The morning call., 1895-01-16
TEACHERS POLITICS.
Are They Legitimate Or the
Contrary?
DIRECTOR HENDERSON TALKS.
He Believes Schools and Pulls
Should Be Divorced.
BUT RESPECTS PERSONAL OPINION.
School Superintendent A. J. MOulder
Expresses His Indignation.
Other Views.
BUT RESPECTS PERSONAL OPINION.


introduction of what they call the gag
law"
There are very few teachers who do not
hold strong opinions about the pending re-
solutions. Privately they have no objec-
ton to saying what they think, but their
position is such that very few, ii any
OF them, care to come out into the open
and openly assail the resolutions of a man
who for two years to come will WELD vote
and be power III the Board OF Education.
prominent principal gave represen-
tative opinion yesterday. She said en-
phatically; 81 think this is free country,
and | see no reason why teachers should be
exceptions to the rule of freedom. The
School Directors make all the rules that
govern us; we are the ones most interested
in having good board, and if teachers get
into politics they do it to get rid of those
men who are not doing work on
the board that is for the best interests of
the schools.
Probably these resolutions are the re-
suit of the fact that the teachers were
thoroughly organized against Mr.. Hyde at
the last election. There are about 500
teachers here and I think about 604 were
in the Board of Education. We had to get
into politics or see the schools ruined. If
Mr.. Hendersons resolutions are passed
then we, who are the ones most interested
in education, are prohibited from making
our power felt. It's an outrage to deprive
any of us of our rights as Americans.
Then, again. we are supposed to teach
patriotism, but henceforth patriotism
would be a dangerous topic; it might be
construed into politics, and so we should
have to weigh our patriotic words well,
particularly if there were two witnesses
present.
''!f parent comes to me and says: DO
you think Mr.. So-and-so is good man for
School Director" [ must say: oh! [
cannot speak on that subject and, per-
haps, see bad man nominated.
ooh! it would be ridiculous to gag our
mouths in that way. Why, in this part
of town two-thirds of the parents depend
on their teachers, because they think they
know all about it. Ii the resolutions pass
the only thing left for US teachers would
be to go out of town at election time, for
fear we might inadvertently express some
opinion"
Another principal, when asked what he
thought of the proposed gag law" chuc-
killed. with grim satisfaction at what he con-
sidered its humorous side. II wonder
whether any one has thought of the end
less litigation into which it would plunge
US, he said. eff we dabble in politics we
are to be dismissed upon the testimony of
two reputable and competent witnesses
Why, [ could get people to swear they saw
a man murdered if paid them well enough.
Now, take this school, for instance: I have
about 1900 parents to deal with, and fifteen
teachers. Would it not be easy to make
two enemies, who would swear that | had
said something about politics, particularly
if they had friends who wanted my posi-
ton, or coveted it themselves?
eff they did that l should naturally try
to impugn the testimony of those two wit
nesses. l might get hundred men to
come and swear that what they said was
false, and But there! The litigation
would be endless, for every teacher would
fight to keep his position. We should be
so plunged in lawsuits that we should have
no time for anything else. If the Board of
Education intends to pass those resolu-
tons, it had better engage a lawyer per-
manently."
School Director Henderson stated yester-
day that his only object in drawing up the
resolutions was to keep politics and school
teaching as far apart as possible.
81 do not think that politics should enter
into the question of school appointments
at all, y he said 81 wear no political collar
around my neck, and am under no obliga-
by several of them to be on their
ticket during the last campaign 1 refused.
After that they fought against me, but
bear them no ill-will for that"
The School Director further stated that
he had drawn up the resolutions hastily
and that the clause with regard to teachers
being dismissed for the expression of a
to be taken out. "The resolution is not in
tended to limit personal opinion, its real
object is to keep teachers from contribut-
ing money to politics and to keep them
from running round saloons canvassing.
Did they frequent saloons? Why, have
seen one man treat as many as eight of
them at one time.
THAT resolution won't affect seventy
teachers, for most of them are not in poll
tics, though a good many of them are led
by those who are. l want to keep teachers
and the School Department generally out
of politics, for they are as bad for the one
as for the other. The ladies were more
active during the campaign than the men,
and 1t is bad state of affairs when teach
ers, who hold life positions and don't need
politics at all, get into such ruts. | don't
believe in seeing any one going to destruc-
ton if | can help it, and that is why want
to see the resolution passed"
You did not see any lady teachers can
yassing in saloons?" was asked.
well, | would not say | did not" re-
piled H. G. Henderson meditatively. ''To
tell the truth, did see one who was active
as politician in a saloon. | cannot say
whether she was canvassing or not, but 1
certainly saw her there. The whole idea
of teachers canvassing is wrong in my
opinion.
''If a parent came to teacher and asked
who was good man to vote for, think
that teacher should have the right to give
an expression of personal opinion, but he
should not go further than that. The
trouble is, though, that they. don't know
when to stop. When they had defeated
Hyde and Burke why could they not
quit? But no, they plunged in deeper
than ever, and / do not think it is the
right thing in the school department"
What is your opinion of the Henderson
resolution, which has excited so much in
dignation in the School Department, and
which has been given the title OF gag
law ?'' was asked of Superintendent of
Schools Andrew J. Moulder yesterday.
Il am not at present prepared to state
my views on that measure" replied the
superintendent, ''but when 1t comes up in
the Committee on Rules | shall not hest
tate to treat it in the manner it deserves"
After few minutes conversation Super
lntendent Moulder forgot all about his
intention not to speak of the resolution,
for his natural INDIGNATION had got the