New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-09
FINLEY UPHOlDS
EDUCATION BOARD
In RODMAN CASE
Dismisses the Appeal of
Writer of Noted Mother
Batting" Letter.
THINKS PENALTY
WAS TOO SEVERE
But Commissioner Feels Bound
to Sustain Authorities in
Their Proper Rights.
From stan Correspondent Of The Tribun.l

tfrom a s,aT Correspondent; Of The Tribune
Albany, June S.-The suspension of
| Henrietta Rodman Mrs. De Fremery)
/ by the New York Board Of Education
for writing the noted mother batting"
letter to The Tribune was sustained to-
: day by John II. Finley, State Commits
stone of Education. Miss Rodman APP
/ pealed TO him from the boards de-
clsion and the Commissioner dismissed
the appeal.
Mr.. Finley. however, criticised the
board for paying so much attention 10
Miss Rodman's letter. He thought it
should have ignored her comment, but
since the letter was noticed he was
bound 10 respect the boards action.
He believed an expression of censure
would have accomplished the end
sought, and he suggested that the
board reduce the term of suspension.
which was from November 10. 1914, to
September /, 1915.
Commissioner Finley gives these two
reasons for his decision:
That Miss Rodman's position as a
! teacher carried with it an obligation
of respect and scrupulous regard for
the truth, which she conspcuously
ignored in publishing the letter, and
that this added responsibility of a
teacher does not necessarily involve an
abrdgment of the freedom of speech"
That while he was obliged to reverse
the decision reached by the board in
the very matter which was criticised
(the motherteacher cases.. he was "of
niece ssity bound TO give the board every
possible protection in the free exercise
Of its judgment within the wide dis
erection rightfully accorded it by the
state"
Those serving the public in such
high capacity" said the Commissioner,
referring to the Board of Education,
"are naturally and often subject to un-
just criticism for which there is no
practical remedy. ! am Of the opinion
that in this case it would have been
well to ignore this comment. II would
in time have brought its own condem-
nation. But since the letter was
noticed feel bound to respect the
measures taken by the board within its
discretion for the protection not alone
of itself but also of the schools which
are intrusted to its care.
81 believe that the end sought would
at the time have Geen ACCOMPLISHED by
az expression of censure or BY sen
tence less severe. and, while suggest
that the board even at this late date
might well consider a reduction Of the
term of suspension. am unwilling to
make an order which would impair the
authority or discretion Of the board in
this matter"
Commissioner Finley said that Miss
Rodman was admittedly not only one
of TIE best teachers in New York, but
also teacher of English. Her alleged
offence" he continued. becomes seri-
Gus because Of her very competency
and position among teachers and
pupils. What might be considered mis-
conduct on the part of one less dis
corning and less capable in expression
may in one Of such relatively high
competency become gross misconduct
that is, relatively great misconduct,
for understand gross in this connec-
ton to connote the degree OF gravity
OF the misconduct"