The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-22
PREPARING FOR
THE MINE BOYS
How Best to Care for Them in the
Schools During the Strike Pc
riod Under Consideration

AT meeting of the teachers com
mittcc. held last night, Superintcnd-
ont of the city Schools Howell's
suggestion was discussed of secur-
ing number Of Rnnexcs through
out the city and utilizing them for the
mine boys, who are now idle. After
conStdetahlcs discussion IT was decided
10 allow them to attend the regular
public schools, for awhile a least
superintendent HOWells idea is to
leave the night schools remain closed
and, as all the city schools are pretty
well filled. to establish annexes for the
throngs Of driver boys. slatepckers.
and other young workers in the mines
who are thrown out of employment by
the strike. Extra teachers, he argues,
could be secured for these annexes.
and when the boys go back to work.
the names of these teachers could he
stricken from the city payroll
When this plan was presented to the
board, after remarks from several
members Of the committee, Mr Glib
bons arose and made a motion to the
effect that on account of the uncer-
tainty of the length of the strike, it
would be inadvisable to make any ar
y.
which would involve a large amount
Of funds He then moved that the
public schools be thrown open to the
mine boys, Monday and they he al
lowed TO receive instruction at the
same schools as the other pupils. Night
schools, he said, should be continued.
In case the strike continues any length
or time, other arrangements can be
made.
The motion was passed. At present,
however, all the city schools are very
we'll filled. and it is doubtful if very
many Of the little fellows now out of
work can he taken care of at dav
school.
An important step was taken by the
committee regarding the question of
night schools, when Captain Mays
motion that hereafter night school
teachers be subject to the same eX-
aminations and must fiji the same re-
Guirements as day school teachers.
When Captain May made the motion,
several of the members of the COM
mittee looked as though they thought
it rather an unnecessary Improvement.
and Mr.. Jayne remarked that by thus
raising the standard several really
competent teachers of night school will
be lost to the city and good deal of
trouble caused in the replacing of
them.
Mr. Gibbons was on his feet in an
instant, however, and remarked: "I
think the motion is an excellent one.
The better qualified the teacher is.
the more respect he commands from
MS pupils. Unless the lads who go to
night school, and who are as a rule
sharp and keen young Americans,
feel that the man over them knows
more than they do, no good can be
accomplished in the school room"
Mr. Jayne withdrew his objection,
and the motion was seconded and
passed.
Mr. Gibbons made a motion to the
effect that al! students who wish to
attend night school, which will open
In the early part of November, be
made to register with the secretary
OF the board. Either the boys or their
parents or guardians, he claimed,
should be compelled to give a writ
ten acknowledgment that they would
attend school. His object in making
the motion was the fact that every
year there is a great influx of boys
wishing to attend the night sessions.
The attendance rapidly falls off, and
comparatively few of the lads finish
the term. Mr.. Gibbons argued that all
boys who are earnest in their deter
mination to secure an education, would
be willing to go to the extra trouble
OF going to the secretary's office and
registering, or in case they worked, be-
ing represented by their parents or
guardians.
Captain May seconded the motion,
and Mr. Eynon objected, saying that
it was too much, TO request boys liv-
ing in North or West Scranton to go
to so much pains to register, and de-
clared that they should be allowed to
sign with the principals of the schools
in their districts Nj. Gibbons mo-
tion was carried, Mr.. Eynon's being
the only dissenting voice.
Action was suspended by the COM
mittee on the request OF Mrs. Barnes,
to give music lessons to the other
teachers