Douglas Island news., 1907-03-27
A Citizen on Schools

In the article published last wed nesday, in the "News," by "Subscriber," !" "Reader," "Friend of Public School" "Citizen" all in one, we fail to receive much light on the school question, as brought forth by the last city caucus and the article preceding it in the "News."
 The much light given us by "Friend of School" is on the stupendous attain ments and great ability of the present teachers. Their attachments are so ao- solutely overwhelming that criticism uaIed in their light, as tallow candle by high voltage electric lamp. They are. by virtue of their credentials, like sanctifed Christian, incapable of do- ing wrong. The tone and matter of "Citizen's' article savers more of cham pionship aud partisan zeal than an at tempt to look into the subject impar- tially and fairly.
 To 'Citizen's" mind there seems to be but one thing in sight and that is To defend. right or wreng, everything done by school board and teachers, and to slur the abilities and intentions of those who have openly criticised them. "Friend of School" says" if these as- sumptions are not correct" why, the "Frieud's" common Missouri instinct is at fault. Pray, what assumption! Why, in view of the stupendous ere dentials and travels of teachers from four states, (we are only district or territory, and in little Douglas at that our wiseacres, gossipers and eXacting city people should not say word.
 IufalGbility is claimed for high ere dentials and life certificates, and in the next sentence "Friend of School contradicts this sentence aud says '.credentials to be sure ere not always true indexes of actual schoolroom work" There is where the wiseacres started. They knew that little truth themselves, and finding that their chil- dren did not learn, rightfully criticised teachers and management.
 Right here, on the subject of life diplomas and credentials, teachers sometimes get rusty and behind the times, and long service makes them careless. As good teacher (giving 1t
 mildly as ever taught in Douglas, and
 oue whose teaching gave great satisfac'
 tion, came here without any creden' tials.
 "Citizeu" says our students enter
 grades in other schools where our teach
 CTS have placed them. Allowing that to be true, we say that our present teachers have only been here sever , months, and consequently have never , placed any Douglas students in other l schools.
 An insidious attack is charged, Tbt , dictionary will inform "Friend O School" that iusidious means "doing o
 planning harm without the victims l knowledge, by stealthy means" Ther' was nothing insidious in speeches made in open, advertised caucus of town l and an article published on editoria l page of weekly local paper, the mo r tive of said article and speeches beinl for the benefit of Douglas, regardless : of who were criticised,
 "Friend of School" speaks con 1 temptuously of Douglas, and implie !, that any qualifications are good enougl s for Douglas institution of learning I or to hold position as assistant here ? or to do certain grade wore, if assisted - by the wiseacres of the town. All o t which might be summed up as follows
 When the teachers come up here iron 9 Oregon, Indiana, California and Wash s ington, to take positions in the Doug a las school, they are above criticism ' They hold credentials and are infallible |. We are doing work for you for les @ than it is worth; be like Sancho Panzf l. Don Quixote's famous squire; do no l, look gift horse in the mouth" ), We are told that i've pay no taxes, 8 That is news to the most of us. W ,- have often heard it said that there