The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-03-30
THE SCHOOL ELECTION.

The controversy going on between
two factions, the friends and opposers of
Professor King, city superintendent of
our public schools, has provoked some
bitter personalities in newspaper corre- /
spondence during the past two weeks. |
Many statements, pro and con, have |
been made by either party, and the pub
lie is not more enlightened than when
the war of words began.
Mr.. Morgan, who has for some time
been the very efficient chairman of the
Board of Directors for District No. l, is
charged with many things too trivial to
be taken into serious consideration,
even if clearly proven to have occurred,
while Mr.. King is assailed with bit
terness and unfairness that seems to-
tally unjustiiable. One thing is GER
tain, and appears to be conceded by all,
that however these officers may have
failed oplease, or provoked indignation
in minor matters, the public schools of
Portland have attained their present
proud standing under their guidance.
If any person will take the trouble to
make tour of inspection through the
public school buildings of the city to-
day, he will find neatness, quiet, COM
fort, and regularity and thoroughness
of work which cannot fail to convince
him that there is steady hand on the
helm, and a tireless vigilance at the
head of affairs. The chaos and confu-
sion which obtained in the public
schools a few years ago, have given
place to order and discipline; the
grounds and buildings then presenting
ashabby and neglected appearance, now
show evidences of care; the out-houses
and fences now present clean and un-
marked surfaces, where, under the old
system, charcoal frescoes and penciled
Obscenities offended the eye and shocked
the sense of decency. In short, Mr..
King has shown himself, so far as we
can discover, an earnest and industrious
servant of the district, and Mr.. Morgan
a friend alike of teachers and pupils, and
an honest, pains-taking member of the
school board
The present corps of teachers, from
Professor Anderson, the scholarly and
efficient principal of the High School
down through all the various grades
well understand and industriously per.
form their important duties, and are de.
serving of all praise.
One thing is apparent to all careful
observers, and that is that opponents o.
free schools in general and our High
School in particular, Catholics, anC
others who patrOnize exclusive schools
are a unit in favor of displacing Mr.
Morgan, and this fact is surely signif
cant and suggestive enough to cause tht
friends of free education to consider be
fore they vote.
We have but one growl to make, anC
that is concerning the meagerness Of tn,
salaries given to some of the hard
worked and responsible women teach
ers. There should be an equitable ad
justment of the salary question; teach
ers should be paid according to their la
Dor instead of their sex, and sufficien
number employed to relieve some q
: the overcrowded rooms. This latte
Will doubtless be provided for before tn
fall term begins, but the former, th
equal pay for equal work will, we fear
not obtain, until some competent, just
and energetic aOOnlan is elected a mem
Der of the school board. This we woul
vastly prefer to the reelection of Nj
Morgan, but as there is at present n
chance for its realization, we dout
whether our citizens can do better tha
to retain this gentleman.