Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-06-30

to the condition OF the schools under
Mr.. Pickett's superintendency. l was
a member of the corps Of teachers for
the first year OF the present administTa.
ton. was, perhaps, the first one OF
the teachers who made his personal &C
quaintance, and have since held none
but the kindest feelings toward him.
did not like the manner or the fact Of his
election, and think still that the school
board committed q fatal blunder when
they ignored the claims Of 80 many
able and learned scholars Of our
own city and State, to send any
where, be il to England,
Ireland, Scotland or France for a sd
pertinent Of Memphis schools. But, as
the lawyers say, this is not strictly "geT-
name TO the case.n | am making no at
tack upon Mr.. Pickett. The point, how
ever, to which I wish your attention is
the fact now patent to all, who will
take a moments thought upon the
subject, that Mr.. Pickett's sdmiristra.
ton has not been attended with the ben
eficiaI results which attended that of his
predecessor. And what are the evil
dences? An almost universal dissatis-
faction upon the part of teachers with
what they rightly judged vague and
indefinite course Of study; a laxness or
loOseness on his part in the enforcement
of rules IA strong contrast to his prede-
cessor in this regard; q very visible fall
ing Offin the enthusiasm and interest Of
parents and pupils; latitude allowed to
teachers in examinations, not consistent
with the advancement OF their pupils,
and leading to q desire for high'averages
instead OF high excellence. Ali these
things have necessarily led to careless
ness or lisigessness upon the part of
many. and while it had no effect upon
the great majority of the corps (whO,
believe, would discharge their duty as
well without as with superintendent,
yet the influence could not fail to make
itself felt, as "a little leaven leaveneth
q whole lump.n There may be some to
deny this statement, and therefore, in
order to convince even the most stub
born, it is only necessary to refer to that
organization known as the Teachers as
ISOLATION. This body met once month
under Mr.. Slaughter's administration,
to discuss questions connect
ed with the public school sys-
tenn and bearing on the teachers
profession. twas productive to myself,
among many others, of much practical
benefit. Under Mr.. Pickett this body
met once a week, was converted into
sort OF school, which was instructed in
all manner OF theories, very interesting
| admit, but for the most part impracti-
cable and useless. These are also facts
which admit of proof. In conclusion,
Messrs. Editors, is it fair that you should
be so hard upon Mr.. Slaughter, when it
is thus capable OF proof that be per-
formed the same duties now performed
by Mr., Pickett with a devotion to the
interests OF the Taxpayers and al adhe-
renee to the "Tuie5 OF the board" which
grew into a proverb among the teachers,
for salary less by one thousand dol
lars than the latter receives? Spare
your wrath and rhetoric" then, for
those who deserve an infection Of both,
and do not visit undeserved injustice
upon man who, whatever be his faults,
can certainly point to his career as SUI
perintendent with pardOnable pride,
marked, as it was TO my certain knowl-
edge, by an earnest and faithful dis
its best fruits in the proud position at
tanned by the schools during his term.
l have had no communication with Mr..
Slaughter, and am urged, as / stated in
the beginning, simply by desire to see
"justice done tho the heavens fall"
WI. FOUTE.
Mechanics for California.
EDITORS APPEAL-For many long
and weary months have the poor me-
chsnics and workingmen of Memphis
and the surrounding country striven
very hard, in every way they could
think of, to exc out the very scantiest
and common living, but alas, in vain.
Their sufferiugs have been very great,
and are becoming still worse, and the
prospect is anything but cheering-th9
future most gloomy. Little, indeed, is
known of their sufferings. They are
proud IS well as poor. They ask not
charity, but work, and to render an
equivalent Tor all they get, but no re-
gard is paid to them nor their sufferings,
and now many OF them are resolved to
get away from this part of the country
and to go somewhere where they may
better their condition to some extent, at
least. They have been told on what
seems good authority that they can do
better in California, and that they may
fix upon some plan of union among
themselves, and by writing to friends
there, binding themselves to do some
work there in California, in order to de-
fray in part their expenses in getting
there, that they can get there easily
enough without fail, and get assistance
and a hearty welcome when there.
And, gentlemen, few kindly words
through your excellent paper, which
has always been friendly to working
men, and which has always been a
chosen channel to them through which |
to convey their thoughts to the public |
and to the world, few lines and sug-
gestions from you will be of great serv. |
ice TO, and will be gratefully received |
and appreciated by them.
MECHANIC.
Aa InVitatIGn.
EDITORS APPEAL-I am hereby re- |
quested by the leading members Of our |
society, the Union Star association No. |
l, to issue q special invitation to our |
white friends of the city to honor us by |
coming out and delivering an address |
for us. We want General Forrest, DR.. |
BatemsD, esquire Miller, and all those |
patriotic heroes. Those are the kind of |
men we want. The public is also |
especially invited. No pains nor labor |
has been spared to make it the barbecue |
of the season, to be given July s, 1875. |
We are also requested to say that sep |
arate table will be set for the white peO-
pie. The barbecue will be given just |
beyond the old race track, on the old
road, just beyond the first
bridge after passing the Tace-track,
about one mile from Court square. We |
wish the white people TO come, and dis
cuss the questions Of the hour with US
on that occasion, to the end that we
may be more thoroughly informed, and |
that we may the more perfectly under
stand our relative condition.
CARTER JOHNSON, President,