Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-10-09
SCHOOL INTERESTS.
BIZ PROF. wa. aERnARpr. D.
MY RESIGNATION.

IN the city, but being still interested in
the advancement and prosperity of oul
public schools, ! desire, as retired
teacher. and as citizen, always identi
he'd with the enterprises of our city and
county, through the medium of our ex.
cellent papers, to furnish an occasional
article on such subjects pertaining to
schools, as may suggest themselves to my
mind, and be of interest to teachers
pupils and patrons. and the public in
general.
My first contribution, my Resigna.
ton, will necessarily partake of per.
sonal character. The reasons for my re-
tirement are given in my communities
ton as presented to the Board of Educa-
ton, and as published in our city papers,
but as l may be misunderstood by some
and misrepresented by others, deem il
necessary for their proper understand
ing and in justice to myself, to give a
more expanded statement of the matter,
by directing attention to the true causes
underlying those reasons. ask care
full, candid hearing, and just and righ-
teous judgment of the whole matter.
l have been principal of the High
School, and superintendent of the city
schools. six years and it will be essential
for my present purpose to give state
ment of the status of that school. more
particularly of the principals depart
ment, and the magnitude of the labor it
imposes. The course of the High School
is five years, under the present arrange
ment There have been, with the excep-
ton of last year, only four teachers, as
there are only four rooms, SO that pupils
taking full course for graduation, must
spend the last two years in the princi-
pals room. The studies accumulate and
rise from grade to grade, as the pupils
advance, and while in each of the other
three rooms, there is but one grade, there
are always two in the principals room,
and the studies are of such a nature as
to require more time for recitations and
instruction, than any class in the whole
range of graded work.
| | give here, a list of the branches
taught. and the number of classes to be
heard by the principal alone. Two class
es in Arithmetic, two in Algebra, two in
Natural Philosophy, three in Latin, two
in German, one in English Grammar,
one in Physiology, one in Rhetoric, one
in English History, one in Book Keeping
and one in Spelling, beside Composition
and Defamation once week. The sum
of this is ~ branches and 10 classes. To
this must be added the general oversight
and discipline of the whole school. To
visit the ward schools, the principal s
classes had to be dismissed. All this
work had to be done by one man. leave
1t to any reasonable person to judge
whether the burden thus imposed was
not enough to break down and wear out
even younger man than myself.
In view of the gravity of the position,
both as to labor and responsibility, re-
| quested the Board OF Education, last
year 10 grant me an assistant, In the per-
son OF my son, at S45 month, offering
my services as superintendent and prin-
clpal OF the High School, and as lnstruc-
tor of some of the higher classes, at $500
a year. AS there seemed to be some hes
ltancy on the part of some of the men,
bers of the Board, to enter into this ar
rangement, and as felt that could not
do justice to myself or to my pupils by
continuing the work alone, L then and
there placed my resignation IN the hands
OF the secretary of the Board, as he will
testify, to be offered In case the Board
! would not accept my proposition. The
Board, however, finally acceded to my
request ana IL Is patent TO everyone that
observed the work done during last year,
| that 1t proved success. The Board
were so well satisfied, that, with perfect
unanlmlty, the same arrangement was
made for the present year.
but on the eve OF the opening OF the
schools, INDEFINITE and Intangible charges
were urged by member OF the Board
against my son, and he was prevented
from entering upon the work, ana the
whole burden rested upon me, besides
the harasslng ana dlsheartenlng erect OF
the UNJUST and maliclous proceedings
against my SON. then declded TO re-
sign, IN case my son coulu not De asso-
clated with me IN the scnool-room work.
MY resignation was written ana read,
| DeIore mad any lntlmatlon from the
poaru IilaC IL was qeslred. 1it@ u me
true "ttoc'uneSS O me tSfaote ntdtter, as 10
my resignation. thought tnat the
BOARD might want sometlme 10 look
around lor sultaDle ana competent sue
ceSsor' anu would nave peen Wiling 10
continue that long put matters seemed
10 De cut ana dry' ana successor
was at once eiectea, VINO had the good
fortune 10 glloe INTO tne posltlon WIN
OUT the requisite eXamlnation upon the
branches taught. Inc principal eject Is
gentleman VINO has my regards, my
sympathy III ms arduous uutles ana my
best wishes Tor his success IN the work.
ANA now, as TO the malicious rumors
anoat' nope that the reasonable and
sensible portion, OF the pubic, who have
known me nearly score OF years, know
what constructions and value to put upon
them.
nave long since iaid ltdown as rule'
that III meeting with lnlustice from any
party or parties' would rather sutter IN
nocently. than resort to the law Tor re-
uIeoo' ooulo oue Hdo otlu, LIZ 10 q
sIeae man Wno can saoiiIio . etei .nih ~
a great man, but I think have enough
grace to bear with patience the cross i'm
poseo upon me- but II !ne law IS ho'
ers and sIanderers their consciences will
some dav lash them and sting them
| 80 oc,,,1,,ltol, tLo,, az nv, or a. I,,,-