The herald., 1898-05-09
POWER OF MONEY
ALLEGED Inducements TO THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION
PfNMANSHIP SYSTEM
RIVAL FIRMS ANXIOUS TO IN
TRoDUCE THEIR METHODS
NATURAL AND CALIFORNIA
Principals Recommend the Former and
Fight Is Being Made for the
Latter-Tonight's Meeting

Fight Is Being Made Tor the
Latter-Tonight's Meeting
Tonight's meeting of the board of educa-
ton will be very interesting one to the
general public, If business that will prob
ably come before the board can be taken as
q criterion.
The mooted matter of the excellence of
several systems of handwriting will likely
AFFORD the principal discussion and debate,
and in this apparently very simple matter
the intimated interest lies. rhe selection
of the system to be used in the public
schools of this city for the next four years
means much to parents who have children
in any school here, and it concerns them
what the board of education may do in
the matter.
Some weeks ago, it will be recalled, the
board invited the representatives of pub
fishing houses to appear at one Of its meet
ings and explain the merits of the systems
Of handwriting they are exploiting. The
result was so close comparison of speech
and argument by these agents that the
board could not decide from their remarks
which of the systems is the best
After q lapse of a week or ten days, the
members of the board resolved upon one of
two system, but were yet, however, un-
decided as to which was preferable. Not
being able, apparently, to solve the difficult
ty to their own satisfaction, they submitted
It for recommendation to the principals of
the schools of the city.
Eocboy 20 llod r,aattp ~
of his assistants and had them give their
individual opinions from observation as
teachers as to what system of writing they
thought was easiest for the beginner and
could also be used for all grades.
The initial meeting was an informal one,
and the arguments advanced were neither
scholarly nor thorough, for none of the
principals, presumably, had investigated
the subject. Realizing this, a meeting was
called for week later, with the under
standing that in the meantime they make
research and study.
The second assembling of principals was
the final one. They came prepared with
notes, reference matter and statistics, the
result being prolix dissertations on hand
writing as it was and as it should be, to all
Of which Mr.. Braly of the board Of educa-
ton, who presided, had to listen to.
Discussions Of the subject lasted we'll
into the evening. and about 5 o'clock, ar
gument being exhausted, a vote was taken.
To this day 1t is uncertain how many
principals were present. Some say but 49,
while others favor the number so. The
choice for final recommendation to the
board at this stage was between the sys-
tenn known as the natural" exploited by
Boston house through their Pacific coast
agent, and the other designated the "Cal-
ifornia" or poppy" system, published
by San Francisco house. Both, however,
are vertical systems.
The vote resulted "a or 35-the exact num-
ber is undetermined-to IA in favor of the
natural system. A motion was made that
the recommendation be made unanimous,
and that Messrs. Braly and Davis be asked
to acquaint the board with the determina-
ton of the principals. To this motion
there was but one dissenter-Mark Keppel.
principal of the Union avenue school.
With such an overwhelming majority in
favor of the natural system, it was thought
at the time that the matter was definitely
settled so far as the principals were con-
cerned. But not so. There are rumors
now that many teachers have repudiated
their vote, or are intending to, for the pur-
pose of shifting it to the opposition. And
it is also reported that some claim that
the decision of the principals was for some
reason, which, however, Is not explicitly
explained, irregular.
Now rumor shifts to the members of the
board of education. 1t is said that influence
In the shape Of money is being brought to
bear on them t9ssetp side the .recommenda-
ton of the principals, and by doing so Sc
lect for the next four years the "Califor-
mia" system.
There is no reason to believe that the
principals were not sincere in their con-
clusion or that they were trammeled in
any way. This being the case, in the or
binary course of things they should be
able to Judge better Of the value of a
system of handwriting, being teachers
than members of the board of education
who have a surface knowledge of these
things, are not brought in daily contact
with them, and judge and speak theo-
retically.
The public looks to the members of the
board of education, tof pay the regard to
the recommendation of these principals
that their experience merits. 1t is prob
able that only seven members will be pres
ent at the meeting tonight, and If they
disapprove the suggestion of the principals
of the public schools in the matter of a
new system Of handwriting, the public
will have reason to suspicion the board of
education.
1t is charged that there is $1,000 here to
be used to defeat the selection of the mat
ural'' system and that more money can
be had for the same purpose If 1t is needed.
Rumors of bribery and crookedness in con-
nection with this matter are heard every
where.
The contract for the four years will ag-
gregate about $4,000, or $1250 annually,
TIM 1Jnnt 9.|6&