The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-10-13
CONTEMPLATION,
The Investigation of the Supervisor
 system

TIC investigation of the supervisor system.
 | To the Editor of the Journal and Courier am mystified by the sudden change of front of the Register on the super- visor question, on the compulsory teach ing of drawing and on the attempt to inject into immature minds homeopa omy, chemistry, etc. When I wrote my letter to the Register last May on this subject it editorially approved of it. Now it ridicules the committee of in- vestigation; it has become a thlck-and- thin admirer of the policy of Superin- tendent Kendall, and lauds him as the best superintendent of schools we have had in ten, fifteen or twenty years. From that last statement l beg leave most courteously but most radically to differ. Superintendent Kendall is more affable, more tactful and more popular man with ordinary citizens than MT. Dutton, but in executive abil- ity, in knowledge of men and princi- pies and in thorough comprehension of the principles of education, Calvin N. Kendall is in my opinion not the equal of Samuel T. Dutton, whose reputation is not local. The Register thinks that Superintendent Kendall put up an inn pregnable rush line in his address on Thursday night I, on the contrary, can see several weak spots, where I could go for several yards without much effort.
 I agree with the Register that the committee have not appeared compe- tent to conduct the investigation ef- Actively, and probably they would &C., knowledge that readily. They are busi- ness men and cannot be expected to know thoroughly the details of our school system. When they discuss them with Superintendent Kendall they are amateurs dealing with an ex- pert. What the committee should have is what other Investigating com mittees have, viz, competent ad- visory counsel familiar with the sub ject of investigation to assist them 4a their work. As I am somewhat fla pliliar with the school system of New Haven, I offered the committee my services as counsel and cross-examiner. but they said that they could not add to their number. If they had accepted my offer I hoped to be able to throw light on some of the dark places. As they did not, then I shall ask the prvi- lege of the open parliament" which is always to be found in the columns of the Register in order to discuss MT. Kendall's and MT. Moran's addresses. MT. Kendall says in his last report that he welcomes all fair and just criticism of his policy. That is the only kind of criticism of men or meas ures, which, so far as I know. have ever allowed myself to indulge in. But while the criticism will be fair and just, I hope to make it searching.
 Although the Investigating committee have informed me that they could not grant my request as they have no power to add to their number, they have requested me to appear before them on Tuesday evening next to give my views on the subject. That invita- tion shall gladly accept.
 I differ from the Register in my be- lief that the investigation has been a
 
 seemed to some. And I know that this investigation represents substantial grievance, which it is proper to ven tilate and discuss.
 I must also protest against the posi- | tion assumed by MT Moran when I | was present at the hearing that Su perintendent Kendall is not to be criti | csed by any citizen before the commit 1 tee. No jumping on the superntend | ent" were his exact words, I believe I l see no reason why Superintendent Ken dall should not be subject to proper 1 criticism as we'll as any other official, l The new charter very unfortunately | makes him dictator as to the appoint 1 ment and removal of subordinates, and 1 if such a man cannot be directly criti- | cised, why then we are living under a | tyranny. GEORGE l.. FOX.