Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-08-16
School MATTERS.


and presented to tie School Board to induce
them TO re-empley MFR. Ray as Principal of our
High School, was started principally to coun-
teract the writer's supposed hostility to such
unemployment lsnce 1t Is proper that he
should say a few dds in explanation.
Before his schoo! closed, Mr.. Ray asked to
be hired as Principaltor three years at "a 900.
The Board promptly declined to hire. He then
wanted $l,4OO for year, which prop ,ition
was also rejected. Finally he offered 20 serve
for 200.
During the interviews, Mr. Ray said he had
been offered 81 500 TO teach h Sterling The
writer doubted this, on account of the improb.
ability of his refusing $3.50 70 accept $1,000.
Besides. when Mr.. Ray took our school last
year, he told here, that he leG ST. ,Josephs on
account of his health; and !, told at St. Jo
that he came here bccausewe offered him
more wages.
Briefly stated, the reasons Why the writer did
not favor the re-cmploymento Mr.. Ray, are as
follows, First, after careful investigation as
to his educational acquircments, he does not
believe Mr.. Ray properly qlihcd to I'LL the
position of principal of our High School. Sec
ondy, he seriously doubts lss truthfulness and
integrity.
Notwithstanding his estimate of Mr.. Ray, the
writer was so fully convinced, ,f his inability to
pass the ordeal, that, in view,of the aforesaid
petition, he consented to the firing of Mr. Ray,
at 81, 200, provided he shoun exhibit proper
certificates of qualification. sr pass the nee
essary examination required by the High
School law. AS was expected, these condi-
tons induced Mr.. Ray to seek appointment
elsewhere, and relieved the Board of his can
didacy. The Board is now al liberty togct the
best man to be Principal OF our High School
available for the money at their command.
! From an interview with every teacher that
taught in our public schools last yea. save two,
the writer failed to find one thatcommcnded
Mr., Ray, either as principal or Teacher. To
them, he seemed more intent o, catching pop
ular applause, by questionable means, than ad
vancing the scholars by honesschool work,
Thus, three literary socishcs were formed
their exercises were made TO usurp the time
needed for ordinar, school work, and were cal
culated to foster superiiclalisy and dishonesty
in the pupils, by inducing them TO attempt
subjects wholly beyond their capacities; and
all this to tickle the vanity ofthc parents whose
| children were prominently shown off, while in
directly improving his eXchequer by manipu.
latug the proceeds of The society entertain
mcnts. His eXchequer was further improved
by small sums realized from transactions ii
school books, and by 40, which he took from
his scholars for badly worn, and comparative
ly worthless copy of a cyelopedla, which h
knew was antiquated and saperceded by nev
edition.
These facts are deemed sufficient explana
ton of the writer's not favoring Mr.. Rays re
appointment.
| In hiring teachers, from Principal down, The
writer believes that School Boards should hire
only the very best obtainable for the money a.
their disposal. Other things being equal, pref
erenee should doubtless 10 given to home
teachers, but the matter n qualification an,
fitness should be paramount. Nothing shor
of this will satisfy the just demands of the la,
payers who foot the bills. To secure suel
teachers there is no better method than that o
competitive examinations, uniting both ora
and written exercises
In conclusion the writer will only say that ht
hopes to see our public schools brought to ih,
highest degree of efficiency, so that there shal
be no other occasion for private schools 70
children than the qualification Of n feeling o
caste or the PRONUNCIATION Of sectarian dogmas
To assist in so desirable consummaton is The
desire and p .rpose of
G. ID. w.