The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-05-08

teaching six hours day, and twenty DAYS for
a month? And have not all these expenses
largely increased, since the present system was
inaugurated? II our schools are benefited by
this increased expense, the people will say, all
right, lay on the taxes But il they are not
benefited. well may they enquire. why is 1t
Ia reply to the question, ''Why did not the
Legislature repeal the Law creating County
superintendent OF Schools, when the people
petiuoned for 1t from almost every county in
the State? ?" l did say, that when the petit
tons, and memorials OF Supervisors, asking
for u repeal of the law. commenced coming in
blank remonstrances were sent out from the
State superintendent Office, to the County
| superintendent, and from them to the teach
ers, thus forming a combination or ring. by
which remonstrance was sent into every
school and school district in the State, and
nearly every person in the State, who could be
induced to sign such a remonstrance was
reached the circumstances were thus filed up
and the Legislature was flooded with them ="
l St. ed what believed to be true, and had
GOO reasons for so believing 1T has been
char ed repeatedly IN the Legislature and else
where, and have never before heard It denied
II it was not true, | have been misnformed
and will acknowledge my error. Mr.. Earle at
tempts to prove it, absolutely untrue for
the reason that he did not receive 'such petit
ton" ! had special reference to the Legisla-
ture OF 1871. and at that time, believe Mr..
Earle had not reached the Principals chair in
Paw Paw | Mon School. But | ask him, il he
did not at that time, while teaching grade in
that school, sign just such remonstrance
which was sent to the Legislature and IL he
did not refuse to sign a similar one to be sent
TO the last Legislature. when employed as
Principal in that school and assign as a rea
son that 1t had been charged IN the Iegisla-
ture that the superintendent ana teachers had
banded together to defeat a repeal of the Law
and the names Of Principals of Schools on the
circumstances, would be cited TO prove the al
legation Z" and il he does not know. that the
remonstrances were " sent out to the teachers,
by the superintendent of Schools
/ also remarked, that under our school
superintendent Law the superintendent and
teachers could by organization, so combine
throughout the State, az to control the whole
workings Of our school system. even to the
granting of certificates. number OF DAYS for a
month, and amount Of teachers wages" In
In that connection 1 did not use the word
ring :" but if they do avail themselves OF the
privileges given them by the law, can see no
improperly in the use of the term II they
do not, they are certainly more generous than
most other persons engaged in other pursuits
IN life. and deserve the gratitude OF the people,
In all these remarks l did not intend to falsl-
~, or say that which was absolutely un-
true, or charge the teachers OF Van buren,
County with forming O base ring" TO defraud
the people. or that the namesIsgned to the re-
monstrances were forged By the teachers.
or that the teachers OF Van Buren, County
care Tor nothing but to pass the time and
draw the pay" nor can believe that he has
succeeded with all OF his labored efforts in con-
vincing the readers OF the TRUE NoRrHERSER
that did 80 intend. or that have so charged |
them.
am grieved to know that my learned friend
did condescend to use such hard words and
charge them to me, or could even intimate. |
that " man of my SIZE" might attempt to
creep through very small hole" The use of
sucn inferred language and such epthets may
be deemed proper fer gentleman occupying
his position as an instructor OF the Young. but |
to plain farmer, ia discussion where cour- /
tesy, candor, and facts are required, it would
seem that milder and better chosen terms
might ihaye been substituted with equal pro-
pretv. But habits are stubborn things. and |
no one Knows better than ne must that he
who Furnishes III anger knows not the force or
effect OF the blows he deals. until reason is re
stored and the mangled form OF las victim is /
placed before lin. But am now GONZALES
cent, and VII soon be able TO say something
more about Our Common school SYSTEM
ounty Superintendent reports Mr.. Earle's .
" facts and figures and Oral Instructions. or
g word method" as taught n tire schools.
J j. WoopMAN.