Douglas Island news., 1907-03-20
A Communication
To THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS:

As reader of your paper, citizen of the town, and friend of the public school. may l be permitted to speak my mind on the school question?
 In your article of the last issue en- titled "Election Gossip" you mention objections tbat are being raised to the present regime. Criticism, though un- favorable, is sometimes just and whole some but what can possibly warrant an insidious attack? Why do not the obiectors come forward and make specific charges? Why do they, in that phrase "incompe; ency of teachers" cast slur on the entire corps? Such an unqualified, unfair, and improved statement may have little effect on local readers of mature minds, but i'll other places it surely must iujure the fair name of our town to some extent. If one should deliberately set about to harm town he could not accomplish his purpose in any surer way than to "knock" it's public schools on every possible occasion.
 Let us consider the opprobrious complaint. Does incompetency refer to the scholarship of the teachers? They hail from four different states. In each of these states they have been granted high grade papers and their services have been retained, years in succession, in their respective positions. What qualifications does Douglas de- mand anyway?
 To many citizens, as we'll as to the school board, it would seem that man who graduated from the Indiana State Normal, who now holds position on the board of education in King county. Washington, and who has been high school principal for some years, might be considered capable of presiding over even a Douglas institution of learning.
 We might assume also that lady who did her post graduate work at Bryu Mawr, Penn, and who has had five years experience in Oregon high schools would be able to uphold the dignity of the assistants position here.
 It scarcely seems presumptious, either, that holders of life diplomas in California who have had six years of teaching experience-not to mention service on a county board of education should aspire to sixth grade work in our exacting city.
 Then, too, it seems to us that lady who received her college training in the University of Chicago, who did grade work for years in Cincinnatti, and high school work for four years in Charlestown, w. Va, at the same time serving on the state board of educa- tion, might, if properly directed by the wiseacres of the town cope with the fourth grade work in Douglas.
 If these assumptions are not correct we, having only common Missouri in- sight. ask to be shown. Will the gossipers explain, too, why they didn't rake up past history or nose around amongst papers as probers are won't to do?
 Credentials, to be sure, are not al- ways true indexes of actual school room work. Here again let facts sneak. The writer has heard from patrons many favorable comments and few complaints. Our students go to other schools and enter grades where our teachers have placed them. Pupils from other schools enter our classes and carry on their work without serious interruption. These things show that our grading and standards compare fayorably with other schools No one claims that the top notch has been reached, nor does anyone deny that there are frequent slips, but the general movement is forward and the pace is fast enough to suit most people of discernment.
 Does this imply that we are never to interfere with existing conditions! By no means. Let legitimate com plaints be duly considered and lei changes be made when necessary, but when an unjust and sweeping objection like the quoted one, is made, every loyal citizen ought to rise in opposition.
 The objeetors intimated that the teachers are not earning the fabulous