The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-10-15
To the People of Lehixhton.

Inasmuch rs the people of I.chighton see m
to be interested in finding out the reasons for
my resignation. and their curiosity found
vent In last weeks ADVOCATE, think 1t but
fair to all parties that 1 should give my rea-
sons for my actions, and also all the circum.
stances. This I shall do, giving the facts,
and let them please or dispiease whom they
may.
When I assumed the princlpalship OF your
public schools, at the opening the term, I
found that the Board of Directors had found
1t necessary to reduce the number of schools.
promoted, or rather transferred the highest
class Of the Grammar school to my room,
then the highest Of the Intermedla TO the
Grammar, and put the entire school, known
last year as secondary No. l, into the Inter
mediate, thus leaving but ono Secondary
This arrangement gave each teacher In the
buildirg three grades, except Miss hawk,
whose school was not affected by It, sup.
pose all know that her school, the lowest In
grade, was too large.
On Friday, September 3oth, tho Board Of
Directors met and passed the following reso-
luton:
Resoived, That the Grammar school be
tiate into tho Grammar, and so on through
all the gradts-thiS resolution to 20 into cf.
fect ON wednesday, October s, lSSl-the Prin-
cipal of the schools to see to its execution.
After careful consideration 1.-THE matter, /,
on Monday morning, October ed, sent the fol.
lowing letter to VIM. Rapsher, Esq:
LEHiaHToN, Pa, DOT. q, 1881.
To WM. RAPsHER. ESQ, Secretary Of Le.
hiShton school Board-DEAR SIR:-The
resolution Of the Board Of Directors, relating
to the promotion of the Grammar into the
High sehoOl, ETC., has received FULL and caro-.
iul consideration at my hands, and would
respectfully say that rs consider such pro-
motion to be prejudlcial to the interests of
the schools, cannot carry IL into effect as
provided for in the resolution, l shall be
ready TO meet the Board of Directors In n
special meeting this evening, II thy see it
and proper, and discuss the effect OF the car
ryins out Of the resolution, and also state
more FULLY my reasons for refusing to carry II
out. III. however, the Board declines to dis
cuss tho matter, or insists upon the execution
oil the resolution, shall deem 1t my duty TO
tender my resignation Inasnuch as I was
informed of the action of the Board through
you. their Secretary, l shall expect you to
advise them Of this communication so that l
may know as soon as possible, the wishes of
the Board. shall also thank you, to In form
me. II ain desired to attend O special meet.
ing. Respectfully,
JAMES krEyER, Principal.
To my letter as given above received the
following reply:
LEHIeHToN, Pa, Oct. 3, 1881.
Mr.. JAMES sKIEFER-DEAR SIR--Your let.
ter in relation to the resolution which Was
unanimously adopted by the Board, is at
hand, The advice OF teachers Is often neces-
sary and valuable, but In this case the Board
oil directors do not need 1t. We expect 20
control the schools. The resolution as adopt
ed must be carried into effect. If you cannot
Or00TA af wa tuill gaf
one VINO Will. Yours very truly,
W. Nd. RAPsHKR, Secretary.
/ have now given to tho public the CORES
pondence that passed between me and, as
suppose, the Board; but as ind, Mr Rap.
sher, previous to my resignation. i will now
give some Of my reasons for that step 1t is
always customary. whom any such important
changes are 10 be made in the schools of
borough. to at least discuss tho proposed no.
tion with the Principal OF the schools. In
this case, one man, taking counsel Of his own
wisdom (f) induced the other members Of the
Board OF Directors to pass the resolution
above referred to, without ary such previous
discussion. 1t was at the least, q marked
slight. But that Is a merely personal matter.
The act Of the Board took from my hands all
control oil the grading. Itis always the case
tha people blame the Principal for all troub.
les incident to promotions and grading. Al.
though the action Of the Board took from me
all control, 1t did not relieve me Of the re.
sponsibility. decline 20 be blamed for the
acts OF other men. had q small number Of
pupils in my school, It is true, but IL was not
the number OF pupils to which | objected.
The different grades cannot recite together,
and as had three grades In nv school, had
my time fully occupied. II would be utterly
impossible TO do Justice to the i've grades
that the school would contain AFTER such pro-
motion as contemplated by the resolution Of
September soth. The originator Of this
scheme seems to have overlooked the fact
that ths Principal Is also interested in the
success Of the schools, as we'll as the Board,
but seems to evince desire to treat him as q
mere hiTeling, who could be kicked about at
/ pleasure. declined to be connected with
the schools when l knew that the act OF the
Board made any reasonable degree Of success
immposSible. And now let me say that After
my resignation, 1 was unable to find that Mr.
Rapsher, previous to writing his Insulting
letter to me, consulted any other members OF
the Board of Directors. / would Just here
ask the citizens of LehIghton a question. IL
/ w. NJ. Rapsherth whole Board Of Directorsi
Is he really heartily in sympathy with econ
omy'or is he after popularity In conclusion,
! wish to say that tried faithfully to do my
duty 70 your schools, and as to my success, ]
am willing to be judged by all fair people.
feel confident that you will in future be OF
your watch to see that true economy Is prac
ticed, and that evolves In sleeps clothing
do not use the financial management Of your
distrlo. as means Of gaining popularity
Thanking my fellow teachers Tor their cour,
tion with the Schools and the people for thei
kind reception, remain, Respeeifully
: Aaueh chunk, Dot. II, 1851.