Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-22
The Swartzell Decision.

The board of education has. so far as
It's jurisdiction and responsibility extend.
closed a troublesome case in deciding that
Principal Swartzell of the Eastern High
School shall be retained in that position.
This conclusion has been reached after
belated investigation which has presum-
ably covered the entire case of the COM
plants against the incumbent. 1t is I'M
fortunate that this inquiry was not held
at the close of the past school year In
stead of at the beginning of the present.
Had the board taken cognizance in June
OF the broader aspects of the case. re-
garding the so-caled cadet mutiny of May
as symptom rather than an immediate
ISSUE 1t Is not to be doubted that much
of the bitterness that has been aroused
during the summer would have been avoid
ed. AS the now stands, there Is
plainly evident a disposition on the part
of the protesting residents of East Wash
ington to continue their demand for school
changes. an agitation which can have only
the effect of continuing the turmoil in
school affairs.
There Is undoubtedly at issue In this case
the question of how far the schools shall
be managed by the teachers and principals,
and how far the sentiments Of parents shall
have weight in the choice of methods and
the selection of minor school authorities.
The board of education has assumed full
responsibility for the naming of principals.
regardless of expressions of sectional senti-
ment. Had 1t taken that high ground in
June 1t would probably have avoided the
error of proposing transfer of principals
between the Eastern and Central high
schools. which evoked a storm of protest
from the parents whose children attend
the latter school. There was no solid basis
for such action. and the board acted
wisely In correcting the mistake 1t would
have been far better for the schools had
the case been broadly viewed at the out
set and this mistake thus avoided.
The community will heartily support all
actions which stand for the maintenance
of school discipline. 1t will not tolerate
rio;ous proceedings the part of pupils
or the subversion of school authority. If
the schools are to be successful. to justify
their purposes they must be maintained
on that basis. and that alone. Sectional
pride in any school is always to be
tempered by the realization that these in
that the strength of the whole depends
upon the efficiency and good government
of each school.
Much has been asserted in this case by
those who asked for the reduction of Prin-
cipal Swartzell from his position. which
on its face. while conceding his great abl-
ity an Instructor. seemed to show that
he had employed indiscreet and tactless
methods. The board has now decided that
there is nothing in these assertions war
ranting Il change of principals. 1t is to
be assumed that the board Will go further
and make sure that there is no good
ground for criticisng and altering those
methods. The board has made a firm stand
for good discipline; 1t may also. without
Inconsistency, and with public benefit note
and by suggestion modify. any features of
school management which threaten to be
hurtful. All teachers and principals,
whether in East Washington or elsewhere
should be sOllcitous to so perform their
important duties as to command the con-
fidence and hearty support of the great
body bf parents and citizens The rela-
lions between teacher and parent, through
the pupil, are very close: and should be
sympathetic and helpful. If they are not,
one of the parties. and generally both.
must be justly blamed. Mutual forbearance
and consideration essential to the best
results