The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1896-06-25
The Board of Education.

olHC6 Iue elecllOu, some Ilfee weeks
ago, of teachers for our schools for the
ensuing year, there has been some talk
concerning the action of the Board of
Education which questioned the mo-
tiyes governing the board in its selec-
ton of teachers and other matters.
The Staff of June 18th and 18th con
tanned communications from w. X.
Martin and others eriticizing the action
of the board in selecting teachers for
the ensuing scholastic year, and in
order that justice might be done all
parties concerned q COMET representa-
tive called upon the secretary of the
board, Mr.. j. Il. Brading, and inter
rogated him concerning the matter in
question.
Reporter Mr.. Brading, we would
like to have you explain, among other
things, the charges made by Mr.. w. X.
Martin in his communication to the
Staff, wherein he claims that the Board
of Education Disseminated against him
in the selection of teachers?
Mr.. Brading One of the reasons why
Mr.. Martins petition was ignored was
because he applied for principal
ship, and the Board of Education has
no such position at its disposal After
looking through Webster's unabridged
dictionary without finding a definition
Of the word, we concluded that he
probably wanted to be a sailor, and
desired a position on the principal
ship'of some feet or squadron; and had
he not rescued his application and sub
mitted it to the staff, we should have
forwarded it to the secretary of the
navy. If other reasons are wanted by
Mr.. Martin he can easily secure them
from other members of the board.
Reporter-Is it true, Mr.. Brading,
as charged in the communication signed
by Patron" that the board had
slate made out before the examination
and election of teachers.
Mr.. Brading Had such a charge
been made by reputable patron of the
school, over his own name, we would
certainly give it the attention it would
then deserve; but life is too short and
time too precious to waste in replying
to anonymous criticisms.
Reporter Brading, what kind
of examinations did those teachers
stand who were elected?
Mr.. Brading Eleven of the teachers
who were elected stood the examination,
ten of them receiving the highest grade.
One of those elected did not receive
such high grade, but was chosen be-
cause of her we'll known proficiency i'll
primary work. The four remaining
teachers elected were not present, but
will be required to undergo examina-
ton later on.
Reporter 1t is charged by some that
you had a favorite for the office of
superintendent, and when you heard of
a petition being circulated among the
citizens to retain the present one, be-
fore it could reach you meeting was
called and the office was abolished. Is
that fact?
Mr.. Brading-It is fact that the
office of superintendent was abolished,
and it is also true that on the same day
this was done the board was unexpect-
eddy compelled to borrow money to
meet the May salaries, and the neces-
sity of abolishing the Office was SO ap-
parent that the board voted unanimous
ly to do SO. This cause had previously
been urged by resolution of the city
council and by request of numerous
citizens. The board would have taken
this action regardless of any petition.
The spirit of criticism is probably the
result of an attack of "sour grapes"
Mr.. Brading smiled as he turned to
dispose of his morning mail, and the
reporter retired.