The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-08
R,e-Elect DR.. Phillips.


The prospect that the Board of Con-
troll will rc-clect George w. Phil
lips principal of the High School
will be approved by the great body OF
the citizenship of Scranton and by none
more cordially than by the pupils who
have passed under his supervision. That
there have been unnecessary frictions
I'm the High School and that possibly
DR. Phillips may 'in some minor mat
ters have been forgetful of the some
what yoluminous instructions issued 10
him at various times may be conceded
without affecting the fact that in its
main results his supervision of the
High Schools work has been admirably
successful.
ON the first day of last May, referring
to the campaign for the city superlh-
tendency then in progress, The Tribune
said and now takes pleasure in re-
peatirg: "Thc city Of Scranton is cX-
Ccodmely fortunate in having two mon
So well placed as arc Principal Phillips
and Superintendent Howell The for
mcr has made of the new hiSh school
something more than mere jumping
or place in the public school route; he
has made il a radatinE center of the
entire educational system uf the com
munity. sending uplifting currents or
energy and inspiration in every d.
rection. He has done SO well in SO
brief a time that in all Kindness we feel
constrained to suggest that for the
city's sake ne should not he disturbed.
The high school is by no means fin
ished work. It has yet to be broadened
end improved. Professor Phillips all
must admit, is pre-eminently the man
to continue the immediate personal di-
rection of this evolutionary process
and on the professional side it consti-
tutes by no means an inadequate ambi-
ton"
The city If Scranton is greatly in
d.bted 10 George W. Phillips. 1t owes
largely to him the Introduction into the
work of its schools of the modern edu'
cational methods and principles which
today have the approval of the sub
etantial elements in the community
hold of the schools were Cons!icuous
chiefly by their absence. So far as
one individual deserves credit for a
progressive movement necessarily in
Volving the cooperation of many, he
deserves it for putting the administra
lion of our schools upon the right track
and for initiating the merit system IN
place Of the wholesale and summary
dismissal Of teachers for politica
causes which prevailed without dis
guisc prior to his accession to the city
superintendcncy dozen years age
Whatever allowance of recognition
must he made to others for subsequen
developments in this direction, to III,
pioneer i'm this Vitally necessary worl
Of reconstruction ali friends of educa
tion owe permanent debt of graft
tude
For this reason it is intensely un
pleasant that a feeling of estrangemen
should have developed between DIR
Phillips and superintendent Howell 81
far as to enter into and embarrass thci
character and standing better thing
are to be expected, and may not un
reasonably b. demanded. The time i
opportune t. point out to all COncernc,
that personal preferences and preju
dicoS must be subordinated and unit
Of effort among all administrative of
fiCers in the schools must be enforced
Some Of the causes contributing I
past dscorG can be obviated i'm rutur
if the pecTl" of Scranton viii elect t
represent tknIn on the Board Of CuntrC
men Of judicial temperament ana
sincere ana intelligent interest in tn
welfare Of ~" schools, instead of me
ready to enter upon moments motto
into factioral mtrigucs and eager t
create factiolal divisions among teach
ers and their friends, When the schoC
board itself is rent by fcuds and con
Quoted on the principle OF TO the vic
tors belong the spoils" it is futile I
hope for harmony among the men an
women they put IT, charge OF schO,
work. The peanut type of poiitcia
has no place on any school board, lea.
of all on one charged with administer
ing the educational interests of l2OOC
people. Until this type is eliminate
there win he trouble at frequent inter
walls Of the kind which now fills wit
displcasure every intelligent citizen I
Scranton.
MlIh % nnn Christian EndnaNnr hnlt