The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-12

City superintendent of Schools Carr
on Saturday evening reiterated his re-
fusal TO allow the privilege of a re-
examination to the substitute teachers
and others who failed to pass the re-
cent examination as candidates for
positions in the city schools.
Mr.. Carr gave his refusal to three
members of the Carbondale school
board. President Hughes, Secretary
Kerwin and Director Gallagher. at A
conference which was held for the pur-
pose of an understanding as to the
seeming conflict of the superintendent
with the wishes of the board, in this
matter. As was pointed out in The
Tribune last week, Mr.. Carr notified
one of the teachers who failed that
there would he no examination AS
was also pointed out, the board at one
of it's meetings prior 10 this requested
the superintendent to allow a re-ex-
animation, and expected Mr.. Carr to
concur in its wishes. This the super
intendent Was not disposed to do.
Judging from his communication to
the unsuccessful teacher referred to.
and il was to ascertain the why and
wherefore of his refusal that the three
directors, MesSrs. Hughes, Kerwin and
Gallagher, met with him on Saturday
evening.
The meeting was truly out of the
ordinary and in striking contrast with
the usual position OF the directors.
who, given such wide discretion under
the law, transact their business with
odt fear of encountering a snag In
this instance it was different. Here
WAS a notable exception for in Super
intendent Garr's steadfast refusal they
did meet with "A stumbling block which
try as they could. the trio were not
able TO pass safely. The three direc-
tors argued with Mr. Carr they urged
suggestion after suggestion upon him,
then they took the singular position,
as school directors, of fairly plea aiding
with him of making a supplement ap-
peal, il can he said, for another chance
for the unsuccessful teachers But
Mr.. Carr was unmoved He persisted
in his refusal. and in emphasizing his
reasons for the position he had taken.
he displayed that firmness of purpose
which, as called attention to in The
Tribune, he is known tn possess where
in he believes he is right. Like the
laws Of the Medes and Persians. which
once made known, are altered NOT.
Mr.. Cars decision was not to be
shaken by the wind and was not to be
changed by the arguments OF the ener-
getic directors, who exhausted all of
their resources in order 10 reverse him
in favor Of the unsuccessful class
The position taken by Mr. Carr wa g
that he declared before the examina
iions took place that there would be
no -examna tion. Having made this
decision, after considering all the cir
cumstances, he would be unfair 10 him
self and would not he consistent If he
was to alter this decision.
The directors pointed out 10 Mr.
Carr that The first year he was in Office
he allowed A re-examination for those
who failed, and that a spirit of fair
ness should move him TO grant the
same privilege to those who were un.
successful this year. Mr.. Carr ad.
mitted the truth Of the statement thai
he allowed a second examination the
hrst year but in explanation said /,
was due TO the circums tance that ht
was stranger as II were to the teach
ers that they were unacquainted with
him and his methods, and were conse
quently nervous and apprehensive
. Taking this into account, he was no
averse To a second examination, anc
was even anxious that the teachers
would not suffer on this account Thi
year he further asserted. he gave /
to be understood beforehand that ther
weuld be no re-examinatio and as h
believed that torewarned was fore