The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-07-30
MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS.
Something More About the Dismissal o.
Mr.. Hazel The Motive of 1t.
To the Editor Of the Press.

To the Editor Of the Press:
As 70 answer has appeared to the inquiries
of your late correspondent in relation to the
dismissal of Mr. Hazel by the School Commit
tee, would like to present few facts Every
teacher in our schools who has been elected on
the strength of recommendation, or after
successful trial as q temporary teacher, has
right to expect reelection, unless there is
shown to be good cause for dismissal If this
were not so, our schools would soon become
thoroughly demoralized. The fewer changes
there are in the teaching force. other things
being equal, the better our schools will be.
This is particularly true of the principals of
cur schools and of the special teachers. When
teacher is invited to come here from distant
city, common courtesy requires that ample
notice should be given, if his services are to
be no longer required. 1t ought to be conceded
that teachers have some rights that school
committees are bound to respect.
When the committee decided in favor of
Mason's system of teaching music in public
schools, it was found that there was no one
here sufficiently acquainted with his method
to take the matter in charge and on Mr..
Mason's recommendation, Mr.. Hazel was cent
and strength until the pupils in our primary
and grammar schools have attained degree
of perfection in the theory and practice OF
music in advance of the pupils in other cities
The only complaint that has been made against
Mr.. Hazel has been on the score Of the exam
nations in music. These were instituted
because the teachers complained to the COM
mittee that the pupils would not pay sufficient
attention to the study of music, unless they
were examined and marked as they are in
other branches. This was contrary TO Mr.
Hazels Judgment, but he was instructed to
prepare examination papers and obeyed. This
is the only complaint worthy of being repeated
tina ( has been urged against him to my knowl-
edge.
One visit to the Caseo street Primary school,
ia company with some friends when Mr.
Hazel showed the progressive attainments Of
each grade in reading at sight, convinced me
that our schools had an instructor in music
who was master in his profession.
am Informed that at the time the commit
tee were fixing the salaries of the teachers in
| the spring, five of their number voted against
! any appropriation for the teacher OF music
| AS soon as this action became public there was
| so much Indignation expressed that at the
next meeting the matter was reconsdered,
regular salary was appropriated Some of our
| largest Taxpayers went to the individual men,
| bers OF the board and told them that it would
never do to stop the instruction in music.
| When the time came for the election Of the
| teacher in music, the subcommittee on music
unanimously reported the name of Mr.. Hazel
| for reelection. The application OF Mrs. Mer-
| rill for the position was then read, and the
| committee proceeded TO ballot.
Only four of the five members who voted
/ m we
| sent, aud they voted for Mrs. Merrill. One of
those who voled for her said that he was very
much surprised at. her application because 1t
| was extremely doubtful If she could perform
| the duties of the office.
Thus the reason of Mr.. Hazels dismissal is
very plain Those who voted against the APP
! preparation we're enthusiastic for her election
| The obvious conclusion is that in the opinion
OF these four gentlemen, Mrs. Merrill's election
| is equivalent 10 giving the death blow TO the
| study Of music in our public schools. do not
| say that this will be SO; Tor aught know Mrs
/ Merrill may be far superior 10 Mr., Hazel as a
teacher and exponent OF Mason's system; she
may be able to get around to every school room
| IN the city, and teach a half hour in each,
every two weeks; and another year may show
| that better progress has been made than ever
| before. But the experiment of a lady teacher
/ of music going from school to school has been
tried often under far less difficult circumstances
| and has always failed. If this experiment
! fails, it will put back the scholars in this study
at least three years.
/ The following extract from letter to Mr.
| Hazel from Prof. Mason may be interesting, as
showing the way these things are looked at
| outside OF the city. After referring In terms
| OF high praise to the school report which Mr.
| Hazel had sent to him he wrote as follows:
| II cannot understand how such broad common
sense and thorough knowledge Of the working
| OF your school system, can be reconciled with
| their treatment of you That now after 80
many years of extra labor at so low salary
| (Which should always have been equal to that
OF the principal of the North grammar schoo)
] you are set aside for lady who is employed
| because she will teach at q less salary Prof.
Mason misunderstands the reason OF her selec-
| ton. The question of salary was not touched
| upon until after her election.] L know nothing
| of the lady who is to take your place, but un-
| less she possesses besides superior musical
1 abilities, and much experience In teaching, q
| superior physical constitution, she will find
| she has no easy task. l have seen this tried
before aud II has always failed" Music.