Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-02-01
SCHOOL BOARD MEETS
The Board Remained in Session
Over Three Hours.
HEATED ARGUMENT OVER BOOK
Came Near Causing a Break Of Good Feeling
Between Com. PauIding and Prof. Cole
Exercises Were Held in the Schools on
Mckinley Day.

Mckinley Day,
1t locks as If the School Board must
have it's fiery arguments. Monday
Commissioner Paulding and City Su-
perintendent Cole had heated word
battle over q motion submitted by
the former and for a time II looked
as If the argument would have IN
pleasant results. 1t finally ended,
however, apparently with both on
friendly terms toward each otter. but
unguarded assertions and retorts such
ms were made last night will unuoubt-
eddy lead to unpleasantness in the
board Such meetings make the bust
ness Of the board more interesting,
however, and attract the notice OF the
citizens. AS long as those who par
ticIpate do not allow themselves to
overstep tae bounds of sound judge
ment. perhaps il is better that such
arguments DO occur. With thorough
Acquaintance with parliamentary rule
end enforcement Of the same, only
permitting one TO have the floor at a
time, and insisting upon the strict or
der OF business, che presiding officer
ould doubtless prevent any unpleas-
antness hat is likely to spring from
such hasty statements. Politics is
ont of the board now and as long AS
the spirited arguments are confined to
schoolbooks and questions of direct
interest to the schools, so long as per
sonal remarks are excluded, the citi-
zens will say let them continue.
For over three hours last night the
Martinsburg Board of Education dis
cussed and acted upon questions per-
tanning TO the public schools and OF
interest to the taxpayers. 1t was the
second meeting Of the hoard of 1902
and was full of vim and interest.
President Russler was in the chair
and commissioners swans. Paulding,
Gerhardt and Whetzel were present.
After the reading of the minutes of
the last meeting and the passing of a
number Of bills. the following COM
munication was read
A. Z Russler, Esq. president Mar
tirsburg School Board,
Dear Sir Although not resident
OF Martinsbnrg, / am patron Of the
cltv schools sending two children,
nns TO the High School and one to
the Sec md ward school. and have
wondered If Mckinney Dav exercises
world be held on the 29fn. 1t seems
to me we should observe the day end
would suggest action by the bard
Monday night.
Thanking you for your attention,
ain yours &c.
John j. Hetzel.
A discussion followed during which
was suggested that exercises be held
on MCKINLEY Day. and donations
for the monument received
Superintendent Cole said that while
he was heartily in accord with what
had been said, there was one rnaze
of such move which ne wished to
bring to the attention OF the board
and that was the establishment of the
precedent of collecting money in the
public schools. He SAID that unless a
system could be arranged whereby the
donations could be kept secret SO that
scholars who were not able 70 give
would not by the publicity of the do
nations, feel called upon to give be-
cause others gave.
Commissioners Gerhardt. Paulding
and Whetzel. also made few remarks
along the same line.
Commits sioner Evans added that he
did not think the donation Of money
for the Mckinley monument should
be made part of the program for the
observance OF the day, yet that privi-
lie 70 should not lie denied the scholars
Ii they wanted to contribute any
thing he thought arrangements could
be made for the receipt of it by the
teachers.
On motion q Commissioner Evan'
the matter was placed in the hands Of
the city SUI erintendent to he carried
out in accordance with the proclama
tlon of Governor White.
Joseph Long, ianitor of the FIFTH
ward school building, asked for an in
crease of vi. salary. COMMISSIONS
Whetzel moved which was seconded
by Commissioned Paulding, that Mr.
Longs salary be increased from 81
to $50 Commissioner Gerhardt offer
ed, as a substitute for Commissions
Whetzel's motion. the motion that tn
request be lad on the table for futur
and more thorough consideration Th
latter molten was carried. . The bal
ance of $50 due on an order issued t
Prof. william Gerhardt, an ez-super
iqtendent of the public schools, Of
Sheriff Chrisman 10 1885, was ordere