The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-08
MIR. RIDDLE AND HIS BOOK.
uHIT THE BOIRD or EDUCI TION HAVE
OSiY IBOUT THE PUBLICI TON

TOSiY 1BOUT TIE PUBLICATION
Rent.ing 20 eau for Mr.. Riddles Resienn-
ton or TO give him Leave OF Absence TO
Rest Trailing the whole Matter Dues
tioning whether lie is not Overworltcd.
The anticipation that Superintendent
Klilcs conversion to spiritualism would bo n
eut,o,t " discussion at the regular meeting OF
tn, Board " Education. yesterday afternoon.
had the ofTcct Of attracting an unusually largo
number of auditors for the Commissioners
b fore the hour Of meeting. n majority OF tho
members individually expressed hope that tho
matter would not 10 broachcd at all, but the
minority were determined not TO let il pass UNI
noticed. and President Wood said in CONVERSE
ton. That II nobody else brought it up he would
Commissioner Watson offered the following:
Wi.i. II has come the know ledge Of the Board that
H,nry Middle, Esq, city superintendent after many
wears ct honorable service IN positions OF commanding
inauorco IN the Department Of Public Instruction in this
civ has recently edited aud published for general circu
laton a book entitled spiritual Commune uons," vt
seh character tends to impair his influence In THIS
community and To discrcdit his oilice, therefore,
R,slr,i That in the opinion OF this Board it has be.
come the plain duty Of Mr. Riddle to remove from IL
further cml arrasmcnt In the premises by forthwith re.
,rrins bis office as CITY superintendent
Commissioner Wickham Immediately moved
10 lay the preamble and resolution upon the
table. and called for the yeas and nays upon his
notion
Commissioner Watson protested against de-
bate being go summary cut of. but in vain.
The motion was submitted. and the vote upon II
resulted -Beardslcy. Cohen. Donnelly.
Jane. Katzenbcrg Kelly. Moriarty. Place.
fraud Vermilye. West wetmore. wickham.
Nays-Hastcd Manierre. Walker. Watson.
Wheeler tho President. Yeas. 10; nays. G.
Commissioner Walker instantly offered the
following:
Fss,'i mat Henry Kiadle ESQ, City Superintendent
have 81 shucc for the period OF six months IRON this
R.isL Haiti be referred 10 tie Bylaw Committee to
Ahc ,uc II any are nccessary as VIII suthor
serce Disability OF any incumbent thereof
Commissioner Walker. in support Of his reso-
lutions. spoke rs follows: " 1t is said by Mr..
Jclirc that 1t is undienined for this Board to
discuss this matter at present; that we shou "A
wait until matters are quieter than at the pres
ent time"
Commissioner JelliHe i desire to make
correction, simply that l said nothing of the
Commissloner walker-well. perhaps was
mistaken. do not intend TO discuss the merits
oil this whole subject at all. do not think 1t
minds upon 1t and may not have not had an
opportunity to confer with many members on
very simple matter that is before us. and. taking
1t simply as aquestion OF proper action, We need
thing further than to agree upon this point.
and believe we can agree. There IL
evidence before this Board and before tho
community. that Mr.. Riddle must have over
worked himself and needs rest No one can
arise from the perusal Of his book who knows
Mr.. klddle. without coming TO the conclusion
that there is a degree Of mental disturbance
there which requires relief. Relief and rest
may restore him 10 his normal condition. We
know him and respect him. He has been an
oyerworked man for many long years. tits not
from the peruirio habit OF dong more work
than is imposed upon them by their obligations
e. the Board. ana more than they can do In JUS
tce to themselves. Professors in the College
and teachers in the schools have gone into
larger occupation. outside the limo Of their
duties. more than give them. until some
Of them have broken down. aud many
OF them are liable TO break down. Two
weeks ago one Of our best instructors
in the college died in the lunatic asylum at Utica.
A year ago another OF the professors went into
1t does seem to me inevitable that this con-
clusion must be reached by any ono OF
ali of us that such il Mr.. Riddles case.
That logical man should be so Illogical that
an intellieent MN should deem himse . under
ing at them with all charity, can see are nothing
more than mere platitudes such AS We hear con-
stantly from old and new converts To that
belief over and over again in all shapes
and ways certainly shows such disturbance
Clearly that t he needs rest Rest viii bring re.
hef. and in six months from now we may have
OF his office. that ne has heretofore discharged
In manner so accountable to Us all; In regard
any power in the Board. at the present time, TO
appoint deputy SUPERINTENDENT or assistant
Or acting deputy, 10 take charge OF the office
during the disability or absence OF the SUI
p"rntendent but that Is a matter we can
easily arrange. As TO the salary | think We
ar willing TO pay that. as. indeed. from my
Wow OF the law we would DO required Ia do. as
tho Superintendent, while he is ~ once. Is en-
tted TO his compe nsation. whether he work.
or not.
Commissioner Watson said: " I am impressed
with the seriousness Of this subject. and It's un'
n n Il | know
intendent has friend in every member Of this
Board. The resolution was not drawn becaus,
il WAS an agreeable affair. II was drawn in tbs
least offensive manner possible II in no way
raises any religious questions. II simply 4
worded under tho language OF the law, and calf
in question the propricty OF such publication
under such crcumstancesi 10y such an officer
Riddle in, as favorable light as h'
light as this Board should be placed. in hi,
time Of newspaper publicity and public inquiry
should be not only freely and fully discusseC
by this Board, but every latitude and opportu
heard in his own defence. think il is verl
unfortunate movement 10 record this Board a.
saying that. while the community is vocal al
around us. We are 10 sit In mute silence upon
subject that so nearly concerns their Interests
and their duties. DO not fully approve Of th'
conditions contained In Commissioner Walker
resolutions. i think the subject is one nov
necessarily before the Board and there
fore. hope II Will be unanimously consented
70 that this whole sublect-the resolutions
OF Commissioners Walker, and those laid O
the table-he referred 10 suecial committee 10 b.
appointed 10 consider this subject and 10 repor
on IL at some future time, not later than tn
next stated meeting ot this Board. / do no
think my friend Mr.. Kildle desires to nice
this question in the form proposed by Commits
s!oner Walkers resolutions. Before lresentini
my resolutions | saw Mr.. Riddle and told hin
frankly what was intended TO be done, and b.
met It Ia a straightforward manly way, and b.
only seemed to consider that il II must come h
should have m opportunity 70 meet It man
fashion. lace TO face, and that seems 10 me m
only proper way TO deal with this subject. Leav
II in such way that he can have an opportunit
60 be heard to his hearts content. ], Therefore
ask unanimous consent that special commit
too OF five be- appointed by tho Chair. - whom
shall be- referred the resolutions OF Commits
sioner Walker and that those laid upon th
table be taken up and also referred 10 that com
mittee.'
Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion
and said; The whole matter Is very painful
an1 embarrassing one. II ~ not easy 10 kno'
what TO do with II. anu ! have no desire 1
touch il. | would say. not simply In relercnc
TO this matter. but in reference TO others whic
come within the consideration OF this BOnro
that do think the system in force in this cit
in our schools that OF competition and emua
tiOn has been carried too far. We carry to