The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-24
Surprise IN The meeting
Superintendent Of Schools Phillips
Sent in His Resignation.
THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT IT
Controllers We're Slow to Realize What
Had Happened. but Finally Laid tho
Resignation on the Tablc-lIids
for New No. 10 School.

for New No. 10 School.
If bomb had exploded in last
nights meeting of the board of control
ii could scarcely have caused more as
tonishment than did the resignation OF
Superintendent of Schools George w.
Phillips.
1t could not be learned that any con-
troller knew of what was, coming, and
all We're so surprised that Mr.. NotzS
motion, made In a stupeiied sort Of
way, that the resignation be accepted
would have been allowed to prevail had
not Mr.. Evans been the first to recover
equilibrium and amend by moving that
the resignation be tabled The motion
prevailed although a few half audible
noes" Were heard in the room.
Superintendent Phillips letter was as
follows:
Members of the Board of Control:
Gentlemen-The responsibilities OF my
work are So eNact.ng and the strain of Of
lice so seriously affecting my health that
l am compelled to tender my resignation
as superintendent of schools under your
supervision.
| have put too much of myself into the
schools of this caty during the past
eleven years. three as teacher and eight
as superintendent, not to have deep feei-
sight.
Work That Has Been Done.
AS but two of your present body We're
in service at my election eight years ago,
you cannot be expected no fully appreciate
the great changes that have been accom-
plshed, nor what IL has cost TO bring the
schools to their present efficiency. There
is very much yet to be done many weak
places need r,ldjustment, yet, notwtth-
standing all deficiencies in the system
the schools of this city have progressed
as rapidly in the past eight years as
would ordinarily occur in two decades.
cannot close without bearing record to
the loyalty of the teachers in your employ
and the almost universal desire on Their
part to do whatever has been suggested
fer the Improvement of the schools. Much
of the teachers best effort cannot be re-
vealed. and oftentmes the sympathy and
co-ops ration needed to keep her at her
best Is wanting.
That there may be no emba IRA ssment In
electlng my successor and that the schools
may not suffer through lack of proper or
ganizat!on for the year. / would suggest
that my resignation take effect Nov. !.
Thanking YOU for the many favors re-
ceived at your hands and with best wishes
for the continued prosperity or the
schools, am, respectfully yours,
George W. Phillips.
Scranton. Pa, Sept. 2S
Controllers We're NonpIusscd.
Secretary Fellows alone knew the con-
tents of the letter, and his knowledge
dated only from the afternoon. His
voice trembled on the first line and he
gave other outward and visible sign. or
a weighty piece of business contained
in the letter. which after being read
left the controllers nonplussed and took
the edge off any half-hearted skirmishes
later.
It was several very long seconds be-
fore Mr.. Notz, in a low-voiced, subjec-
tive manner moved that the resignation
be accepted. Some unknown was sec
onder, and while President Carson put
the motion Mr.. Evans found his voice
and brought his confreres back to con-
seriousness by moving In an unmistak-
able tones that the resignation be laid
on the table The motion prevailed
and the further business of the even"
ing continued.
Mr.. Phillips gets s.. 500 per year salary.
Until a few weeks ago he had never had
any serious differences with the control
ling body of the schools. but recently he
was fatty crossed in the appointment
and transfer of several teachers. The
opinion expressed last night by con-
troller near to the superintendent, but
who requested The Tribune reporter not
to publish his name, may throw some
llSnl UIl lHt Idttti. sttiu'
What a Controller said.
professor Phillips resignation, i be-
lieye, is only the natural outcome of re-
cent hamperings and petty crosS-play.
He Is of nervous temperament, and,
while not super-sensitve, has been set
at odds and ends by very foolish inter-
ference with his Office. This interfer-
ence was slight and would have amount
ed to nothing, but 1t came at time
when Professor Phillips was Overbur-
dened with work and nervous. and to
one who understands the situation the
outcome Is not surprising"
Various conjectures were offered by
other controllers before leaving the
building. Some intimated that the su-
perintendent has a definite business In
view, and one member ventured the
opinion that the paragraph in the
resignation relating to the growth and
advancement of the schools during the
superintendent's regime Is direct slap
at the few controllers who have criti-
cised him.
Matter OF DUTY TO Himself.
A reporter for The Tribune called
upon Mr.. Phillips last evening at his
home on North Sumner avenue. Mr..
Phillips was questioned as to his rea-
He said that the action was caused as
a matter OF duty to himself physically:
that the mental strain OccasiOned by
the increasing responsibilities of the Of
flee had caused physical collapse.
"I have considered the matter for
several months he said, land had de-
cided to resign some time ago. but the
requirements of my Office would not
permit me to leave until the present
time Some weeks ago was compelled
to desist entirely from duty because of
an utter collapse In body. / realized
that I must resign the Office or endure
severe physical consequences. and my
action was taken for this reason only.
When Il Is considered that every re-
sponsibility in the public school Sys-
TEN rests upon the superintendent of
schools and that he Is without an as
sistant of any kind, but must meet all
requirements alone, my step Will not
create surprise.
"There are about 2o0 teachers and
20, 900 pupils. Each day my office is the
scene of frequent vsitations from
some of these teachers the pupils or
their parents. Every dispute Is re-
ferred to the superintendent, and the
whole system resolves itself upon his
Office in some way or other.
Duties Have Increased.
81 seldom leave my Office before $40
in the evening and my home Is visited
every evening by many persons on busi-
ness connected with my duties. This
etrasn to man of my temperament has
been too great and I must resign.
When / assumed control OF the Office
eisht years ago, the school system was
very crude as compared to that of the
present day. With new improvements
came new responsibilities and the work
has become cOrrespond!ngly arduous.
Though believe that the remuneraIt ion
of the office has not been commensurate
with the duties thereof, yet this has
not caused my resignation. I do not
criticize the salary in any respect.
Whatever by opinions may be. While
other salaries have advanced with the
rocpo uq fr'1fft loo fvppocad that nf