The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-06
A PARTING SHOT
By DIR. Jepson nj DIR. IIiidrcth ON the
kchuoI Question.

To the Editor o: the lntelligencer.
SIR:-Dr. Hildreth's second statement Is
also Misleading, and demands brief reply.
He states that his figures were procured from
the books OF the Board. never doubted
that, hence accepted his figures as correct,
and based my calculations upon them, show
ing the public that while our total school ex-
penses are now $l7, 900 per annum greater
than ten years ago, yet that the cost OF edu.
eating each pupil 10 now nearly one dollar
less per annum than then.
Again he says, bis "list OF text books was
copied from the pamphlet OF the Board"
This find also to be true, but gentleman
Of such vast experience In school affairs
should have been more familiar with our
present school course than to have copied from
On old pamphlet and presented tothe pub
lie list OF books aR being Rex tn Sse, mum.
Der OF which (named In my former remarks)
have been out Of the schools for years. Our
preisIt course OF study has never been printed
in any pamphlet. Some gentlemen who have
only SERVED htgo years Rs commissioner
could have given the Doctor this little Tor
nation. N
Again he says 1.-THE most Objectionable
feature in my report appears TO DO It's ALSO
flute truth" The chief features In his report
objectionable" to myself and anamber OF
the board With whom have conyeBed were
Is followsf
First-That the board has been long en-
gagged in the occupation OF tearing down
good aud capacious school houses merely for
the purpose Of erecting more imposing ones:
have given the opinion Of several "old
memhers OF The board" that oil OF those old
buildings with the possihle exception Of
those In the Third and Firth wards, were
-uken down at the proper time.
sscond-That edrcauon.ts in this city 90
much more expenalve then formerly. have
shown that the annual cost for each pupil Is
less.
Third-That We are violating the school
cent OF pupils Under school sge." l chal.
lenge the statement, and throw The burden
OF proof on DR.. Hildreth.
Fourth-That We graduate boys and girls
from y to 10 years old" The Doctor cheer
fully" acknowledged that he was incorrect.
Fifth-ThAt the Board has '1snoEelo the
law providing that only the higher branches
designated by the Superintendent shall be
taught, ] have shown that the whole Of the
present school eoliSe was arranged with be
advice aud assistance OF the Superintendent,
who approved Of every book In the course.
aiSth-That our school course y equal TO
our colleges aad lacks only The introduction
| OF Latin and Greek 10 be theiE Uompellto I"
] have named twenty-five STUDIOS that are
pursued IN Washington college, not one Of
which Il In our eouEsa,
seventh-That further RddltlonS arc being
made" TO our grammar course. have shown
that Two high school studies Botany and
Astronomy were taken out OF the course one
year ago, aud fud hat SINCE 1879 the follow
Ina also hRYe been dropped, zig: Trigonpme-
try, surveying, Il!negalogY and geology. So It
appears that we are, instead Of constantly
adding high school studies 10 our COURSE,
dropping from the course at the rate OF more
than one study year.
Nov II my friend will kindly indicate
what other "ahsolutS t.pth" he has set forth
OF such nature d 10 constitute an ''obiec:
tionabie feature to any present member Of
the Board OF Education, will humbly en-
deayor, with my 1.-TWO years experience rs
commissioner TO SHE'D some light on II
Il will be ssen from this brief resume OF
NV remarks to the Board, that my friend has
not made any reply whatever 70 my criticism
Of his speech. regret exceedingly that hs
has, losing his accustomed equanimtty,
chosen rather 70 make personal attack on
me, Who, / beg 10 Rssprs The public, have for
thirteen years been on the Mpst tFiepdly
terms With the Doctor, and would tBin hope
to pass thirteen more years with opE Fela'
tionR rs pleasant By tbs use q SUCH terms
as the following the Doctor places himself at
disadvantage; ~ have no ill'wih, spitsand
ambition TO crafty" " desptte personal