, 1875-09-05
THE sUPERrN rENDENT OF PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.

The Mayor has uttered threats Of removal
against Mr P1cKARD, the Superintendent OF
our CITY Schools. That this should arouse
widespread indignation viii not surprise those
who know the pride which the citizens OF
Chicago take in it's Public Schools, and the
share which Mr.. P1cKARD has had in advanc-
inR them to their present position. The
threat may be impotent; it may foil OF pres
ent result it may seem to do little but re-
veal the character Of him who was weak
enough to utter it. Yet, like all straws, it
has its significance, in showing which way
the wind is beginning to blow in certain
ouarters. It is Of i'll omen. It forebodes an
attempt to subject the Public Schools
to partisan influences. It brings
possible danger to the lower depart
ments of the system Of public instruction
which has hitherto menaced injuriously the
highest departments. We refer to the politi-
cal manipulation Of the State Universities in
neighboring States, by reason Of which the
Presidency and Professorships Of those insh-
tutions have been held by the most uncertain
tenure,-a fact which has lost them many
valuable men, has multiplied enemies, and
has chilled the zeal Of friends, casting doubt
upon the value and stability Of the system
itself. This, of course, aids the assaults up
on public education by the Roulish ecclesias-
tics,-assau1ts which are destined to be more
vigorously made, and more frequently re-
peated, as the forces which these ecclesiashcs
WELD shall be more thoroughly in hand.
The dismissal Of Mr. P1oKARD, should it
by any possibility be accomplished, would be
threefold-mjustice to Mr. PICARD, to the
city, and to the profession Of teaching. Mr.
P1cKARp is now in the eleventh year Of his
valuable services to the city. This fact is
itself q certificate Of character and capacity !;
for the Board of Education has conducted
our city educational atfairs with an insistence
on high order Of merit in all officers and
appointees which has secured to it no ordi-
nary body Of men That fact, moreover, has
directed attention to their teachers and Super
| intendent from abroad, and led to numerous
efforts to secure them for other posts. It
| would be poor reward to MIR. P1cKAnD for
| adhering in past years to his position in Chi
cago, and resisting temptation to go else.
where. to make him now the football OF
partisan dislike. s'But lie has been
in the position long enough" our Mayor
| is reported to have said. One would hardly
so speak of valued servant in private bust.
ness No wholesale merchant In Chicago
| would give as a reason for dismissing capa
BILE and faithful confidential clerk or agent
He has had the place long enough" Tha
he had served for ten years with industry ane
sagncity, might be an excellent reason fo'
promoting him to a partnership, and glvlnE
him profitable share in the business bu
not for sending him adrift to seek new posi-
ton. We claim for Mr. P1oKARD no measure
OF favoritism Let him be judged by hl
work. If he has nobly administered on
schools, in the true spirit OF his office
if he has brought ripe experience
to hear upon their varied intarests
it be has stimulated teachers ant
scholars to aim at more perfect results; II b
has infused veritable Esprit DE- co7.ps into tn
whole service and il our schools will bea
comparison with those Of any other city,
then let him have the opportunity Of doin
the same good work for another ten year,
/ It is but simple Justice to faithful publ
servant.
But the proposition Of a change is unjuz
also to the interests Of the city. These al
promoted BY steady msnagement, under e,
perienced officers. Changes in adninistr,
ton, made for eztraneons reasons, ara a
wnys preiudicial Our bsst-tnAnAged bank