The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-25
CUMBERLAND
SCHOOLS MAY GET
INTO POLITICS

II would seem that there is very grave
danger OF the public schools OF this town
getting rather deeply into politics be-
cause OF the stand takenB by some OF the
members OF the school committee. There
are members OF the board who believe
that the very greatest economy must be
observed during the present year. and
that care must be taken along all lines
to keep the expenses OF this department
of the town down to its lowest level 1t
may be that all OF the members agree
on this principle. but IL would seem that
some OF them at least are more anxious
TO secure special privileges for certain
AT the two recent meetings OF the com
mittee there were some vigorous discus
harmony which has heretofore existed In
this board. Just how far this will go
Is one Of the things which will be learn
ed lated, but II would be better for the
good OF the schools IL the members would
remember that they were elected not to
carry out any pet project. but 10 repre-
sent the wishes OF the people.
When the members of a board OF this
character get into a dispute they are apt
to forget what they have been chosen
for. and spend the greater part OF their
who may oppose some OF their special
projects. TINS does not increas Sc the eff
iciency OF the department, and Il also
does not make their services OF any spe-
cial value to the community.
AT the annual taxpayers meeting a
certain sum OF money was appropriated
for the support OF the schools. II may
be that the sum should have been larger
IL Is quite within the probabilities that
IL II had been better class OF schools
could have been maintained by the COM
mittee. Without a doubt the teachers OF
the town are not paid what they should
be. Undoubtedly they think so and So
too, do their friends. IL there has been
enough money Appropriated by the tax
payers so that these salaries can be in
creased without cripplng any other part
or the department, then II would be
good idea 10 do so. But II 10 increase
the salaries means the incurring OF bills
for which there has been no money APP
propriated. then II would be a mistake
and one which the committee has no
moral right TO make.
The selection OF subcommittee with
instructions TO consider the matter of
salaries of the teachers and make a re-
port Is not OF Itself "A bad thing. 1t would
be good idea II the taxpayers could
have this information because they could
thus be able TO act more intelligently in
making future appropriations But II
would certainly be unwise for the COM
mittee TO act Independently OF the tax
payers, and go into debt TO increase sal
aries, and unless increases were made
be charges that favoritlsm was being
shown, and this would have the effect
OF belittling the work of the committee
II Is an important matter. and 1t GER
with great deal OF care. However. the
committee is composed of men who have
the best interests OF the schools at heart.
and until they show that this is not So
they should have the support OF the peo-
pie of the town.
If the weather is good there will in all
probability be a big crowd OF baseball
fans and some others who have not vet
40 ha al
at the John street grounds in Cumber-
land next Saturday afternoon, at which
time the teams made up OF the finest"
from Central Falls and this town will go
through nerve-racking contest all for
sweet charity's sake"
The proceeds OF this game are to be
added TO the fund which is being raised
for the poor children's excursion and
with such a worthy object there certainly
ought TO b~ good crowd. But there
will probably be good many there who
will feel that little comedy now and
then assists in prolonging life.
Some two or three weeks ago there was
a game between these tko teams II was
held in Central Falls and the crowd from
that city was victorious, according TO the
records kept by the scorer, the figures
announced being L. to 6. No record WI.
made OF the number OF errors, chiefly be-
cause the SCORER wanted 10 complete MS
work In time TO get to bed that night
and then there were other little details
which were left out of the reckoning.
But there were some things which the
crowd saw that are seldom seen In q
game played by professionals and II was
these features which were the most in
teresting. In all probability the game
which is to be played on Saturday next
will abound with peculiarities. AS an ex.
hibition OF the fine points OF the national
game. IL may be OF great Importance but
as a mirth producer II ought to be a thor
ough success and consequently IL is pre-
dicted that there will be a big crowd.