Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-20
i csmmunieaiioa.


Editors ofthe EeDnebec .Ionrnal :;
win you kindly grant me little space
in Your columns?
| Several false rumoys In relation to my
connection with the schools hsve been cir
culated Of late which should hardly 10 nm
noticed. It they we're merely Of : personal
character should not deem them worthy
Of notice. But q know the foufce from
which they have arisen, and the purpose
for which rtey have been circulated. and a
they touch vital principles and affect the
interests of the schools at large, few
words should be spoken.
In the first place, it has been reported
that my position on the school board, given
under Democratic administration, was in
recognition Of previous support 1t the polls.
This report il utterly without foundation.
The appointment was made without my
knowledge or consent. Il was hardly pos
sible for me to believe that some mistake
had no. been made in the name. When
treasured Of the correctness of the report
we determined to serve the interests Of the
schools to the extent of our ability. We
determined not to allow the question of
politics to enter into school affairs At all.
And when urged by the many friends of
the schools to stand for reelection, We were
determined that it should not be upon
political grounds. While friends were
thoroughly familiar with my avowed Repub-
lican principles and were confident that
should vote conscientiously, yet my lips have
been sealed on the question of voting. It ia my
conviction that the school officers should be
above political trading. 1t 10 my belief
that the Office should be removed from
politics altogether.
The only reason for my conserving 20 be
q candidate for another term of service,
was the knowledge tina. the freouent
changes upon the board in recent years,
had been the occasion of weakness in our
school system, and that possibly by contin
uance, the defects might be in q measure
renledi,d.
Much stress has also been laid upon the
been more st7diously and conscientiously
avoided; so much so, indeed, in one or
two instances 40 to threaten enlargement
among my immediate friends. We entered
upon the Office determined to consider
without prejudice. Ill applicants for posi-
tons and to weigh irnpsrtially the various
qualifications. We cannot claim that we
never made mistakes, but we ever aimed to
be fair to all. 9
Political capital was also made of the
charge that tuition was required without
reason Of those living in one district and
for any cause attending school in another.
Ia answer to this it is sufficient to say that
the question of tuition under these circum-
stances has never been limited at. None
has ever been asked or received.
Other charges equally false and yet too
trivial or unmanly to receive attention have
been made and industiiously circulated.
They have doubtless had the desired effect
with some minds. We only hope that the
work with the schools may not be charac-
terized by the underhanded, ungentlemanly
and malicious spirit exhibited in the canvass
for the position.
The administration of the school interests
for the past year may have been short
sighted and inefficient, but we have sought
to act for the welfare of the schools and
prefer to leave these questions of efficiency
and the like with those who have been con-
cerned and are therefore prepared to
judge. Respectfully.
J. M. WYMAN.
Augusta, March 10, 1894. s3. 81.