The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-02-19
superintendent o. A. Wright, of the

personal letter 10 tne eulJOr Vi lHe elNeWS-
Democrat, concerning the gum shoe
proposition that has agitated the peo-
pie for some days and concerning other
matters that have been incidentally re-
ferred to in the News-Democrat. While
the letter is personal in nature, permis-
sion is given by the writer to use such
parts of 1t, as will be noted, ito get
true statement of the question before
the people" In his letter Mr.. Wright
has presented his contentious clearly
and in all probability in the manner
that he intends them to appear, and as
1t would be presumptuous to'attempt to
array the contentious in different
fashion, it is deemed fairer to assemble
them just as Mr.. Wright has assembled
them, necessitating the printing of the
letter in full. The letter follows:
Editor News-Democrat
After reading the news editorial and
the comments in your "Melange" col
umn, am convinced that you are writ
ing under a very great misapprehen-
sion. l, therefore, state to you in this
communication, the facts. A few days
ago one of the most prominents shoe mer-
chants of Canton asked very popular
teacher in the Canton schools to pre-
sent to me for him proposition to buy
the cast off over-shoes of the pupils at
market price which varies from three
to four cents. When the teacher pre-
sented the proposition l did not look
upon it with much favor, vet l stated
that would bring it to the attention Of
the principals. After thinking the
proposition over, however, and talking
with the principal of the high school,
and two or three other friends, as to the
probable objections to the plan, placed
the proposition before the principals
without recommendation. None of the
details for carrying out the plan were
arranged, and in presenting it to the
principals l stated to them that we were
not prepared to give a direction upon
the matter but that If any of them had
thought or saw any possible objection
to the scheme should like to havethem
express it freely. Fourteen principals
were present; twelve of them said that
they could see no objection. One other
said that he thought it was probably
not advisable, yet he knew of no great
objection to it, while another said that
he thought we would better not attempt
the plan. Immediately after meeting
the principals met the teachers of the
for the performance of which we had
met, I said to the teachers that this prop
osition had been presented, and that
while was not ready to give direc-
ton concerning it, would like to have
their Judgment. Fully two-thirds of
the teachers, without knowing any Of
the details of the plan, by arising, stated
that they could see no objection to it.
Four teachers, by arising. said that
they thought the plan would not meet
with favor and that objections would
be found. A number of the teachers
did not vote. Several of those who did
not vote said to me that they did not
vote because they had not time to think
the proposition over and did not know
whether they were in favor of it or op
posed to it. After this vote had been
taken again said that l was not
ready to give any direction concerning
the matter. Probably five minutes were
taken to discuss the matter at the prin-
cipals' meeting, and ! do not think
that so long time was taken at the
teachers meeting. The proposition
came to me from the shoe merchant in
good faith, and 1 asked for the judg-
Inent of the teachers in good faith. The
newspapers have settled many of the
details for us which had not even been
thought of or presented at the meetings
OF the teachers. Three persons have
said to me within the last couple of
days, that they had seen the plan tried
in other places and that they had no
objection whatever to offer. AS a
matter OF fact, talking about old cloths
and old hats and rubber-necks, is no
argument against the plan. / have
never given my decision in the matter,
and have never intended to, until had
first consulted very carefully, first with
Z the principals and then with the board
of education. / took the occasion of
the meeting OF the teachers the other
night, to get their judgment II you
= zee any serious wrong in this procedure,
3 all of which was done in perfect good
faith, should be very glad to have you
roint It out. 1t is very easy for you to
e call the schools farce, but ! am sure
that II will not be so easy for you when
you come to compare the Canton
schools with other schools of the state
and OF the country, to find valid ground.
In my talk the other night, In which /
pointed out the defects OF the Canton
school system. did not criticise teach
ers or board in ali unfriendly way. l
h stated clearly that there was far more
4 OF good, and that 1t would be much
pleasanter to call attention to the
strong points In our system, but we
!, we're advising together to remedy some
apparent defects. just as believe
y tsachers and superintendent should ad-
"a Wise together. Strive as earnestly as
4 ne may. and as ir,telligently as 1t ls
uossiblc, we shall never feel quite
{ satisfied no doubt. The spirit Of pro-
< xxo1s marks the great teaching force OF
{hln city, and after laboring with them
1oorly two years, / find that In most
1encsg TO point out defects to the