South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-04-21
THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
SHY CONTROVFRSY

Evidently someone has blundered.
The positive assurance given out Tues
day that +. r. Ramsey, Of Bloom
ington. was 10 be named future prin-
cipal OF the South Bend high school.
by the board of education that night
failed 20 materfalize. Notwithstanding
that the actual vote had been counted
in advance, there appears TO have
been nothing upon which 10 base it.
save. perhaps an avalanche OF sur
mises-hardly deserving Of being an
nounced as a fact. ON the con-
trary the status of Principal Fred L.
Sims seems 70 have been pretty well
reestablished.
South Bend will be gratifed that
this question 81 finally settled. 1t
has been in the air now for at
least three years. Various stories
have been circulated as TO why the
professor should, and why he should
not be retained. The controversy has
figured in politics; it has even touched
the borderline Of religious propa-
ganda. Prof. Sims appears to be
pretty strong character TO be the cen
ter of so much cat-hauling. A man of
lesser mould would have thrown up
the sponge long ago, or as another
alternative. perhaps, been presented
with his passports.
The latest turn served 10 bring
the pupils of the high school 10
the rescue OF their principal; this
il would seem. quite contrary to the
wishes Of some of their instructors.
a few OF whom appear to have had
his dismissal quite at heart. Whether
the principal or these instructors
should go, was perhaps the leading
question that the board of education
may still have to decide before any
thing like harmony can be restored in
high school circles. The city is get
ting tired Of the constant clubbing.
II is not best for the pupils and it is
not best for the community Politics
and religion need 10 be cast aside and
the question brought down TO high
school efficiency.
A L. Hubbard, member OF the
board of education, is authority for
agitation has been of the making of
Prof. Sims own friends. instituted in
a fear that ne might be discharged.
while the board lad not been giving it
any very serious thought. Maybe this
is true Perhaps it was friends. and
maybe, enemies in the disguise Of
friends. 1t sometimes works out that
Dc
might have fully informed themselves
before making a public exhibition of
their fears Much of the public agi-
tation appears TO have been OF the
dope" variety. frequently used for
smoking out purposes. but it is
much less of a compliment TO Prof
SIMS TO have been retained under the
pressure shown, than had it come
without IL.
In saying this. however, do not mis-
understand as ss having favored the
dismissal OF Mr.. Sims. NE substitu-
ton of some weak kneed individual.
such as would permit every Tom, Dick
and Harry-or Maria. Jane, and
Kate,-to come in and run his
business. would have been worse than a
calamity. If there is anyone who needs
the motto in his room, ii you would
know who is boss here. start some
thing" it is the principal Of a high
school And this being where Prof.
Sims has made the most OF his en-
emies. we cannot say we are with
them. What South Bend wants from
its high school is efficient instruction;
proper management
We sincerely hope that the board
OF education has this Sims affair final
IL disposed of. And at the same time,
we hope il viii be So settled. that the
friends OF the professor will not thinkl
il necessary TO renew the agitation
every few minutes 10 smoke" the
school board out,-thus TO renew their
self-assurance.
SIGNS OF PROSPERITY.
There is general agreement among