Daily globe., 1879-06-01
NUMBER 1873
SCHOOL RULES.
Another Protest Against the Plan OF
Making Excuses.

SCHOOL RULES.
Another Protest Against the Plan Of
Making Excuses.
To the Editor of the Globe.
read with interest the communication Of
"Veritas" in Sunday mornings GLOBE IN
regard to certain arbitrary rules of the
board of educatirn of this city, and also the
answer of Prof. Wright the superintendent
of public schools, in your issue of the 9th.
The rule complained of, is certainly arbi-
Itrary and q hardship not only to the children
attending the public schools, but also to their
parents or guardians, end think ''Veritas''
is very mild in his remarks on the subject,
as all the change he seems to desire or ask,
is to have more discretionary power in the
hands of the principals of the seAeral
schools. But will go further and say that
the rule requiring parents and guardians to
specify the particular cause or reason the
child under their charge did not attend
school at certain times, and should the
reasons given not be that the absence was
caused by sickness, danger of sickness or
death in the family, the teacher through, the
principal, shall give notice of suspension &c,
is arbitray in the extreme. The parent or
guardian under this rule not allowed to re-
turn the pupil from school without forfeiture
of school privileges, unless he explains his pri-
vate affairs to the superintendent, which
most persons do not desire to do. and as for
myself, I will not. ~.
examined carefully the explanation of
Prof. Wright, with the expectation of finding
some good and plausible reason for the en-
! forcement of these rules, but what do I see?
He starts out by saying that ssthe rule refer
red to is neither new nor unduly severe In
its operations" He gives the rule and says
| sit stands as it has for years, except that
dismissals and tardiness are counted as
! absences in its application, &C., but gives no
reason why the rule is good one, or that
it is not arbitrary nor injurious in its work
ings, though he certainly endeavors to convey
the idea that it must be good rule and
almost indispensable, because it or a similar
rule has been adopted in Cincinnati,
Fort Wayne and Minneapolis, and
because these cities unfortunately placs
upon their records such unwholesome rules,
and in by-gone days the st. Paul board of
education had copied them must it follow
that the present regime shall stand by and
uphold them, except to add more stringent
measures, in fact the very ones which give
the greatest dissatisfaction.
IL ur1J NO very ulCo 1OI w IlRuC 10 SlE
one hour each half day in his Office to re-
ceive promises of good behavior and punctu-
Iality by parents for their children, but it Is
not so agreeable for the parent who needs
his child at home, to be compelled to explain
all this or compelled to lose his time or sac
rifce his business in order to do it.
The arguments pat forth by Mr.. Wright
are no more convincing, that the rule is not
pernicious one, than it would be were he to
;; say that because some well reputed teacher
J from Cincinnati, Fort Wayne and Mime
} apolis had made application to be-
: come principal in one of our schools
S and that he, Mr.. Wright, had engaged him as
g such principal because of the high endorse
f ments as to his governmental ability and
, scholastic attainments, but after due trial
. and sad experiece it was found said teacher
< could not command the love of his pupils OF
g even the respect and good will of subordinate
). teachers. Must the superb intendent or board
still continue him in place, because forsooth
! he was recommended by one or all of the
places mentioned I? And were he thus re-
e tanned, even against the remonstrances o1
q those most interested In the schools, would
e it not be considered arbitrary and injuriousi
J. A case of this kind is just as applicable AZ
3 3 the retention and enforcement of the obno1
: ious rules complained of.
y ), Our motto should be ssonward" and on,
d watchword progress y especially in our ed.
ucational interests and we should not be
! content short of having the bes
brains in the management thereof
: Our superintendent is undoubtedly qualifet
to fill the position he holds, and if we have
!. not principals equally qualified to fill tn
IS position they hold, or discernment and dis
le cretion sufficient to determine ali matters re-
q. lating to the attendance or absence of the
q pupils under their charge then let them b
o discharged and others substituted. ~
:. Not to be behind s'Veritas,' . tor even tn
n sup rintendent, i, too, call upon all lovers o
reformand good schools to uphold, whole
= some, advantageous and progressive rules
. but let them conflict with the true interest,
:. Of our citizens as little as possible, and no
u u be the cause of jast complaint only to SUI
70 :; the will of one, of our employees, or to carr
At out certain ideas begotten in other cities.
id Yours, etc., NUDH VEBN
r, st. Paul, May 29th, 1879.