The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-05
THE HRLIC sCHOOl.S.
DR.. HiIdreth has something Further Il
Say Abuut Them and his Report.

DR., HiIdreth has Something Further 10
Say Abuut Them and his Report.
To the Editor Of the lntellgsncer
slR: In reviewing my minority reportpub.
lished In the ISrELLIOEScER few days ago, |
should have acknowledged the valuable as
sistancO rendered me by DR.. II. +. Hullihen,
1.-THE former clerk OF the Board) In preparing
and arrapg ing the financial part OF said re-
port. His familiarity with such accounts
and uuuuestioned correctness are vel. known
aud appreciated. For the statistics, am in.
debted to our worthy Superintendent, Prof.
Birch, who, at my request prepared the table
Of enrolment, precise copy OF which forms
part Of said report.
The list OF text books was copied from the
pamphlet OF the Board, (See Page 2)-headed
aList OF Text Books prescribed by the Board
OF Education"
The historical part OF said Report was drawn
from, and Is q review OF my own observation
and experience In the service OF the public
schools more or less since their organization
In 1S47-s.
The opinions and views expressed are only
In part mine, having been modified, by IRE
quent conferences with come OF the Oldest,
ablest and most experienced teachers OF the
public schools In this and other cities.
make no claim whatever to originality. For
correct information aS TO the number and
age Of the graduates OF our schools, called
several times upon Prof. Birch, but found
him either so much engaged In his office, or
on duty away from his office, that falling,
inserted my own recollection OF the age
and the number. have since learned from
him the average age to be about II years. /
make this correction cheerfully. The finan.
cial, statistical and historical parts OF the re.
port are substantially true, and beyond
cayil or contradiction. As before stated, the
opinions expressed are not deduced from, or
the result ot"tWo years as commissioner
The most Questionable feature In my report
appears 70 be us absolute truth. hold
myself responsible for their expression.
From an honest and unpreludiced examina.
ton and discussion, hope will result the
welfare and prosperity OF our schools. !
hayeno ill.will, spite or ambition TO crafty.
despise personal abuse aud accusation, es.
pecially when introduced In questions Of
public policy or public discussion, az the
resort Of narrow minded aud weak men,
Alta called meeting OF the special commit
tee few days before the Board met there
were present, Captain A. Wilson, Hon. All.
Caldwell, DR.. Jepson, ]. A, Acker and
myself I then read my report with three
resolutions attachedl my colleague appeared
to be in full accord with the objects aud
purposes proposed claiming priority In the
premises and offered an amendment 10 the
terms Of the resolution IN relation to the
enrolment Of pupils In Division DAT q
subsequent meeting Of the Board, Hon;
All Caldwell (who was Chairman Of tia
special committed drew upR report, just
before the meeting, which was read In the
meeting, but which believe was not signed
BY single member OF the committee. then
offered a minority report with the resolution
TO consolidate the scholars In the higher
branches In the Filth ward building,
and In advocacy OF which, remarked that Lht
arguments ] wished TO offer involved Rnumber
OF facts and figures that being unable to cite
them correctly from memory, had therefore
put them down IN writing. The board
listened attentiyely to what was read and
said, and challenged discussion Of thetopics
stated, but the orators OF The board were
SILENT ''Not q drum was heard, nor p
funeral note" Ny Official lie expired that
night
expressing his approval Of what had been
said, moved that my report, papers, etc, be
referred 10 the Committee on Teachers and
Schools, which was adopted, A member re-
marked that It was Intended 10 kill the
whole proceeding.
The matter Is Before the Board aud public,
and hope will receive their most earnest
and candid attention and action. Ny duty
10 doRe. i. A HupRETH
January 4, lsss.