The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-05-27
The Election OF Principal OF the
Graded School.

The Election OF Principal OF the
Graded School.
Much has been said. and q diverity Of opin-
lon has been expressed, In reference to the re-
cent election Of Principal OF the Abbeville
Graded School.
The trustees of the school no doubt acted
conscientlously in the election OF the princi.
pal, and they were no doubt more than justl.
fed in afterward declining to accept MIR. Gil
liams resignation.
No fault can properly be found with the ac-
tion OF the trustees until 1t can be shown that
q better man than Mr.. Gillian had presented
himself for the place. II no such man ap.
piled for the position, there can certainly be
no just censure OF the board. but in their &C.
tion they deserve the we'll done Of the people.
The presumption Of good fsith 10 In their
favor. r. however, better man than Mr..
Gillian did apply, still no fault could be
found with the trustees II such fact was not
made apparent TO them.
Mr.. Gillian is q stranger amongst as, and
must stand or fall upon his own merits. He
has NO kindred to boost him, and he has no
political influence to help him. The trustees,
therefore, had nothing to consider. except bis
merit.
Mr.. Gillian Is q gentleman TO whom, as
such, we have heard not the slightest objec.
ton.
But we have heard of objection to the
school management from those who may
have become kickers.
We have in former times thought that the
trustees did not properly sustain the teacher
In the conduct OF the school, but we are in.
formed that at the recent meeting OF the trus-
tees, q resolution was unanimously adopted,
plsdging the unqualified supporter the trus.
tees to the teacher In the management OF tho
school for the coming year. This being true,
any cause Of friction may be easily removed.
Because OF the gentleness OF his nature, Mr..
Gillian may have been too lenient. but If he
will in the future dismiss obstreperous schol.
srs the school Will be as orderly as could be
desired, and Abbeville's good school would
be her greatest pride
The public school is maintained at public
expense, and the usefulness Of the teacher,
and the good results Of the school. should not
be impaired or Injured, because Of anybody 3
bad boy, or snybody's son who may fail to
observe the rules OF the school, and who,
when reprimsnded, may choose to be impu.
don't to the teacher. Those children who
have not been taught to behave at home
should not be allowed to disturb the school
where their presence and their evil influence
may injure better behaved scholars, and de-.
tract from the usefulness of the school. The
better children deserve protection from asso.
citation with those who misbehave.
The trustees should not only endorse the
teacher, but they should require him TO dis
miss impudent or unruly children; and the
i teacher should require idle children to learn
their lessons.
II the teacher will require from the chill.
dren q proper respect, or will expel unruly
children, the whole town will respect and up
hold good school, But what shall be said of
teachers and trustees that permit insrbordi-
nation on the part Of child rem and allow
themselves to be subjected TO insult from the
children, or the parents Of such children?
Let the trustees sustain the teacher In en-
forcing order and decorum, even to the ex.
tent, II necessary, Of shutting the doors Of the
school,
The school is place where decorum, gentle
manly conduct and good manners are to be
taught and observed.
II obstreperous boys should appear In their
classes, and II they should be too old or too
big to be whipped. they have arrived at exact
ly the right age to be dismissed from the
schoo'.
Personally. this editor does not believe that
teachers should whip children. When chill.
dren are disposed to be disturbers Of the
school they should be sent home. The oer.
effect than the use Of the rod.