New-York tribune., 1903-03-29
THE SYSTEM LOOKS FORWARD.

Tha foregoing quotations ore in every
direct transcript OF the words of teachers. They
were expressions of opinion made to The Tribune
correspondent under the pledge Of secrecy They
were made in many with evident reluctance
and apprehension.
Break up the stories l tell you. spread them
around they can't be identified" was the ia
mIar request. The spectacle of men. some of
them grown gray in educational work. expressing
their opinions only in whispers and after the most
thorough pledge of secrecy was at once frequent
and significant commentary.
DO we teachers feel the degradation OF our po-
sition?' asked one teacher We can't fail TO. But
when you ask why don't resist tell You
frankly that in the face of public opinion which
tolerates this condition we are powerless. We meet
and discuss the condition among ourselves, but no
man likes to draw down upon himself the Concen-
trated wrath of the machine, as he would certainly
do If he became conspicuous in any protest or re-
sistance. There are men who refused to pay the
assessment and have far suffered no injury
But no one knows how soon 1t will come. ard they
expect themselves that punishment will come.
Let me tell you howl feel" said another princi-
pal who has worked in the public school system of
Philadelphia for many years. Said he:
My many years OF work have been years or
earnest and faithful service in cause Of educa
ton l have been often praised. never criticised
for my school. To-day twelve OF the thirteen mem
bers of my sectional board personal friends Of
mine and the thirteenth is not hostile and yet II
- uhe ward boss should say: - must go
know my board would meet and unanimously dis
miss me. Then one by one. with genuine regret In
their tones, they would come to and say: we
sorry; wouldn't have done it for worlds. but
- said SO and we had no choice Do you wonder
that paid my assessment? Do you think am
likely to interfere with my teachers, who are ap-
pointed by the boss?"
The assertions Of the teachers are substantiated
by the more independent of the members Of sec
tIonal boards They readily admit their own utter
poWerlessness in many cases and show how careful
and conservative men OF ability being sup
planted by young men politically ambitious. who
are without ability or interest In school affairs.
and are simply there to obey the will Of the boss
who created them,
My board" said one. lis made up OF good men,
and politics has played little part in the choice OF
teachers far. Yet tell you frankly II the issue
were Taigcd the will of the boss would be
mandatory. Moreover month by month the
boss and the machine getting hold Of the mercst
details Of the system and strengthening its hold.
The boss" himself furnishes stu further iilu-
rnInatng comment on the situation and on the de-
morAfizaton of teachers resulting from the system.
'Why shouldn't the teacher pay his assessment
Gays he. III tomorrow laere were a vacancy in
school in ms ward my house would be heseged by
applicants who were reGdy to promise anything in
return for my support. Ancy clad enough to get
the support OF the machine why shouldn't they
support it? I have city place. and I pay; the
clerks and the workman In city employ pay; the
machine got them their place: what Is the differ
cnceT'
In the last anaIyss the teacher. sectional al
rector the politician and the citizen alike will say
that public opinion Is responsible for the present
state Of affairs.
'Is the people OF Philadelphia. who have nothing
TO lose and all to gain by fighting the system in
the public schools submit said one principal,