The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-13

tuc dctiOn Oh tuS StHoOt CofuIhttCts "
8 resolution dismissing Horace s. Tia
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The members OF the association ex-
pressed great deal OF indignation, and
addresses were made by several gentle
men who claimed that the attitude OF the
school committee was likely to prove de-
trimental to the welfare OF the public
schools.
The most interesting feature OF the
meeting was perhaps, the report of the
special committee, which gave the cor
respondence between the association and
President Barney of the school commit
tee. which was as follows:
COMMITTEES REQUEST.
Providence, r. l., Feb. 10, 1902.
Mr.. Walter II. Barney, president OF the
school committee of the city OF Provi-
dence:
Dear Sir-The executive committee of
the Providence Public Education associa-
tion has requested the undersigned TO act
as a special committee TO communicate
with you concerning the recent action OF
the school committee In regard TO
change in the ONCE of the superintendent
OF public schools. The executive COM
mittee of the association begs the favor
OF a more full and definite statement OF
the grounds for the action taken than was
furnished I'm the reports which appeared
in the public press.
The vagueness OF the charges accom-
panying the resolution passed by the
school committee did not seem to offer an
adequate explanation OF the summary dis
missal OF a superintendent who for Is
years has served the city with conspicu-
Gus ability.
We would therefore respectfully request
that, IL possible. you favor the executive
committee of the association, with an in
terview and make a fuller statement OF
the reason for the proposed change, or
that you otherwise convey TO them such
statement.
In making this request We beg you 10
consider that the Providence Public Edu-
cation association was formed TO render
disinterested and non-partisan service TO
the cause OF public education OF the city,
and that a matter affecting so vitality the
welfare OF our schools must deeply inter-
est the members of the organization Hop
ing that we may receive a favorable re-
sponse, we are. Yours truly.
WALTER G. EVERETT.
WILLIAM G. BAKER,
ANNIE III. BARUS.
MR.. BARNEY's REPLY.
To this communication the following
reply was received:
Providence. r. L., Feb. 12, 1902
Professor Walter @. Everett Hon. Will
liam c. Baker. Mrs. Carl Barus. special
committee for the executive committee
OF the Providence Public Education as
sociation Providence, r. l.;
Dear Sirs and Madam-Your commune
cation of the 10th inst, requesting more
full and definite statement OF the GROUNDS
for the action taken by the school COM
lag ft1na
by me yesterday after some delay oc-
casioned by your sending IL TO my resi-
dence instead OF my pfhce.
Although IL is addressed To me as presi-
dent OF the school committee. you must
be aware that | have no official authori-
Nv 70 sneak for the committee in regard
TO the matter TO which YOU refer. and no
power TO give the reasons which iniu-
enced my associates TO cast their respec-
tive votes either for or against the reso-
luton in question.
have no reason TO doubt that the other
"a members voted with a due regard to
their oaths OF office and with the same
desire of promoting the best interests OF
the public schools as myself: further than
this IL would be presumption for me TO
speak for them.
am ready to state, either privately or
publicly, the reasons which influenced
me to vote for the resolution, provided
there isakny good and adequate purpose
to be subserved by such statement.
Your request Is, in substance, an invi-
-tation for me to prefer charges against
the superintendent, and do not think
that the interest of your association In
the welfare of the schools and the desire
OF your members to be better Informed
on the subject, which are tn ereasons you
advance for taking such step. are suf-
hcient to justify II.
Inasmuch as the body, which Is by law
sWA1 and fFaA N a ~ a.
ment OF the schools. has by an over
whelmins majority declared that. i'm It's
opinion. the best interests OF the public
schools require that there should be n
change in the office OF the superintendent
fail to see what advantage there can
be To anyone in formulating or discussing
specific charges against DR.. Tarbeii
Regretting that IL does not seem 10 me
proper to comply with your request. but
assuring you of my desire to give your
association every facility within my power
20 aid it in rendering the service to the
cause OF public education for which IL
was organized. ! remain. very truly
yours, WALTER H. bANNEf'
ACTION CONDEMNED.
The report OF the special committee
goes on TO say: I'm the absence OF any
charges there remains. as ground Tor the
action, only the statement of the mover
of the resolution that the superintendent
IL out OF touch with the committee the
teachers and the public
The charge that Or. Tarben II out
OF touch with the teachers In Our pub
lie schools has been challenged by many.
your committee has not proceeded hastily
in forming its Judgment upon this mat
Ter. BIT after careful and unprejudiced
inquiry II has been led 10 believe that
the statement does not represent the sem
timent OF the majority OF the teachers OF
Providence
'sThe action of the school committee
has. we fear. seriously impaired the pros
pect Of securing worthy successor To
pr Tarbell. Far more II nt stake In THIS
matter than tho fortunes of any individ-
uai man. Thc issuc is not merely per-
sonal one II is rather a question OF meth
DDS Of administration Which deeply cons
cern the educational interest," OF the