Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-06-17
A Gard from Mr. rletoher.

Editor Journal and my friends through
out the city;
After having been solicited by hon
orable men and women to accept the
nomination for school director in this
city, / find myself assailed by false
hood and vituperation of u%nwarranted
severity. Let me assure the public that
/ have not sought this reelection, but
yielded to the candidacy after much
persuasion, for / well know that the
difficulties thrown about the office far
outweigh any satisfaction in the posi-
tion.
| wish to assure all those interested
in fair play and honor, that 1 have
acted at all times in a manner con-
%sistent with both. / have never been
subject to any one's dictation, nor
yielded a point or principle, except to
a majority, or when an alternative was
presented involving greater injury than
the one for which relief was sought.
In the present South Salem contro.
versy ] IN personally willing to repeat
every word of my own at the executive
meeting, subject to verifcation by Di.
rectors Byrd and Lee and Clerk Good.
ale, if a majority Of the directors so
consent. l have good will for Mr.. Lee,
but there are others to whom just as
much praise is due, and who have
worked tremendously with him since
the day Of his qualification.
Let me assure the interested that
star-chamber methods, as insultingly
flung at the board, are not of the char.
acter implied, but such meetings are
hello for the protection Of teachers,
and the better to improve the efficiency
Of the schools, by a discussion Of indi.
vidual merit as to certain requirements
of place. Would not open meetings
at school elections weaken the quality
of the teaching force in time9 For ]
suppose no one would be rash enough
TO claim that all teachers are equal as
well as free. 1 did not help to inaugl.
this system, but found il in vogue
when / came on the board. May we
ask If the officials Of our state schools
for blind, mutes and reform, etc., hold
such meetings free to the public or do
make known the reasoning by
which they arrive at conclusions when
they are discussing the merits and re.
luirements Of teachersl If such were
The common practice is there any meth.
ID by which indiscretion could be pre-.
vented from flying into print at every '
to the modification of teach
,rs.
All teachers, however, have a right
know the cause OF summary notice to
withdraw an application, and / am not
favor of maintaining secrecy with
hem or any representative they may
send, when so much has been divulged
10 the distortion Of the whole truth by
me who, while not a voting member
the board, was yet morally bound by
he same promise, and sustained his full
part in the discussion.
My position on the official character
If the retiring superintendent is so
we'll known that / am surprised to see
false claims set up in regard to il. If
I'm controlled by a member Of the
BOARD who is well.known to be a
itaunch friend Of Mr.. Traver, why is
hat gentleman so soon to move TO a
Oregon facility, for is it not
generally known that he had but two
'otes on the board, and hence his fail.
ire to put in an application
ANY one who doubts the nature Of
ny relations with Mr.. Trayer, and the
course he pursued to lead me to that
has only to look into the States
nan of dates May the 10 and Is, 1904,
o recall the controversy then aroused
~ an effort TO bring him into some sort
# attitude more consistent with his
position and the business import.
Of the board as representatives of
he district.
/ thank the friends whom / have for
.ourtesies and those who may be inter
'sted in the simple rules Of justice,
whereby men are not heedlessly nor
leedlessly blamed. Respectfully,
HENRY @. FLETCHER.