The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1881-01-21
COMMTNTCATTONs.
Those ssspeIIfug Mafch- Prizes Again


/ Those 'sspeIIing Match" Prizes Again.
| EDITOR FREEMAN-In your last issue Ger
tain W. A Watkins, in quiet, innocent and
most dignifed manner, disposes of the book
awards at theilate Teachers Institute to his
own satisfaction at least. l was also inclined
to be satisfied with it until l learned that
your correspondent was an eloquent preach
er of a gOspeI-a shepherd of a flock. Then
] concluded that the distribution of CarbIed
literature was at all times part OF his busi-
ness, and that the present instance is but one
evidence that MS desires and abilities are not
circumscribed by parochiai limits, and that
he is impressed with the Importance of that
gospel which refers to the sheep which hs
must bring into the fold. Hence he goes
about scattering crumbs Of comfort to his
own in his Westinghouse when others fail
and to all when occasion offers, even though
to make the occasion be must intrude upon
a decorous Teachers Institute.
He is sorry, / presume, that by Offering
such prizes Mr.. Berg was placed in an awk-
ward position otherwise he would not have
assumed the responsibility. He does not,
however, intimate that be himself is sorry
OF even feels in the slightest degree the gra-
tuitOus insult offered to many of the teach
eTs. Does the knowledge that the objection
able offer was made by Mr.. Berg az the
suggestion of q JOhnstown preacher less ef-
fectjvely point the affront? l should think
it was an aggravating circumstance. Yet no
word of regret is expressed for an affront he
would have us believe was unintentionally
offered Can it be that his interest in the
distribution of Carbled and falsifed history
is so intense that it has blinded him to the
amenities of society, or made him deaf to
the suggestions OF good breeding? An in
suit always demands an apology, and an apOl-
ogy for an unintentiOnal insult can always
be gracefully made and graciously accepted.
From my reading of his communication to
the Freeman | would Judge that Watkins
made catspaw of the County SuperinteHd-
ent in throwing the chestnuts into the FIRE,
{ and that Mr.. Berg burnt his fingers IN draw
ing them out.
The plea that no thought was taken of the
religious complexion OF the works avals him
nothing. a man of Mr.. Watkins supposed
reading knows that in selecting works for dis
irritation in mixed assembly the greatest
care should be taken This is especially true
of works relating to the Middle Ages, as near
ly all Of them bear the marks of the interest
/ and prejudice Of the writers. Hence it was
AT insult to offer works relating to that peri
/ od as rewards to an assembly of persons Of
! different creeds without being satisfied as to
4 their unOhiectionable character.
/ The knowledge that Protestant preacher
/ and not the County Superintendent selected
/ the awards goes but short way in excusing
I the act There are none OF our public insti-
tntiOns looked upon with such dlStTust or
guarded with such jealous care by our church
/ going people as the public schools. EngTaft-
ed as they are on the orgauicilaw Of our COM
! monwe2lth, they must be accepted and main
/ tanned as a means for the diffusion of secu-
/ lar knowledge religion being OStracised from
/ among the branches taught therein. Let a III,
/ then, mix amicably and during the school
1 hour study their a, =, C's, their arithmetic
I and geography without any religious refer
( ence or preference. This is what the people
I are guaranteed by the law that established
( and perpetuates the school system. What
/ then must be the surprise and disgust of
those really interested in the schools when
they cannot attend the sessions Of an Insti-
( TUE without noting here the white chOker,
. the broad tails OF the clerical coat Tapping
( behind the throne on which sits the embodi-
meut Of the dignity Of the school system
Ii is more, Mir. Editor, than mixed commu-
I nifty should be expected TO bear.
The offenSe as committed, and for which
/ Mr. Berg is alone responsible, is not so grave
but what il may be c0ndoned, but did we al
/ low Mr. Watkins his say without comment
his time, he might go step farther and Of
/ fer the next Institute ''Clark's Commenta-
[ ries'' OF "FOx's Book OF Martyrs
The last but by no means the least of the
/ practical conclusions of the Institute might
/ have been woTded thus
Rcs0Irsd, That while Rev. Watkins may
/ acceptably preside as chairman Of prayer
: meeting and calmly face encrOaChing evil
. and may even battle with the devil in his
own pulpit, to the great cdifcatiOn of bis
people and no little spiritual and temporal
( emOIument to himself, as a power behind the
throne running a spelling bee" in = Teach
ers' Institute lie is not a success. X.
nr. Rer$ az I'D the 60. sJ,perintendency.
EDITOR FRKEMAE-Reports are current
( that hr. II. Berg is calling on School DiTec-
/ tors and asking them TO support him tRird
I time for the office Of County Superintendent.
/ During his ''Offcial visits ne makes il a
point to call on Directors for this special
purpose. Did not Mr.. Berg three years ago,
. while begging Directors to support him for
the position he has already filed for nearly
| six years, promise that in the event Of receiv-
Fsof- F,ra ,-I-
I for or seek the office? When this is known
Directors feel surprised at his presumption in
I once more soliciting their votes.
In view Of this fact, it occurs to me that if
AiT. Berg is a wise and sensible mar he Will
I withdraw from the field at once. If he is
conscious Of his former allegations his effort
to become his own successor IS really ''un-
( considerable" Y. !. Z.
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