Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-06-12

part IN TINS prosecution, or persecution, are
plainly incapable Of using the English Ian
guage correctly in conversation, and are
therefore manifestly open to suspicion in
regard to composition and spelling. Edu-
Gated men are of course aware that bad
spelling or even ur grammatical compost
tion is by no means necessarily proof OF
detective culture. Many very learned men
have written and spelled ungrammatically,
and the percentage of those who have re-
eeived more than an average education, yet
are unable to compose fiuently, would
probably surprise these hypercritieai inves-
tigators.
We Go not know whether or not Mr..
Mcdonald is competent teacher of gram
mar and arithmetic. but we do know that
it would be an outrage to convict him of
incompetence upon such testimony as has
been adduced in this case. The Board,
however, has placed itself in false and
very difficult position by its imprudence in
consenting to this absurd and inequitable
inquiry. It is about to elect teachers, and
no matter what profession of impartiality
it may make, it will be impossible to be.
lieve that it has not been influenced by
the present proceedings, should it remove
Mr. Mcdonald. 1t has thus done all in
its power to discredit him as teacher,
and so to make his retention incompatible
with the maintenance of proper discipline
in the Grammar School and at the same
time it has so entangled itself that it can
not in justice dismiss him, because to
do so would only be TO indorse
the monstrous trsvesty OF an in
vestigation which is now discrediting
this community. The Board has no
excuse for the course it has pursued in the
matter, moreover, for it was pointed out
long ago that no possible good could result
from such loose and irresponsible inquiry.
It has gone on from bad to worse, in de-
Gance of remonstrance and advice, tanning
the flames of partisanship higher all the
time by its feeble and indecisive action, adj
rnitting the most inconsequentiaf and un-
justitiable attacksupon the aecused, lending
Fictitious importance TO charges and state
ments so utterly wanting in evidential
value that they would have fallen of their
own weight if let alone, and generally
-, I.;,r, 80, F,,o;o,, x.-orso o,,, fox,Jol -, III
directions. 1t is now more clear than
ever that the investigation is failure,
and that its only issue has been the
display of great deal of mean malice,
petty jealousy, i'll nature, and stupidity
No Court of Judge Lynch has ever
so defiantly ignored all the laws of
evidence, or has shown itself more incapa-
bic Of distinguishing what was admissible
testimony and what was not. No possible
good can result from such an ill-managed
and improper inquest. 1t is impossible to
tell, from anything that has been brought
forward, whether Mr.. Mcdonald is COM
petent or an incompetent teacher. It does
not facilitate the determination of this
question to ascertain that there are a num-
Der of impulsive and illogical people who
are DESTROYS of ousting him without regard
to evidence, and who are willing to call
any absurdity evidence if it makes for
their view of the case. What is demanded
is justice, and this is not the way to get
it. If Mr.. Mcdonald Is to be removed, it
viii have to be insisted upon firmly that
the proofs of his incapaoity be established.
Otherwise his dismissal would be shame
full and most discreditable act Of persecu-
ton and injustice.