The Portland daily press., 1883-04-11
The Farmineton Normal scbool.

The following circular containing charges
against Mr.. Rounds, principal Of the Farming
ton Normal School, is circulating in Franklin
county. Who the author Of 1t is Is not known,
but the fact that three OF the subordinate
teachers are to appear as prosecutors in the
coming investigation Of Mr. Rounds, makes 1t
probable that they have had hand in Its pre-
paration. The circular Is good specimen OF
humor and deserves the careful study OF
editors OF And So Forth" columns As
reflection upon Mr.. Rounds conduct and
school methods, like all anonymous attacks, 1t
deserves nothing but contempt. 10 is only
valuable as illustrating the mean kind Of war
which is being made upon Mr.. Rounds:
LA treatment OF students that is always
unsympathetic, ropressive, arbitrary end capri
cous, frequently marked by sneering insults,
often passionate and grossly unjust, and not In
frequently eliminating In outrageous abuse.
2-ungentlemanly, arbitrary, and sometimes
abusive treatment OF teachers and improper
interference with their work
3.-Such bearing towards citizens OF the
town and county as causes him TO be almost
universally disliked and in many cases cordial
~ detested and despissd by respectable citi-
zens, 20 the great detriment OF the school, and
the personal detriment OF pupils and teachers
"A style OF teaching that instead Of draw
ing out and developing the powers Of the pupil
by self-actiyty, as all true teaching must do,
is repressive In its influence, destroys personal
enthusiasm, tends 10 make mere mechanical
imitators in methods, and stultifies the pupil,
both intellectually and morally.
o.-The following OF ultra-extreme notions
IN education, with such frequent, violent and
inconsistent changes in programme, course OF
study and methods, that students never know
what may be required next, and interest in the
course OF study as whole is nearly or quite
destroyed.
6.-The school Is thus kept in state OF con-
slant uncertainty and disquiet and OF severe
mental and physical strain, TO no purpose, but
TO the discouragement, disgust, and injury OF
the student.
THE practice of unscrupulous selishness
in his relations TO the school and to individual
pupils where his personal interests are in
volved.
S.-The formation Of an advanced class the
present term with but three pu pills, two OF
them members OF his own family, with no
prospect OF an increase, and the almost certain
prospectsthat no advanced class will ever exist
IN the school after the present term under his
management, yet involving cost to the State
OF S4O0 per pupil per annum for tuition.
9.-The cutting down Of the work of the
higher classes in the regular course so that
they now have not sufficient work in it to keep
them employed.
l0-The urging OF students in those Glasses
10 take work In the advanced course for which
they are inadeq uately prepared, while more
important work In the regular course is neglec-
ted, in the desperate effort 70 secure classes Of
respectable numbers in the advanced course
H--During last term two-fifteenths of the
time of the school was spent in compulsory
criticism OF recitations and other exercises be-
fore the whole school, in addition to the criti-
cism constantly required and exercised in
every class recitation.
12-Lack OF judgment in the requirements
exacted Of pupils, and in recommendations
Inada to them, involving in some cases very
sefi5os detriment to them.
B.--When case really requiring discipline
arises, demoralizlng policy OF temporizing
and compromise is the general rule, while
gross insults and abuse are heaped upon those
who are absolutely guiltless OF any offence or
OF any intention to offend.
1.-THE students are demoralzed by the
lack Of respectful consideration due 10 their
manhood and womanhood and to their
maturity and experience. and by the constant
arbitrary and abusive treatment which they
receive, which is extremely destructive OF
their self-respect, training them not to ap-
preclate their personal rights and promoting a
spirit OF servility, 10 their lifelong injury.
15.-By these and similar means, involving
other points too numerous to mention, the
school has been brought to the verge of des-
truction, with no prospect Of a change for the
haftpr