The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-06-05
SUPT. BAKER WAKES
EXCEEDING WRATHY
AN OPEN LETTER.
Editor Caldwell Tribune,
Dear Sir:


Dear Sir:
On Friday morning of last week
read your editorial on BLANK Dip
lomas." Since that time more than
a dozen people have called my atten-
ton to the article and have asked
whether OF not the specific charge
was so. 1t is, therefore, high time
that | give the truth relative to the
graduation exercises and the members
OF the past two classes who qualified
for their diplomas. Furthermore, as
matter of fairplay and in the inter
est OF giving the community the truth
it is up 10 you" to print my open
letter.
In the interest of the Caldwell
schools and on behalf OF the Caldwell
teachers, | resent your ibombastic
characterization of the public school
system generally and of Caldwell
schools in particular. In high-sound-
ing and authoritative language you
attempt to depict as inefficient"
'disgraced, "notoriously incompet-
tent" "effeminate," ethics hacking"
mollycoddle type OF bipeds more
commonly known as teachers, in
most contemplate and libelous fash
ion. AS one who is glad to be group
ed with this unfortunate, ignoble,
characterless class of human souls, |
take this occasion to say that in order
to make such curse as you have
pronounced effective, you must speak
with authority, genuine authority.
You must know in detail Of the work
ings OF the institution, and group Of
Ia Il =. 4
you speak.
By what authority, ask, do you
speakl Where is the thinking man
who has honestly investigated the
history OF the public school educa-
ton of the U. S. and who has observed
the real signs of the times" of the
last quarter century-where is such
man | say--who would bear you out
in your contemplate and maligning
statements relative to the teachers
generally? Your editorial, in my
judgment, betrays a marked degree
OF ignorance OF the real progress of
educational annals; of public school
movements; Of the real work of pro-
fessional colleges; normals and spec
ial schools over the country at large
of the demands of superintendents
principals and supervising teachers OF
the various public school systems; OF
the honest efforts and painstakinR
care OF the teachers generally in try
ing to live up to their obligations
Furthermore, it seems to me that the
lack OF knowledge along the lines
above mentioned, as indicated in the
same editorial, seems to beget an at
titude of mind that is unappreciative
OF the real problems a public schoo
system presents and of the real re.
suits of the efforts expended in meet,
ing and solving these problems.
Over two hundred thousand teach.
ers are at work in the public schools
OF the United States. What intimate
knowledge have you, what tests OIL
efficiency do you apply, that you are
led to say that Heaven knows that
the average school teacher needs GOV.
ering upf" What definition of "ef.
flciency' do you propose that would
lift all other error-making souls into
the plane of perfection, but leave the
teachers of cur nation, of our state
of our city in the lowest of the low
strata of inefficient" "disgraced" and
unprincipled beings?
Thirty-one teachers have been EN-
ployed in our own city during the
past year. Among this group are
men and women from as fine homes
as our land can boast. They have
graduated from such institutions as
Wisconsin, Chicago, Michigan
Swathmore, Idaho Universities and
various other colleges, normal and
training schools of our country Not
one OF them but has had some special
professional preparation for her work.
What right have you, without study
ing at first hand and at close range,
the school room practices of this
group of people, to pen any such mall
formed judgments as your editorial
/ contains?
Notwithstanding my own "inef-
iiciency," 'ignominy" and shame. l
feel sorry, genuinely sorry for the
American Citizen who is so unap-
preciative of his debt to American