The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-20
MOTHERS OF HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS
Protest Against Proposed Dismissal
Of Some of the Teachers.

Protest Against Proposed Dismissal
Of Some of the Teachers,
To The st. Paul Globe:
AS mothers of young people who are now
or have been students in the Central high
schcol. we wish to protest against the pro-
posed action of Mr.. Smith in seeking the re-
moval of some of its most efficient teachers
Inc ability offtthese teachers and the high
character Of the work done by them has not
been questioned even by Mr. Smith himself
Ike rumor OF their possible discharge has
aroused storm of indignant protest from ali
quarters OF the city, well as from those
WHO nave gone out as former gradua les to
more more distant points: Among the latter we
nave the testimony that the preparation given
them Tor entering higher institutions was
more complete along the lines taught by
t s same women than in any other. They
nave all Of them been long enough in the
school Tor the results of their work to have
been thoroughly tested. That these very
teachers have established a reputation
troroughness in the class ROOM for quick
Dright ways of arousing drowsy intellects and
TOT inspiring their pupils with high ideals of
S Who hsna are fac:s well known to those
WHO nave any knowledge of our school
MhaI, then, are the reasons for the pro-
posed changes? The only one we nave heard
80 sc lar is Mr.. Smiths impressions that The
INK ence exerted in the school was harm
1uL what! Is it possible that he would
make changes vital to the interests Of
~ school, Offering no better guaranty OF
gooe to the pubic than his IMPRESSIONS
Surely. Mr.. Editor the fear of retrogrcs
sion IN our school policy is being ALREADY
r re ~ we do not think that the patrons
CT the superintendent and principal as well
as those OF the teachers. will support him in
mus Meakenlng its forces. ere not both the
superintendent and the school board nrone
to lose sight OF the fact that thew are the
servants of the people? 1t looks to us some
times as if they quite misunderstood fhair
posltlons considering that they are at liberty
matters " Niiooi
Indeed we understand that some of The
poard claim that it is the superintend ant's
pace to devise his own plans and their Mac
to approve. p-"Ne
vi, II tnese gentlemen take their positions
' WIN predetermined ideas of supporting the
views or the superintendent withou. the fx-
pendlture of time and thought in disco.ysr
ing the mos. effective educational system
then they are not fulfilling their obligations
With regard to the infuerca of teachers in
the schooi, we believe there are none SO we'll
aole tt Juese as the mo:hers. Cert1iny we
ouced than PRINCIPAL who has lit e per
scnal contact with his pupils We m t5ers
near what is said OF this or that teacher. of
her opinions expressed Of public characters
ana evSnts. CT books and periodicals. of civ
ana school affairs we'll as of those rer-
tanning to the habits and studies OF the chi d
influence each teacher is having in mold
ing the character Of our children and tae bent
being given to their future career.
Ihere are scores OF mothers ready to test ~
that the influence of the teachers now I'M
Ger consideration is both elsvating and en-
nobling; that they teach our children a con-
tempt for deceit and meanness and do all
in their rower to inspire in them dssirss TO.
true maniiness ard womanliness We be 1--we
teere are no teachers to whom the scholars
go so frequently with their little confid snces
and when feeling the need of advice W.
mothers would be glad indeed if such .'influ-
ences' emanated from all of the other ass
rooms.
1t is hard to avoid the conclusion that GER
sonal motives or prejudices are a. the bot
tom of this matter. 1t would not sem
strange to those who know them we'll. If
these women, with their wel.-known IDEAS
of scholarship and character. should not al
ways have countenanced certain things c.
curing in the school, sanctioned by action
If not by word of the prime pal We can
readily imagine that if his ideas regarding
these matters CHANGED to bs less sc-upuious
than their own. he migat find them u7Gs-
s1rabe persons to have among his faculty
But. now that their relations will BE- IN r.
distant 1t would hardly seem worth while
to remove them. unless he desires 10 sstisfv
a feeling of petty revenge for some possible
attitude of theirs in the past
Many Mothers.