The Penn's Grove record., 1913-03-28
AS To Fitness For Service
MIR. EDITOR

l hope you will give space to express
my regrets over the failure of the election
OF yourself and DIR. G. P. Lummis, pro-
gresslve candidates for the Board of Ed
ncation. For II l appreciate the i'll
formation you gave the public in regards
to what was the matter with the schools
when you became a member of the Board
three years ago. | wonder whose fault 1t
was for having such a mongrel mess of
text books as you described. Could it
have been the former supervisors OF those
who had been members of the board for
years and listened only to the willy pleas
of agents with fad text books?
From what | cau learn the advice of
principals and supervisors has rarely been
asked by the wise members who never
got thru a grammar school.
p My idea OF the office is that the holder
should have somewhat of a fitness for it,
regardless of what opinions they may
hold from me Oh other subjects.
| understand you were a graduate of
Pennington Seminary and DIR. Lummis a
graduate OF South Jersey institute, both
equivalent to the present high school
course. He is a graduate of the College
OF Medicine in the University OF Pennsyl-
vanin.
My idea of fitness for office may be
wrong. | would not impeach the intelli-
gence OF the majority OF voters in electing
a blacksmith, skilled in his line of bust
ness, nor a railroad conductor who knows
the rules OF running trains, nor Of a post
master who has much learning on postal
laws, nor the superior intelligence of
wheelwrights, nor carpenters nor painters
most skilled artisans in their lines OF
trade, but who never learned in school
what twelve year old children now know.
say | would not question the know
ledge of these men in their arts, nor the
intelligence OF a majority of voters in
e~lecting sucn to he directors of the great.
est institution OF learning in our COM
munity. or course the majority rules
and like the kings and ~absolupe rulers OF
former times the king could do no wrong.
But, v lille | with others regret the loss
OF your intelligent service to advance our
schools, | know you are busy men. But
owing to the intelligence OF a majority of
voters as to the fitness for service | fear
you will be busler than if you were elect
ed. AS blacksmiths, wleelwrights, paint
ers and carpenters, are the best fitted to
run educational matters. | hope the ma
jority will be logical. When they want
Il broken wagon mended a horse shod, or
house painted or repaired they will go to
the doctor or printer to have it done. As
a doctor can repair a bone why not Il
wagon? AS he can cure a mans sore foot
why not a horses foot and put a shoe on.
AS he can remove blemishes from the
body by medical skill why not from wood
and employ him to paint and polish your
houses?
According to logical conclusions of the
school election the doctor and printer
should have a big increase in business
from the majority of voters when they
want such work done.
To be logical l expect to see tile direc-
tors discharge the present cashier and
teller III Penns Grove Bank and elect a
fisherman and farmer to fill their places.
They can get them much cheaper to run
the bank cheaper.
| understand the latest test in the
selection of teachers for Penns Grove
schools is the length and breadth OF the
skirts and ali attractive co%untenance. The
principal reason discussed as to why a
teacher failed to reelection a wear ago
was the length and breadth of skirt. size
has since been elected to a position in
North Jersey at $50 a month, an increase
of $50 a month. She teaches five periods
a day instead of seven in Penns Grove.
1t might be wise for the present teach
ers to ask the Board as to the length and
breadth OF skirts required to be worn to
be sure OF reelection OF they may have
to go elsewhere, and do less teaching for
more salary. Graduates of normal schools
who have been instructed how to teach
the latest improved methods are at a
discount in Penns Grove if the length and
breadth OF skirt does not reach the stand
ard set by the Board of education, SO l
hear.
am reminded of Oliver Wendell
Holmes Wonderful One Hoss shay
which WAS built IN such a logical way.
This is all | say.
People think in a wonderful way.
With regrets Tor the loss of your service
to the educational system OF our Borough
/ hope to remain a pRoGpEssIyr CIT1zEN