The Washington times., 1905-09-22
The SWartZell Decision.

luc DOdIQ Ol EuuCdllOU mas Qoclu-
ed the Eastern High School contro-
yersy for the present by voting to re-
tain Mr.. SwartZell as principal OF
that school. However much this
action may be open to adverse criti-
cism. it is the decision Of the school
authorities. and the man it estab-
fishes in control is entitled to the
cooperation of both parents and
pupils in maintaining order at the
school The course of the board can
not give excuse for antagonism to
the government of the Eastern, and
1t is the duty of the parents who
have children there to see that 1t
does not
Practically every phase of this dis
turbance has been unnecessary. Un-
der broader administration of the
school 1t would never have originat-
ed. After it did originate, it was
fed by mistakes and misjudgment
until it has jeopardized the profess
sional standing of an honest, earnest.
capable, and devoted teacher, and
threatened the school careers of a5O
pupils
In such a situation what was need
ed was a grip firm enough to take
hold of the controversy, decide it
resolutely for the good of the whole
community and not of any single
har Of f.x1a - 4.
cision unyieldingly. That, The Times
submits, was the responsibility of
the Board of Education How has
the board met it? By three separate
decisions which have ranged the
board on every possible side of the
issue and which, being agreed upon
behind closed doors on grounds not
announced for the information of the
public, leave the community as sus-
picious, unsatisfied, and unsettled as
ever it has been since the contro-
versy opened
Discipline, we are told unofficially.
was the basis for the boards latest
vote. The issue of discipline never
was raised There can be no divi-
sion of opinion ON the score of dis
cipline- Nothing could be more un-
fair than to charge the protestants
against Mr.. Swartzelrs retention
with antagonism to discipline. The
real issue as those citizens saw it.
and as the community ought to see
it, is this:
Has Mr.. Swartzell's administration
of the Eastern High School been of
Sufficient scope not only to develop
the pupils of that school into a credi-
table scholarship but also to de-
velop young girls and young bows
into womanly women and manly
men!
Testimony on that point was pre-
sented to the board from two asso-
Citations of East Washington citizens
and one association of business men.
The Judgment of all three bodies
was the same-that Mr.. Swartzelrs
regime did not lead to all the results
desired. What the board did with
TINS testimony, whether it was ig-
nored altogether or set aside as in
competent, the public is not inform
ed. The Times thinks the public has
right to be informed. 1t should
know what was done with three in
vesdgations representing more par
ents OF school children than could be
represented, in all probability, In any
other inquiry. 1t has a right 10
Know, further, on what ground the
board based conclusion intended 10
be final which contradicted the find
tnGs of three such bodies.
The Times hopes this information
v be forthcoming. The city is as
much disturbed today over the sit
uation of the Eastern as it was be-
fore the board announced its deci.
sion. Nothing can be gained by con.
tinuing such a condition as this.
Three bodies OF citizens feel-and
The Times thinks they have reason
SO to feel-that they have been in.
considerably set aside in matter OF
extreme Importance 10 them. 1t 4.
impossible that the parents who have
protested are satisfied The one hope
OF improvement is an intimation tha
Mr.. Swartzell may profit by this ex
perience, that he may change hi
methods. IL that is true, why shoulc
II not be formally announced? Blu
whether he changes his netnods ul
not. and whatever is done, let u.
have no more vaciilating and M
more misconception of issues so i'm