Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-07-13

Of this treatment and strongly protested, but
the protests proved unavailing, SO they de-
termined then, as the only means Of relief, to
seek such remedy from the Legislature as
would assure to the Kensington school prin-
cipal, whoever he might be, q salary com.
mensurate with his responsibilities ana
duties.
AT the proper time prepared the bill, with
the approval of the other two trustees, ana
1t was purposely so worded that all princi-
pals of schools with one or more assistants
should participate, and that the standard OF
such teachers should be as high as possible,
but there was never q thought of rewarding
any one for political services, or OF injurious
ly affecting any teacher, for such Intentions
would have been abhorrent to each and every
one Of the Kensington trustees and they
would not for moment stand for such
course.
That the whole matter was open and above
board and abundant opportunity was given
to expose political tricks and ''snakes," had
such been present in the bill, is shown by the
fact that a copy Of the bill, before 1t was in
troduced, was sent by Senator Lee to the
School Board with request that 1t be sub
mitted to Mr.. Charles W. Prettymau, one OF
the Boards Attorneys, and that 1t be criti-
cised, or, II desired, a substitute bill be pre-
pared.
Two members of the Board replied with
severe but captious criticism, the burden of
which was "let us alone" for they appar-
emily dreaded TO be shorn of even a modicum
Of power, despite the fact that the bill sought
to relieve them from the evils of political in
huence and prejudice. The only criticism
against the "snake'' section was that it was
useless because the Board already had a rule
to the same effect, but as they had made ex.
ception thereto In the case of too young lady
teachers, the proposed ''snake" section would
injure these two teachers. The County Su-
perintendent also wrote letter in which no
objection was raised to limiting the princi-
palship Of schools having one or more assist
ants to first-grade-certifcate teachers and
Normal School graduates.
These reports from the school authorities
were referred by Senator Lee to US and the
objections were answered, by US, in writing
and after both sides had thus made their
showings, Senator Lee notified both the Ken
sington trustees and the County Superin.
tendent of his willingness to accord q public
hearing at Annapolis, If desired by either
side.
The author Of the bill was not aware Of
the fact that any of the Rockville teachers,
affected by the bill as originally introduced,
were not holders of irst-grade teachers GER
editorial, and certainly the letters of the
Board and County Superintendent to Senator
Lee contained nothing to that effect; but If
the law had been passed in the form intro
dnced, can 1t be that the Editor Of the Ad0o-
cate means that he who has, as County Exam
liner, given first grade examinations to other
teachers would have any difficulty in passing
such an examination himselfR
The bill as passed and as now operating
increases the salaries of the principals Of the
Rockville and Gaithersburg High Schools by
500 each, which is just and fair. and feel
sure that neither of these gentlemen will con-
slider the increase as tainted money or refuse
to receive it. The increase of the salary OF
the Kensington principal was greater, be-
cause the disparity between what he had been
receiving under unfair discrimination and
the fair plan provided by the Legislature,
was also greater.
Yours very truly,
+. T. CHAPMAN.