The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-03-06

questions in relation to the welfare OF
the school, was lostsight of, one element
working with all their power to keep
him in, while the other side were just
as desirous of putting him out. Messrs
Jesse Huffman, Prior Scott and Emery
Allen as directors and Thos. Bell as
clerk were run and elected by the
party who were in favor of retaining |
the old condition of affairs and con-
tinuing Mr.. Miner as teacher while
on the other hand Messrs G. W. Ken
nedy, F. A. Horning and Wallace
Baldwin as directors with VIM. Groves
clerk were run and defeated by the
other faction who desired change and
a new teacher hired who could so har-
monize the patrons of the school that
all could see their way clear to send to
and patronize the school. This is
very bad condition of affairs when we
find that the harmony and prosperity
of one of our principal public schools
in the county and the real interest
is all subordinated TO the interest OF
one man. This certainly is wrong,
for no matter what any mans quail
fications as school teacher is, if 1t
should be regarded by some as first
class ani by Others with disfavor,
whenever the harmony and best ln-
terests of the school are to be effected,
the general interest of the school
should be regarded first and if any con-
siderable number of patrons cannot
send to school on account OF some
fault they find with the teacher, the
teachers interests should give way for
the public and general interests OF the
school and should seek employment
elsewhere. where his services can be
better appreciated and new teacher
employed in the discordant school who
can harmonic the elements and com
nand the respect of all the patrons CT
the district. The main point to be
kept in view with the public school
questions is not what teachers shall
teach. but how can we best advance
the interests Of education and disseui-
nate knowledge the greatest number OF
children, and it certainly is unfortu-
nate that an important public view
should be lost sight of for the benefit
of one man. A similar difficulty and
opposition some years ago sprang uf
towards Prof. Walker in PhilomaSh
College which hung on so long that Ii
materially damaged the school, and IL
> the discord which more recently gre"
up in the Presbyterian church IN op
position to Mr. Dunnins being retained
as pastor which came near breaking
ND the church. In both instances VIZ
i maintained the better plan would have
l been tor the incumbent against whom
the opposition was waged to have with
drawn while the discord was onl y IL
it's commencement, and this was 40
our idea because we had anythln:
= against these men, but because 1t wa
thought such withdrawal better for al
parties interested, and time in tbec
two instances has amply proven tina
such would have been the wises
course. When any man attempts t
> force his employment as teacher o
minister upon the public where an
considerable number of the people d
not want him he is degrading hi
. position which ought to be made nobl
u down to the level of a neighborhoo
~ hroil and quarrel which should b
- beneath the dignity of any man capabl
L. of maintaining such positions. By s
~ doing he wastes his energies, does bin
~ self absolute injury which it is difficu
= to ever regain, and does the public
ne very grave and lasting injustice. "
Is have noticed this kind of course
rs many instances and ye5 have to fir
s. the first man who attempted to fort
er his employment, as indicated, on tt
u public by creating a commotion in tt
is community who did not finally II
le his course when it is too late.