Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-05-25
From the Frying Pan into the Fire.

Vie ctdtc OOuNcntlOu Ill person..
From the Frying Pan into the Fire.
The vigorous kick of the STANDARD
las: week, backed by the people.
has resulted in q reconsideration
OF the importation OF a City Su.
perintendent of Public Schools from
Kansas, but it seems the concession
was not made with cheerfulness, for
the Board of Directors Immediately
elected Prof. Beeler to fill the position,
Notwithstanding he has headed the
feeling among the teachers to resist
effort for the retrenchment demanded
by the financial situation, involving
of course reduction OF both salsry of
teachers and time of service in the
public schools. 1t is likewise reported
that the Professor is . member of the
A. P. A., which he denies, and his
friends on the board-Messrs. Bilger
and Adams-vigorously deny for him.
But it has been remarked as singular
circumstance that everybody who has
been accused of membership with that
denies it, although they
may have been seen going into and
out of the hall said to be de-
voted to that order at certain times.
That it is a veritable lodge Of the A.
P. A. is quite plain, for citizens who
have been approached TO secure them
as members give ample evidence of its
existence. just where the "catch"
comes in whereby denial of member
ship with the A. P. A. may not be re-
garded as literal violation of truth,
and at the same time the person
may have taken an oath to put down
the Romish church, has not yet been
discerned, but We venture to say that
variation of the question so as to
contine it to the objects sought would
not be met with such speedy denial.
Whether Prof. Beeler belongs to an
anti.Catholic organization or not, we
think the fact will not be disputed
that he has represented an element
that seeks TO control all school matters
in way that will yield the largest
revenue to teachers. If the degree of
excellence OF its service was equaled
by this ardor for promoting self inter
ests, probably it might have been ex.
cused in flush times, when taxes could
be paid without hardship, but here
again critics have discovered grave
faults.
A system of hot-bed development
has been pursued, and the youth of
delicate years have been 90 thoroughly
crammed with science and literature
that they are in q manner untitled by
it to fill the ordinary duties OF life.
Some people think that boy or girl
OF fifteen years should be confined to
the rudimentary branches for a secure
foundation for that knowledge which
patient development of mind and ca
pacity will justify. The idea that
such "infants" should be placed in
the higher mathematics, taught anat-
omy or smattering Of the dead Ian
guages, before they can work out an
example in partial payments and
give the reason for each step, or tell
when the verb agrees with its nomina-
tive case in number and person, is
considered by these critics as some
thing preposterous and altogether un-
justified by the great desire Of teachers
70 establish high school on q perma-
nent basis and greatly enlarge the
field for profitable employment.
The object advocated by the STAND
ARD last week was to secure such posi-
lions OF honor, responsibility and trust
at the disposal OF agents of the people,
lin this instance represented by the
Board of School Trustees.) for actual
residents and taxpayers, provided OF
course they were qualified for the
work. 1t matters but little whether
q fresh importation is made from Kan.
sas. or elsewhere, or the employment
of man for Superintendent who has
been imported by some former board,
and who has not become identified
with our interests enough to have
placed his name on the tax roll.
The course of the directors, it seems
20 us, has been that expressed by the
adage, "Out OF the frying pan into the
fire." and if there was enough reason
shown why Greene, Of Kansas, should
be deposed, there was ample cause for
hoping that substantially the same
error should not have been made in
electing successor.