The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-05-03
A Great Ado About Notbing.

To the Editor of the CARBON ADVOCATE;
No doubt the "Open Letter. published
in the ADVOCATE of last week, afforded
Mr.. Ritter, its author, great deal of satis-
faction, and in his narIow-mlndedness he
thought it undenable, and that 1t could not
be controYerted,
If his motives were honorable, we would
not have word to say against his letter,
but knowing the animus undertaking all his
efforts, feeble as they are, to lnjure Prof.
Snyder, we feel it our duty to reply to some
OF the charges he makes against him,
The engraving referred to by Mr.. Ritter
as 'lithograph" does represent nineteen Of
the most eminent educators Of the State,
and Carbon county may feel proud that
they have among them man who is classed
as one of the most eminent educators of the
State. Prof. Snyder's standing as an edu-
Gator is not only demonstrated by the pub
lication referred to, but among his peers in
the educational department of the State,
he is regarded as one of the able men In
their profession.
At the State Teachers Institute at Allen
town, he was member of the committee
on resolutions, and it was owing largely to
his efforts at that time, that the extending
of the school term TO six months was placed
before the Legislature, and by them en-.
acted. At the State Teachers Association
at Altoona, although Prof. Snyder was COM
paratiYely stranger to that part OF the
State, he was elected chairman of the State
Executive Committee, by a vote of 1888
against lat, the highest number of votes
received by another.
Is it to be imagined by any unpTejudiced
mind that Prof. Snyder would be placed in
charge of this eminent body If he was the
pigmy his detamers say he isP Let equals
decide this question; and does not the vote
as above stated decide II beyond disputeP
The gentleman who was asked by the
Popular Educator to select for them list
of about twenty of the leading educators of
Pennsylvania, who they say, fought to
know" did knO'o, the standing of Prof.
Snyder, and not only this man, but to quote
from the letter before me, from the pub
fishers of the Popular Educator, "this list
was submitted TO others, whom we thought
competent judges of the matter, and they
approved of the list" Mr.. Ritter was not
considered competent, he1ce he was not
consulted The question was not one Of
popularity" as Mr.. Ritter puts it, but one
of eminence, as this same letter states.
Mr.. Ritter has also charged Prof. Sny-
der, with being unpopular among the
teachers of this county; in this he resem-
bles a certain country editor, who always
headed his double loaded editorials awe
the People" He lmagines no doubt that
there are no other teachers in the county
outside of himself, and the few opponents
of Prof. Snyder Happily however there
are FEW others, and the following copied
from the Weatherly Herald of the 70 inst.
voices their sentiments, and opinions OF
the Prof. ''Banks Twp, represents seven
teen teachers, and has five principals OF
schools, all of whom favor, and pray for,
the retention Of Prof. Snyder. Il has been
| ao9cltou thas buc PAluclpdls OF SCHOOLS AIe
opposed 10 the reelection of the Prof.
This Is radically untrue, and not only &c
all the principals favor the Prof, but a.so
all of the teachers of our Township, prln.
cpals, PRIMARY and intermediate teachers
combine &c.
There is good and sufficient reason fol
the teachers 10 think well of the Prof, foI
from my own personal knowledge, l can
attest TO the fact that he has always haG
the we'll being Of the teachers at heart; h,
has never failed, 10 use his influence, {.
have the salaries increased, their surround
ings made comfortable and pleasant.
, The increase of Institutes, their POPULAR
n.y. the standing of the schools, the ad
yanced methods of teaching, the pOpu
q larity of our public schools in the county
and the general enthusiasm awakene,
S among our people, all attest 70 the eml
{ nence OF the Prof, as an educator IN thl
State and his pre-emiRenee IN the coupty
r Yours &C
EX-SECREFARY.
q