The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-15

ty superintendent. These examinations
were very severe, and occupied several
days. She had six years successful expe-
rience as primary teacher, and became
widely known as an excellent teacher.
so. For the past four years she has
held a position as supervisor OF vocal mu-
sic. Her reason for resigning this posi-
tion was that the work was very ardu-
Gus. and to continue II was beyond her
power OF physical endurance.
SO. She had not. until last Monday, been
examined in school studies for 10 years,
the school board of Pennsylvania being
obliged TO recognize the possession OF
State normal diploma as SUFFICIENT evil
dence OF teachers intellectual qualihca-
tlons.
81. She can furnish the best OF recon-
mendation as TO moral character.
8. She Was very Ill throughout the
summer vacation and had come without
having had any chance whatever for pre-
paration for an examination.
"6. She was
FRIGHTENED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT,
and was on that account in q nervous
condition when she took the examina-
tion.
81. She was examined in an uncomfort-
able room. She took cold ana was in
pain.
"S. She was not examined IN the
branches she ought to have been examined
in, IL at all. Chapter 81, section 4, OF the
public statutes, pertaining TO education,
reads as follows: The school committee
shall not sign any certificate OF qualitica-
ton, unless the person named in the same
SHALL PRODUCE EVIDENCE
of good moral character, and be found, on
examination, qualified to teach the vari-
GUS branches required to be taught in the
school. Miss Ramage was not exam
ined in reading, spelling, writing, draw
ing or music; yet all of these branches
are required to be taught in her school.
History and civil governm are not re-
quired TO be taught in her school, yet
she was examined in those branches. DID
Mr. Almy overlook the subject OF algebra
geometry, trigonometry, Latin and phys
les in which Miss Ramage has
REPEATEDLY PASSED SUCCESSFUL EXAM
NATIONS,
or did be examine her only in those
branches with which he felt tolerabiy IA
miliar?
80. In Mr.. Almy's letter to Miss Ram
| age notifying her of her failure to pass,
among other bad mistakes In language,
three appearing on one page, he spells
the possessive plural OF the noun teacher
t-e-s-c-h-e-r-'s. This cannot be said to
be a slip of the pen, for he has repeatedly
| made the same mistake. Besides, under
| the circumstances, be would naturally be
| very careful to write as correctly as he
could. His spelling also is imperfect. ls
| a man who thus murders the queens En-
! glish, making three mistakes in q letter
! OF u short lines--is he competent to ex-
anime teachers in language? Would not
one suppose he would be disposed to be
lenient with teachers?
"10 In the examination given Miss Ram
age, the formation OF the possessive plu-
raj of nouns was required.
ga superintendent ought to be kind. po-
lite, considcrate, helpful and encouraging
| to teachers, under any and all circum-
| stances. III he be not sc toward one who
comes among us stranger, and only just
recovered from a severe illness, is 1t suffi-
| cient to say he is simply rude and unfeei-
ing?
ashould we not employ stronger ad-
jeciive?
| 81 have
NO PERSONAL QUARREL
with the gentlemen who voted against
my election to the superintendsncy III
| they really believed the calumnious re-
| three of them, at least, were justified In
voting against me. And i ought not to
cherish any malice against even my
quondam friend, who wanted TO be elect
ed a member OF this committee III order
that he might vote for me, and promised
10 do SO, and afterward SO bssely betrayed
his supporters. All ] ask of these gentle
| men is that they will not allow their
| prejudices against me TO prevent them
from deciding, upon their merits, ques-
tions relating to the management. the
welfare and advancement of the schools
of this town.
"Thus far have dealt gently with MIR.
Almy. j shall take occasion, later on,
TO say more concerning him In relation
to this matter.
"There is no law-State law-requir-
ing this committee to examine teachers.
No rule or bylaw of this committe states
when teachers shall be examined.
"Miss Ramsge has been unwarrsntably
| and without authority removed from the
school which she has been legally engaged
TO teach and in which she was duly and
properly installed.
"f move that it be ordered by this com
mittee that she be Immediately restored
to her position.
WHAT WAS DONE.
This m motion was seconded by Mr.
Robert Budlong and having been statec
by the chairman was argued by severa
! mem bers OF the board. Mr.. Freeman
stated that there was no law requiring
} the school committees OF towns tha
, have abolished the district system TO ex
anime teachers previous 10 their Desln
ming to teach.
Mr.. Army was given an opportunity o1
stating his side OF tho case, which he die
at some length, and the committee theI
went into executive session to review
Miss Ramage's examination papers. In
executive session it was decided by tn
committee she had not passed the exami
nation.
: Mr.. Dutemple offered the following
resolution as a substitute TO MIR. Free
: | mans motion:
1 Whereas. Miss Rsmsge, who was az
| I.ax~ fot nd 70 mil
fy the local committee are authorize
to procure another teacher.
I; There was also placed on the record
a notice of appeal from the action @
the committee I'm relation TO Mis-
Ramage.
Certain bills were passed and withou
going out OF secret session the committs
adjourned at 12:i0 p. M, after one OF th
Q most exciting and longest sessions eve
y held in the town.