The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-23
TEACHERS TO MAKE UP
MISS RODMAN'S PAY
500 at Meeting Resolve to Con-
tribute Her Lost
$1,000. ia
FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Whatever New York teachers may have
thought in the past about the trial OF
Henrietta Rodman, there can he no doubt
that they deeply sympathize with her and
arc against the policy of tho Board OF
Education. At meeting OF the Teachers
League held last night in the High School
Of Commerce the association adopted a
resolution to make good the loss OF Miss
Rodmans salary by paying the $1,000 out
Of their own salaries
The motion was made by Dr. David
IT, Holmes of the East side High School
and seconded by j. Rosenthai. a teacher
In the same school. The whole roomful
Of about 900 teachers were enthusiastic
ally in favor OF the motion. To add to the
general excitement OF the occasion. two
members of the Board of Educatton
William O.. Wilcox and Louis n. Pink,
we're among the speakers OF the eve
ming.
The motion was made very late in the
evening after an open discussion OF the
freedom OF speech in the public schools
Miss Rodman spoke very briefly.
II don't want people to think OF me
as = martyr" she said. ~ don't want
my Job II ! can't do what ] think Is
right. Mr.. Churchill said he didn't like
protests made in corners made my
RnDIetI III Nipt OptAt uuN bt hiNil H'tAh
10 like that either. I made mine in the
only medium which | could rcach. the
public press. II was in a moment Of
righteous Indignation, for any one who
knows me knows that my manners are
generally good"
When Mr.. Wilcox arose he was greeted
with laughter from the entire house.
MANY people have misconstrued the
motives of the Board OF Education" ne
said. I'VE had no resentment against
Miss Rodman for her criticism. We acted
from "a sense of duty. Teachers as In
dividuals have the right to do as they
ples, 80; as a part OF an organization they
should be harmonious with hat organ
ization. We believe that the more free
dom OF speech there is in those things
that affect the school welfare the better
for the teacher and the students. But
there are times when their responsibility
becomes NOT Individual. but official. and
they should remember this when making
v public criticism"
When MIR. Pink, the new member OF the
board, arose he said laughingly, Mrs
Gilman has said that this audience Is
positively vicious. There is no profession
in which its followers have so little to
Eay about their own work as that OF
teaching. The teachers don't come into
any real contact with their pupils.
There will be no freedom OF speech In
the public schools until they are reor-
EanlZeN, sara tIols II. ~ oNtlShi''t "
the city College. "Gf the Board OF Edu-
cation had given Miss Rodman u repri-
inaud the city of New York would have
been ready to shake hands with it's mem
hers instead of>show.ng disapproval But
the pride OF the Board of Education has
been severely hurt; IT cannot forget
public criticism
"The city OF New York ought TO pay
Miss Rodmau's fine itself" said Prof. w.
u Montague Of Columbia. no group OF
peoplc is immune from criticism Who
ever strikes az the freedom OF speech
strikes AZ the root Of civilization
"If the board considers he writing or
o iettor ~ come under the head OF gross
misconduct II they think II libellous or
slanderous why do they not take II TO
tho cour.." %" said Mrs. Charlotte Perkins
Gilman The teachers Of New York are
not properly speaking, employees OF the
BOARD of Education. They win their
positions, ANA II they are answerable 10
any one u IL to the city OF New York,
not to the board We hear So little from
the teachers They are generally poor,
hard WORKING. and have others dependent
or them. 20 they prudently keep quiet,
hut when ono of them has the courage to
come out as e. martyr to what she be-
lic,cs h. right ~" should honor her Tor
it,"
at is because we. in sympathizing with
Miss godmau are also guilty said Or.
Holmes. that ( feel We should do what
We can to atone. I give $40 of my salary
TO start tho fund"