Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-23
DO NOT WANT sWARTzELL.
East Washington's Position in the
High School Controversy.

To the Editor of The Star:
1t is said that we of East Washington
are excited" that circulate petitions
asking the signers to boycott" the East
ern school; that we encourage young girls
to join our injudicious vagaries, and alto
gether that we haven't much judgment or
balance. Charles Dudley Warner said
Public opinion Is as strong as the segisla-
ture and almost strong as the Ten
Commandments" We would like to stand
at the bar of public opinion for a few
minutes, asking for a hearing. Perchance
we were excited" for a little, but we may
have a sufficient reason even for that. On
.IIne 30 the board of education made two
promises one to us promising to remove
Mr. SwartZell. the other to him guarantee
ing TO give him position or equal eFaue.
Plain ordinary people sometimes piIIis
down Indignation upon their heads py
IreaLtIng promises Should not so grave
and honorable body as the board or edu-
cation nays had full and intimate knowl-
edge Of the possibility of keeping its Wora
before making a pledge? We Eastern peo-
pie accepted that pledge in patient, uh-
questioning faith. Those ciGzens whose
children attend the General High SchooA
were wiser than We At the first hint OF
move unsa tisfactOry 10 them they rose as
one man and clamored for their rights
Their clamor was well timed and success
full
board sat again and repudiated its promise
TO u.s. coming from the board room smiling
over It's honorable recantation, so We are
told. 1t IS idle to say the members De-
lIeved they were substantially carrying out
our wishes because some young men had
been persuaded to get up petition for Mr..
SWartzeIFs reinstatement, under the agree
ment that he would resign. The members
Of the board knew and still know that Mr..
Swartzell Is not a suitable person to act as
principal of a school. They did not at
tempt to say he was. but made the weak
admission that II was "impracticabIe' 10
place him in some other position OF equal
grade They kept their promise to him
1t must have been more sacred than their
promise to many anxiously waiting parents
and children This was a blow. Was IT
reprehensible TO become Indignantly excited
when confronted with this evidence of bad
faith? If It was, we are guilty.
We were stunned for a while, and then
looked about for a remedy We asked ad
vice Of several men Of standing. who said
you must have concerted action; you are
accused of being divided on this matter"
Then 1t occurred to US II would be wise 70
find out just how many Capitol Hill people
thought alike this subject, and would
agree to stand upon the proposition thai
What we did not want was Mr.. Swartzel
at the Eastern High school. We had no
more thought of 'boycotting' the high
school than of boycotting the church. We
want to send our children there. 1t IS our
right. 1t would be. for many. serious ex
pense TO send their children down town
But what can we do? Look upon case
with candid eyes. We have to deal with
conditions they exist. not as they should
be.
Our paper started with a single purpose
was at once branded as a boycott" 1t is
not even a petition. 1t Is a statement that
so many OF us are opposed to Mr.. Swart-
ZeliS administration. and are unwilling to
have our children continue under him.
What with high-spirited but good
tempered horse would suffer him 10 be
driven with curb rein when he simply
needed Snaffie? Behold! are not our chill
dren worth more than many horses? Yet
we are Censured for demanding a better
hand upon the reins.
But again look at our easel Oar state
ment taken as a threat. and we were
threatened in turn by the ntimation that
we should not be permitted to withdraw
cur children. Geographical lines must be
drawn closely. Heretofore people could
send their children pretty much where they
pleased but now that the board OF educa-
ton has forced back upon a man they
promised to remove AL freedom of action
must be curbed.
Here is the case in nutshell: The board
has reInstated Mr.. Swartzell. He is then
principal of the Eastern High School. Ii
we absolutely cannot be reconciled to this
we can keep our children out of the school,
but no other high school will receive them
What then Is left but to send them to
private schools? We are denied right to
the school privileges for which we pay
This Is autocratic. Has the board of edu-
cation become a despotisrn? And have we
no appeal? 1t has been published and not
denied that should Mr.. Wilson be removed
to the Eastern School Commissioner VESTS
daughter should follow him. or go to West
ern Are the geographical lines for U.S. but
not for the Commissioners? Oh, Public
Opinion, open your eyes and be just. We
are wronged and we appeal for fair treat
ment. We do not want more athletics: we
do want scholarship. But we do not want
Mr.. Swartzell. M E BERRY.