Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-06-30
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tees OF the Public Schools action was taken
iraught with so seriOus consequences that
III demands the consideration of all inter
ested in the welfare of our public school
system. rule of the board, which has ex-
lsted from the earliest times, gives to each
sub board the power to nominates teachers
in their respective districts, subject to con-
nrmatfon by the general board. The reason
or the rule and iss propriety are very evil
Gent. The members OF the sub board are
supposed to visit the schools under their
charge frequently, and to understand the
qualifications OF the teachers, and they are
looked upon as responsible for the condition
OF the schools. That there NAV have been
cases In which personal friendship or sym.
pathy influenced them to retain teachers not
fully qualified is lot impossible. The weak
ness that would lead 10 this is at least ami
able. The change proposed was to amend
the rule so as TO require the nominations of
the sub hoard TO be referred to the committee
on teachers Tor revision, in order that that
committee mt ght weed out those considered
Incompetent The amendment was lost but,
nevertheless, the nominations were referred
by majority vote. II is to the result OF this
action that we call the attention of our rea l.
ers. The sub-boards, as appears from the
record OF the meeting, Immediately made
pro fOTna nominations of the entire list of
last year, and upon the committee then de-
vOlved the duty OF revising the list. 1t viii
oe seen at once that this relieved the -
boar,;s OF all responsibility. Let any name
be dropped, eacu member OF the suO-bO ards
can say. II demonstrated with, we are not
responsible; we nominated you, bat the com
4,
the committee? What superior know dge
have they? They represent the first iVo di,-
triets. II each OF them cannot be trusted fl
his own, where he may have some Knowledge,
how much more worthy % confidence will ~
prove voting In cases Of which he can have
none? They are open 10 anOny nous and ir
responsible complaint from all who haze
grievances, real or lmag tpaTy, and Who have
not the courage or fairness 10 lay them before
SUBJ BOARD which may know all the facts.
We know of hst such cases.
klvHf fFnnn hn a hot ~N..-
the opinion OF the superintendent. But IS
he infallibie? Is he-whOse visits 10 each
SCHOOL cannot average three quarters of
school day In year-to be the final aroiter
OF the dest'nies of more than two hundred
teachers? Is he more free from favoritism
or prejudice than the trustees? From small
beginnings these schools have advanced to
tnelr present condition, constantly increas-
Ing, not ouly in numbers, but IN efficiency
and all that gives value. This progress has
been made, not by violent changes or sudden
revolutions, but by steady, regular and
healthy development. 1t has been made
under teachers appointed and continued
under the old system, which has led them to
look upon trustees as their friends, ready to
aid them by advice, counsel aud encourage
ment, and when necessary by admonitfon
and repro0f. They have felt that while adel-
ity and efficiency would be followed by ap-
probation and promotion, neglect, inefi-
cheney or positive error would be plainly but
kindly reproved; and when a change was
believed to be necessary, that the reasons
would be frankly stated to them and their
feelings considered by giving them an op-
OF resigning. AS we have already
said, mistakes may have been made. but
the general result has been favorable The
sy stem has borne its fruits in that mutual
confidence between teachers and trustees
which DaS inspired those efforts which have.
proud.
But now 1t is proposed to change the entire
system. Instead OF imposing the duty of
making the recommendations upon the sub
holding a
wolves II upon committee, large majority
or whose members probably never even saw
tue teachers on whom they are to pass judg-
ment. Teachers are 10 be removed by those
WHO never gave them ADVICE, assistance or
and who in secret session may
listen 10 all The charges that malice can N
vent, and yet afford no opportunity for de-
feGse; all responsibility Is avoided. Chou
canst rot say did it," may be the reply OF
each member OF this secret tribunal when
demonstrated with for his action. II here
tOfOre trustees IN some cases IN ght have
retained friends in positions for which they
were poorly qualified, now they can with
lmpunity make room for friends by removing
teachers. The danger is greater
n this case than In the former, for Ia that
case "the crime carried its own punish
rnent," Dy imposing an additional burden or
care Il pom the trustee who retained an incOn-
peteLt teacher. In this IL brings reward
by bestowing patronage. Selfisnness could
be relied On 10 prevent the former evil from
running into excess, bnt IL encourages the
: " w a a.
moved under the old system might feel that
The act was inspired by 2 sense of duty to the
school, guided By a knowledge of its wants,
what can be his feelings, what the effect on
the morale of the entire corps, when after
} ears ofdiligeDt labor, during which ne has
been daily at his post even when bodily
temp ted 10 absence; ever fail hful-
though, perhaps, IL some respects deficient
1ne is removed by the vote of those VINO
court secresy, and when the scale may have
been turned by the ballot OF a trustee who
las not made even pretence of discharging
The duties he had sworn to perform, and from
Lhe beginning To the end of the year has neg
ected 10 visit even the schools under his Inn
mediate charge? Against the change now
lnaugurated we protest. 1t Is demanded by
1othing in the historysand present condition.
Of cur schools. 1t tends 10 Substitute, on the
part of the teacher, servility for indeDend-
.nce, terror for trust, harrasslng doubt for
friendly confidence, thus replacing the mo.
lives which inspire to cheerful and self
'acrificing effort by those which destroy self
respect and chill all enthusiasm. On the part
)f the trustee, In the place of manly frankness
and hrm discharge OF duty, 1t offers tempta.
lion To and opportunity for acting IN secret
and striking II the dark. II destroys indiyid-
lal responsibility, and substitutes the eva
siveness OF the star chamber. 1t puts an end
20 the division OF power, and that local GOV
under which our schools have
steadily improved, and In Its place estab-
lshes the most Objectionable form OF cen
raDzation by making the superintendent
he arbitrator In the case of hundreds of
eachers. 1t confers upon him an authority
hat cannot safely be entrusted TO any man;
Ind while he may protest that'he has no
oower, makes him practically omuipptentr
The people, who are most interested. how
eyer, will not fail to place the responsibility
where IL belongs, and those who have
watched the gradual absorption by one Of
deer, through the neglect or Indifference of
of a seemingly Irresponsible dictl-
.0rship, will not be deceived, and will join
N our protest.
1t is, perhaps, improper in q newspaper
article, and, at any rate, IL Is not intended
here 10 pass judgment upon the compe-
tency or incompetency of any of the mem
bers of the present corps OF teachers. Per-
soDal sympathy or reverence for any partic-
mar teacher should not be allowed to carry
any weight In the premises.-[ Republican.
TIE METROPOLIS SAVINGS BAHK.-II-
terest IS paid on all deposits made on or be-
fore the 81 Of each month. Board OF Direc-
tors:-Samuel Norment. Nicholas Acker,
James l.. Barbour, VIM. H. Clagett, Gaorge
x Thompson, John II. Goddard and B. H.
Warner. j. A. Run, cashier.