The Hawaiian gazette., 1905-08-25
From Wednesdays Advertiser)

VerSy has been settled. Furthermore
the Board of Education have side
stepped an avalanche of petitions and
communications which might have
been Forthcoming had not the Board
closed the matter by allowing both
Copeland and Mrs. Harry to hold their
positions but at the same time repri-
manding the principals in the matter.
The Board met at $3.50 p. m. yester-
day with all members present, and the
Wailuku school trouble was immedi-
ately taken up. A letter was read from
Mr.. Wells, manager of Wailuku, stat
ing that he refused to sign the petit
tions that had been circulated In Wal
luku, and that he thought the best
way to settle matters would be to
transfer both Mr.. Copeland and Mrs.
Harry.
The following petition was read be-
fore the Board:
1--WE the undersigned citizens of
wailuku, having heard that a move is
on foot to transfer c. L. Copeland from
Wailuku school, protest against such
action and assure you that Mr.. Cope
land has our unqualified support and
we urge his retention as principal Of
said school. Respectfully,
(Sgned): Thos. Clark, Harry Copp
]. *. Kahookano, Jas. n. Keola,
w. e. Saffery, e. F. Rogers, w,
II. Rogers, w. F. Crockett, V. A. Vet
lesen, Ed. Heffernan, l.. NJ Baldwin,
Chas. Wilcox, Geo. Wright. NJ p. Wal
waiole, Mrs. j. w. L. Marshall, Ed
mund II. Hart, G. b. Robertson, J..
Nua, Julia G.. Lufkin. C. d. Lufkin, p.
4 II. Case, ]. II. Raymond, II. NJ. Coke,
! A. n. Kepoikai w. Ault, j. Garcia, NJ.
Il. Keller, Thos Holstein, John We'd
/ dick, d. G. Corey, w. l.. Naples Carl
! Waldeyer, Patrick Crockett, VIM. F.
! Kaae, Chas. Lake, F. n. Kerr j. Pal
| kalia, G. Hawley. II. Bethe, F. Riedel,
w. j. Bell, II. Streubeck. r. A Wads-
worth Mrs. r. A. Wadsworth. w. B.
Keanu, Sr., w. B. Weanu, Jr., Mrs.
Z Eliza Keanu, Mrs. w. B. Keanu, w. l..
Mountcastle, S. II. Davis. Mary Bal, S.
l.. Meyer. Rebecca, Nicholas.
The teachers committee had investi-
gated both sides thoroughly and
adopted the following resolution,
which, after being read, was in turn
adopted by the Board as a whole:
Whereas, An exhaustive investiga-
tion of the charges preferred against
Mrs. S. b. Harry, assistant teacher. by
c. Il. Copeland, principal of the Wal
luku school, strongly indicates that the
difficulties have arisen in a large de-
gree from outside factional and social
enmities, famed by vicious gossip
and
Whereas. Mrs Harry, in her state
ment before the Board, while admit
ting one charge of refusal to follow the
directions of the principal, expressed
her desire to cooperate with the prin-
cipal in developing the work for the
children under her direction, and read
mess to be courteous in her attitude
and loyal to the harmonious interests
of the school; therefore be ii,
Resolved, That the Commissioners oi
Public instruction will take no fur
ther action in the matter at present
beyond improving this opportunity tc
remind those connected with the con-
troversy that the welfare of the public
schools cannot be promoted by allow
ing personal and petty prejudces tc
enter into the atmosphere of the
schoolroom, to be displayed in sneers
snubs, fault-finding and harsh words
before the pupils, and senseless gossip
and nagging criticism outside the
school hours. The predominatinl
spirit among all principals and all as
sistants' in the public schools of thu
Territory should be a consistent ant
persistent effort to foster good vii
among the teaching force. and loya
enthusiasm for the school and II
teachers among the pupils, their par
ents and the community at large. A
this spirit and this effort is lacking, t
the same degree Is the efficiency ant
!. value of the teacher as a public serv
ant decreased. II harmony with 10y
atty is not maintained, the Commits
sioners must seriously consider a com
plete organization of a teaching
force that falls short of a reasonabl
!. ideal.
Superintendent Davis had prepare
letters to both Mr.. Copeland and Mrs
| Harry, which having received the ap
l proval of the Board were ordered sen
to them. The letters settle what ha
been a most unpleasant controvers
and which has divided Wailuku int
two factions. The letters follow:
Honolulu, II, l., Aug. %, 1905.
Mrs. S. h. Harry Wailuku, Maui.
| Dear Madame: Your reply to tn
charges brought against you by you
principal. Mr.. c. L. Copeland, has bee
carefully considered by the depart
ment
Your frank avowal that, as regard
certain of the charges, you were 6
fault, has impressed the departmer
in your favor.
| However, the department cann'
overlook any characterization on III
part of any of its teachers; such insul
ordination forming a just cause fC
| dismissal.
AS you are aware, any friction b'
tween principal and assistant mu
have a bad effect upon the childre
causing them to take sides IN the col
troversy and rendering them disloy
to their teachers and their school.
This state of affairs we feel must N
be allowed to continue in the Wailul
school. and II we allow you to rema
in your present position, we must II
sist that you do all in your power
bring about a reconciliation betwet
yourself and Mr. Copeland as we'll
between yourself and Mrs. Copeian