High School. 1t is
evident that the opponents have not felt
inclined TO rest the case upon It's merits,
but mostly upon very offensive persOnali-
ties. Among other things our city super
inlendent has been assailed in manner
which | am sure will not be justified by
his opponents in their own minds when
they come TO reflect coOlly upon the sub
ject II docs seem to me that the assaults
which have been made upon him are
most unjust and ungenerOus.
That our Superintendent is inclined to
"play the despOt," is proposition which
would not be entertained for moment
by those who know him best. There is
probably not teacher connected with
our public schools who would not heartily
testify as to his uniform moderation, kind
ness and courtesy.
As to the Superintendent Icing in.
huenced in the High School matter by
"seli.interest," your correspondent must
confess that he cannot exactly see wherein.
That gentleman has character in this
community for nobleness Of purpose, and
devOtedness to the public interests, which
at other times, would probably moi
be gainsayed; and it seems to me
that every dispassionate and un'
prejudiced person who knows him, viii!
admit the truth OF this remark. think
may ask, therefore, as an act Of simple
Justice, the insertion Of this article in the
columns Of the INTRLLIGESCER, in order
that these matters may he placed In theiI
true light before the public.
IUeeliEg, July ., 1871, ROLAND.