Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1878-10-31

1 ettNHC Tue .fE&t4 "a A4EAEH1sE 914AA 49,
buttons, and noticing the svssiseness
and utter imposaibiIity Of Capt. Thomas
10 YeIute the charges brought against
the school authorifies--his failure even
TO deny SOME will claim but 4 brief
space in your columns to reply % his
card Of the 18th inst, INDUCING myself
| IN the fond belief that have discharged
my duty to myself. 10 the ai-nsedteaeh-
ers and to the community ii large, With
the single exception Of the removal Of
| the school authorities.
The consummation Of this purpose, If
they still continue obstinate, waits upon
time and I congratulate the unfortunate
upon the fact that the means are still
equal TO the ends we have in view. /
will, therefore, notice q few points in
the Captains last card, coupling there
with some statements which wish to
bring before the public, and then for
ever discontinue this controversy.
Mr. Examiner processes 10 have aI-
ways regarded the wishes Of The trus-
tees. OF this fact know little except
what / have been told by the trustees
themselves and their complaints 70 me
are diametrically opposed 10 the Exam
inef's statement. They insist that good
teachers have been OWsfed and inferior
ones substituted contrary TO their wishes,
and desired 10 know, IL they refused 20
sign said substitutes report, coulft
salary be drawns Ireplied thought
il likely that, if Capt. Thomas recon-
mended the payment Of salary, even
though the report was not signed By
trustees, that The School Board would
accede to his proposition. / stated that
such had been the case.
The Captain would not be thought
guilty of the bad taste of being ''not on
good terms with Prof. Newell" When
be was first appointed to the position
which he now holds, he asserted as
much in the presence OF several. and
further pronounced the holding OF To-
ytitutes OF no utilIty-as a waste oftime
and money.
But when the Institute OF last year
was held in Leonardiown our Examiner
and Superintendent were frequently
closeted at Moore's Hotel where they
received their guests. From little con-
versation here, which made its way to
the social ear, was induced to believe
that this skrecd and ingenious politi-
clan had discovered the Captains Teak
points and that they would ever be
friends afterwards, experience refusing
to allow me to doubt it.
have no objection, so far as am
concerned, that the graduates of the
State Normal School should be employ
ed as teachers IN our county, but do
object to this Institution being hill up
and maintained at the sacrifice Of old
and tried teachers, when, in few years,
we will have collegiates of our own
county who would be glad Of the posi-
ton OF primary school teacher.
This was the only point raised in the
second meeting in Leonardtown that
Capt. Thomas noticed; therefore | must
be permitted to believe the shoe fits.
otherwise he would not have worn it.
After much hesitation and month or
more to consider the matter in, Mr.. Ex-
aminer is quite sure that the School
Board will allow such publicity TO be
made OF examination papers as wall for
ever set at rest all doubts as to the JUS
flee and prOPriety Of the action of the
School Boad.
have never commended that ! took
my certificate at the late examination,
but will prove, as have already done,
partially, .farorifisns, Preudice-Prove
upon the face OF my papers that am en-
titled to a higher percentage on some
branches than what received.
make these allegations tn full that
the school authorities may not be taken
by surprise. and suggest one gentleman
OF scholastic .attainments be selected by
the school authorities, one by myself,
the two TO choose a third, 10 constitute
a tribunal before which we are TO APP
pear personally and whose decision shall
be satisfactory and final.
Capt. Thomas must consent tcrequest,
jointly with me, the attendance Of par
ties whose opinions and evidence will
be of importance in determining the re-
suit, and since he has all the papers in
his possession and will enter the arena
with every advantage, am sure he viii
not deny me request so reasonable.
/ will state in this connection that |
attended the last examination held IN
Leonardtown on the 4th instant for the
purpose ostensibly Of raising my per-
centage, but secretly to make such a
percentage on the End grade branches,
as added TO my percentage on 1st grade
branches, would entitle me to 4 1st
grade certificate.
You may readily see in this the alb
surdity of the Examiners mode for
casting up percentage. The school law
lays down certain branches upon which
the LIST and 2nd grade candidates must
pass.
Now. is there any reason why candi-
dates for LIST grade certificates should
pass harder examination on 2nd grade
branches than applicants for 2nd grade
certificates: The school authorities are
called upon TO decide whether an appli-
cant Is competent or Is not comPefenf to
teach q certain branch of knowledge.
The law requires an examination on
certain branches for End grade certifi-
Gates and on certain additional branches
for LIST grade.
Is il then right. just or reasonable
that one set Of men be required to pass
an examination on certain branches
with questions involving little difficulty
in the answers and q low standard