Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-04-11
WEST GIVES VERSION
OF SCHOOL AFFAIRS

Editor Capital Journal: I am asking
your kind indulgence and space in
your publication that / may make n
few statements, which it seems to me
should, in justice to all concerned and
to the entire community, have been
made before. this time. | am fully
aware that the mere fact that these
things are said by me will take from
them much Of the weight and import.
ance otherwise due them. This | re-
gret. But no teacher at present en-
plOyed in the schools dare give ex-
pression-above whisper--to any
facts or feelings known or entertained
though every one Of them stands JUS.
exactly where l do in the matter.
can only ask you and your readers to
look beyond the writer and observe the
written. My three years as principal
of one of the schools here has given
me a deeper interest than mere per.
sonal interest in Salem s public schools.
To be sure, | refer to the superin'
tendent (7) of our city schools. To
say that he has been failure does
not tell half the story. If he could
fail without dragging the schools down
too there would be no occasion for re-
grets. But that is. not possible. Schools,
like human beings, either progress or
retrogress; like tides, they ebb or they
flow. / shall not attempt to trace
much history in detail, but come ut
once to the present controversy cor
cerning his remaining with us longer.
Most of us as citizens are more or less
interested in that question.
At recent meeting the school board
rightly decided that Salem does not
want him longer. The majority thus
deciding have watched matters pretty
closely, and are in closer touch Yitn
the real conditions than many of the
patrons are; in fact, dare say than
the superintendent himself. He has
had too many petty affairs on his
hands. Just here | desire to assure the
decent of the people of this city, who
are, thank goodness, in the overwheln
ing majority, that the "patrons SO
frequently mentioned of late as intend.
ing to compel the school board to re.
tract in its recent action in dispensing
with useless services are no other
"patrons than one, and he was chair.
man of the board last year. This is
not fancy but fact. Also, there was
never any action taken by any parent
teacher association toward a retraction.
The sentiment does not run that way.
Where there may be found one parent
who favors his reelection they are ten
who do not. Where one teacher sides
with him so are against him. But As
said before they dare not actively en-
gage in the fray. They can only on
bended knee ask for mercy and deliv-
erance. / speak as citizen only but
from the teachers viewpoint. I've been
through the mill and know whereof !
speak. / know, too, that if there is
one dissenting voice raised against
what I am saying it win certainly he
q small one.
Our friend, the present chairman OF
the board, is the last remnant of a very
unfortunate faction, He is certainly
making bold stand of it when he
demands Of the other members that
they produce some Of the teachers who
are not in harmony with the superin.
tendent. If he really wants them pro-
duced shall gladly furnish him with
an abundant supply if he win 90 q
heavy bond for their fair treatment.
cannot imagine that his mill duties
have kept him so entirely out Of touch
with the schools and their advance
ment :(s). Was he visiting in Europe
a year ago when the teachers were
asked to make application for re'elec-
tion2 Does he know that at that time