The Hawaiian gazette., 1883-04-11
ACnrinns Consedsrnnr.

EDrToR GAzETTE.-After the late reorganization
of the Board of Education, actuated by the desire
to make the best Of what, at first sight, did not
seem very encouraging situation on educational
matters many have made an effort to study the new
Board from an educational stand point 1t is, Of
course, exceedingly important to have the culture
OF the rising generation in the hands Of competent
persons then whatever may be the temporary po-
litical vagaries, we may entertain we'll grounded
confidence in the future of the State.
The President Of the new Board, W. NJ. Gibson,
is not that we are aware of, a man versed in edu-
cational matters; it is true that he has written
book or two, and runs a newspaper, but literature
does not appear to be in his particular line, nor
has he yet attained that rich reward Of literary
merit, the Order of kapiolani. We therefore have
some difficulty in theorising as to the reasons OF
his appointment to this important position. The
next member Of the Board, Mr.. Preston, is, we IN
derstand, good lawyer, but without experience in
school systems any special interest in, or knowl
edge of the subject. He has not even written
book, that We are aware of, nor run a newspaper,
and is ignorant of the Kings Hawaiian. We have
confess inability to account for his selection
Number three on the list is Mr.. Godfrey Rhodes,
who has long been ON the Board, and may be sup
posed 10 be useful man for the position from his
long experience in the work; but the continuance
of an old member, who is at the same time, well
advanced IN years and probably unacquainted
with advanced methods of instruction, does not
account for the seemingly unaccountabe re-organ-
ization Of department which had done, and was
dong good work. Neither has the continuaoe OF
Mr.. Smith, who is an old member, but permanent
absentee from the country, any significance IN
this direction We are left to the irresistible con-
clusion that in the appointment of David Leleo
Kinimaka, are to be found the real reasons for the
change. The fact that this gentleman is an officer
of the regular army, is sufficient guarantee of
exalted competence IN matters of education The
high literary standing of the Hawaiian army is
well known and satisfactorily established The
public cannot forget the excellent literary record
of Lieut. Hoopili Baker in political campaign
few years ago. when matters requiring, not only
deep insight into human nature, but severe and
liberal mental training and experience were treat
ed by that gentleman in his now historic political
papers, with an eloquence of diction, and an ease
of expression that were both the admiration and
despair of his political opponents. His scientific
illusions in the able papers on defensive armc-
ment, to . ma gattling gun and g ma lay torpedo,
will be remembered 10 have filled the community
with lively anticlpatlOns NJ the dawn OF new era
in defensive warfare. Mr.. kinimaka has doubtless
had the same brilliant advantages as Mr. Baker,
and will give TO the educational affairs of the coun
try the benefit of trained and fertile intellect and
at the same time Will be able to introduce into the
public schools military discipline, which has so
long been necessary want. The happy selection
of this gentleman shows an appointing intelligence
of no common mold.
The satisfaction we had arrived at in this view
of the educational situation, was somewhat shaken
ON reading in the 4drertiser Daily of a late date
that the Board of Education nov consists of " Mr.
Gibson, Pres; Mr.. D. ID. Baldwin, Inspector Gen.
of Schools and Mr. w. ]. Smith, Sec" Has there
been new revulsionY Has the great Kinmaka
been rudely dropped. not to speak of Messrs.
Rhodes, Mott Smith and Prestonl We confess to
be greatly puzzled at this new turn affairs have
taken, and ask for light. Do not o, excellent and
intelligent government, blight our hopes for the
educational future of the country by depriying us
of the gigantic intellect Of Mr.. Kinimaka. If his
military duties are absorbing and important, let
him at any rate, in the piping times of peace, be
an organizer and inspirer of our schools.
IHF HAN OF A HousEHOIp