The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-10-29
Ed. The INDEPENDENT

Ed. The INDEPENDENT:-
Dear Sir:-I hope you will find
room in your columns for few re-
marks | should like to make in
regard to the refusal Of the Board
OF Education, to pay Miss Coursen's
substitute, and also the expenses Of
removal Of poor school-master TO
another station, appointed for him by
the Board.
In regard to Miss Coursen, the
matchless primary school-teacher of
Honolulu, after good and faithful
work under the Hawaiian Govern
ment for so many years past, she has
only just lately been nominated
principal Of her department aud re-
ceived little raise of salary, upon
which she has many demands, and
for which she is very thankful. But
now, after only three weeks trial OF
new school house, "buiH after the
most Improved american Styie," owing
to its serving as dollhouse in this
tropical cline, che is threatened with
blindness, and many Of her pupils
have been kept home by their
parents because their young eyes
were also in danger OF the same
calamity. Yet, when she most just
ly asks for the above mentioned
slight consideration, while many OF
her friends considers she has just
grounds to sue the Board for dam
ages, the cold, grinding answer
comes that, as it would be "a bad
precedemt," the request must not be
granted!
"a bad precedent" Upon how
many honorable teachers will not
these words fall harshly7 In the
first place, the circumstances of the
case are quite exceptional, for it is to
b. hoped that after one experience
the hot house plan will no longer be
in vogue here for school buildings,
aud in the second place, the teachers
might ask the Board what they take
them to be, that they should find it
necessary to take such precautions
as to deny worthy, lone woman
legitimate help in her time Of severe
trial and need?
The Board OF Education, partly
com posed of persons who are them
selves parents Of families, has taken
measures to see that the substitutes
for teachers be properly paid when
ever employed, aud this consider
alton OF them is very just and kind.
We are told that the reasons assign
ed for making the teachers give up
two thirds of their salaries to pay
their substitutes were, to prevent
them from taking leave OF absence
too long at one time when only for
pleasure, which, if some OF them
have been thoughtless enough to do
is very reasonable, for they would
be among friends gaining health
and strength for resuming their
school duties. But has the Board
some of whose members have them
selves been teachers, no parental
feelings for the worthy teacher who
does not stay away for trivial causes
aud especially for one who through
their o,un management is completely
) unable to continue her work2 But
it seems they have 'Jailed TO see ii "a
that light"
In regard to the removal of Ger
, tain school master to new field o
labor, the precaution against the
"bad prccedent," again jars upon the
? teachers ear! Does not the Gov
eminent that pays the teachers lit
> tie salaries, bountifully provide The
3 employee in high position with extr;
funds for all the moves be is calico
upon to make out of his common
routine OF duty, and does not tina
money come out of the same revenu
as that from which the teachers ar
paid? The Board OF Education i