Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1885-05-02

To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
1 have noticed lately several communica-
tions in your paper concerning the affairs of
| the Hillhouse High school. Many sensible
| remarks have been made. and I do not sup
pose it is possible to say much of anything
| new, but feel it my duty a graduate to
demonstrate against the removal of Mr.. Cur
| tiss, and to say a few words of several other
matters.
Those who have spent four years in the
| High school under Mr. Curtiss can
not but confess that he has al
ways treated scholars with fairness
and that one can complain of injustice or
partiality. His government of the school
has been wisely ordered. The prominent
positions which our High school men and
women are occupying to-day testify to the
careful and firm control exerted by our prin-
cipal If any serious fault were found in Mr..
Curtiss' manner of conducting the school he
should have been confronted with
the charge and chance given
for him to exculpate himself.
Besides, the public do not realize what impor-
tant changes are sure to result from Mr.. Cur
tiss' discharge. In all probability Mrs. Curtiss,
the most highly respected lady teacher in the
school, will retire at the same time as Mr..
Curtiss. The loss of her whom we have all
known only to admire and honor will be
sorely felt By teacher and scholar. Her res
ignation will doubtless be followed by those
of some other teachers, and thus the High
school will be deprived of
some of its ablest instructors
I wish all fair minded and unprejudiced citi-
zens will carefully consider what I have said
and that they read the clear statement of
affairs expressed in the interview published
in Thursdays paper. Taxpayer" in the
same issue put forth some rather ridiculous
and nonsensical ideas. For one thing,
Taxpayer" says that superficial, slippery
examinations of candidates have been given
in order to increase the number" of the
scholars. I am sure this is un-
true. Taxpayer would find it hard
to substantiate what he says. Perhaps
scholars are allowed to pursue special studies
in the High school. Some such scholars are
far in advance of their classes in certain
studies, while they have not taken others be-
longing to lower grades. This is often the
case when pupils move to New Haven after
having resided in towns where the school
curriculum is differently arranged. Is it neces-
sary that every scholar who enters the High
school shall commence at the fourth class
and pursue all the studies of the four years
course even if he has already been over some
of theme
Taxpayer thinks that the rich should
not be encouraged to send their sons and
daughters to the High school. The wealthier
classes certainly have many rights as
others and have to pay taxes as we'll as the
poor. Why do we not exclude the rich from
all public educational advantages? There
are good many people who would like to
see the downfall of the High school and
Taxpayer" probably belongs to that class.
New Haven has long appeared devoid of
public spirit, but now is a chance for her to
wake up. Let our citizens show themselves
friends to the great cause of education; let
them support the High school. All are will
ing enough to pick flaws when troubles arise,
but let them look a little closer to the well
fare of our public schools when they are in
prosperous condition. 85.