The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-24
PATRIOTISM IN THE sCHOULs.
Rebuffs Received by Mr. Foster in His Effort
to Start Flag Movement.

Mr. Wallace Foster. in his effort to intro
duce lesson on patriotism in Soho oil No. SO.
seems to have struck large-sized snaR in
the School Board. The purpose OF his effort
was thoroughly explained by Mr.. Wallace
in letter on Jan. a. thus:
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Jan. "a, 1893.
To the President and Honorable Board of School
Commissi oners of the City Of indianapolis:
Gentlemen-I have the honor to address you
for the privilege of raising fund in Public
school No. 80. for the purpose of purchasing two
national bunting flags 10 take the place OF the
old ones that are tattered and torn, and must
soon be retired 10 an honorable place In the
That you may fully understand the patriotic
motive have in view, will state that my plnn TO
raise the fund is an object lesson OF self sacrifice
self-reliance. industry. magnanimlty, etc.. and
TO encourage and teach loyalty and patriotism
to the youth. All scholars from nine years OF
age and over nine will be allowed to enlist in the
little army of patriotic flag workers. and no
child will be asked T. Contribute without the
consent OF their parents md of their own free
will and accord.
The. conditions !. raising the fund
Ia for each scholar to contribute
10 cents earned by theiu In doing some kind OF
labor, and in no case must the scholar accept
the money from their parents or anyone else
until they have earned It by giving value In
work for or, III, n money. The principal IL, OF said
treasurer and receive the fund, accompanied by
letter from the scholer. telling how they earned
more than 10 cents. The patriotic work to be
done on Saturdays to be designated by the
principal OF the school. When each scholar has
reported their contribution and flags have been
many of the letters could be read and would con-
tribute much Instructive amusement and teach
a lesson of patriotism that would abide in their
hearts forever.
Hoping you will grant me the privilege as
herein described and asked for. have the honor
to be sincerely and periodically yours,
WALLACE FOSTER.
Nothing came of it and Mr.. Foster wrote
again, receiving the following reply.
which, though rather confused III it's gram
matical construction, is plain In its mean
ing:
INDIANAPOLIS. IND, March 81, 1893.
wallace Foster. Esq. 1000 North Tennessee street:
Dear sir-Your letter of March %. 1898, TO
Mr.. ID. W. Coffin, asking permission OF the Board
OF School Commissioners TO collect funds from
the pupils for The purpose OF purchasing flags,
has been referred 10 the Committee on Buildings
and Grounds and copy of your request handed
to mo only few days ago. My Information as
to the advisablity to accept your proposition
seems to be entirely against the rules of the
purpose 1t ia also claimed that the plan pro-
posed will interfere with the course OF studies
during school hours. To settle the matter for
the future / will at the next meeting of the
board introduce resolution that the Board of
School Commissioners appropriate funds TO pur-
chase flags for school houses not yet provided
Chairman Committee on Buildings and Grounds.
Mr.. Foster replied to this. again explain
ing his pur pose. which, it will readily be
been, could not be accomplished by having
the board furnish the flags. In reply, he
received this elephantine effort at sarcasm
from Loeper:
INDIANAPOLIS. March 80, 1893.
Wallace Foster 1890 North Tennessee Street, In
dianapols:
Dear sir-Your matter of March % has been
received to-day. intended, as a patriotic citi-
zen OF the county, to treat the matter with
malice toward none and charity to ALL" aud L
see that this part cannot be reached by my prop
ostion. therefore respectfully AJAX to be ex-
cused in the future in behalf of your future prop
ositions. sincerely and periodically yours,
JACOB W. LoEPER,
Member Board of School Commissioners
Mr. Loeper il not alone in his sentiments.
The majority OF the board voted with him
last Friday night in rejecting tue PROPOSE
ton.