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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 / I k y A i c:.0 NO POLITICKS IN EDUCATION, THE ONLY SOUND AND WISE POLICY. i > ■( A LETTER TO A. M'NIJTT I A.TTEPvSON Esq. PrcBidont of the Educational Association of Nova Scotia, BY F. ^Y. GEORGE. HA.LXF'AX, NOVEMiUER, 1SG1>. PRINTED BY WILLIAM MACNAB, PRINCE STREET. 1369. I A , fVgG4 V /- ■J WW LETTER TO A. M'NUTT PATTERSON, ESQ., Fresident of the Edupational Association of Nova Scotia. Sir,— The Educational Journal for August contains an official notice that another person has been appointed In- spector of Schools for Cumberland County. No sooner was the deed done than my name was dragged into the newspaper press and the dismissal denounced with just severity. If the cause of the discussion referred to were a purely private and personal matter, I should consider it my duty to remain silent. But as the act in question is an unmistakable development of a new policy with respect to education, T have no right aud no disposition to keep from the public facts which are essential to ena- ble them to form a correct judgment regarding that policy. Again, since the organization of the Association, over which you so ably preside, I have been honoured with the confidence of the teachers, to whom I owe an explan- ation of the cause of my removal from office and separa- tion from all connexion with the Education of the Pro vince. That confidence I am proud to say I still enjoy, 3413? as indicated by the fact that a petition was recently pre- sented from the officers of the Association praying for my restoration to office. I owe it to the interests of educa- tion to justify that confidence. I owe it to Biyself, my family and friends, to vindicate my own character and reputation as a man, as a Christian, and as an Education- ist. " Every man is a debtor to his profession." On these and other grounds I deem it my duty to ad- dress you with all possible brevity, and state lairly and temperately the facts of the case, and the principles in- volved in the controversy, into which I have been so re- luctai ;^y drawn. Before discharging the duty which I have assigned to myself, it is but right that I should ytate that I never have identified, and do not now identify myself with any political party. I have no selfish or party ends to serve. Having thus stated my reasons for addressing you and made a necessary explanation, I am in a position to pro- ceed with my story. In July 1867, I stated to T. H. Rand, Esq., Superin- tendent of Education, the fact that teaching was begin- ning to tell rather severely on my health, and that I had been purposing to retire from the work for six or twelve months. Mr. Rand immediately proposed to send me to the County of Cumberland to retrieve the cause which had been seriously injured by neglect. Not a word was said about anything but Education. However willing to co-operate in advancing Education, I was quite unprepar- ed to give a definite answer as to my future course. Three or four months elapsed without any answer whe- ther I would accept the situation or not, though Mr. Rand wrote repeatedly on the subject. In the first week of November he telegraphed to me to go up to Tlalifax, and on my arrival pressed me strongly to accept. On stating diflScultios and reluctance, he produced the Commission, from which it appeared that I had been appointed on the 25th October. After taking some time for reflection and consultation with my friends, I resolved to act. I should state that another situation was in my offer at the same time. Exception was taken to ray appointment solely on the ground that I was a non-resident. The answer to this from Mr. Rand and the Council of Public Instruction now in office was conveyed to me on 16th Nov. in the follow- ing terms : — "I am directed to instruct you to proceed at once with the discharge of your duties." Thus it is proved beyond the possibility of dispute that my appoint- ment was made by one Council of Public Instruction, and confirmed by theii' successors, who are now in office. Such was the universal impression throughout this County. More than this. I have been allowed to hold the office for nearly two years, which is a confirmation stronger than words could make it. Without sufficient grounds it would have been very unwise to make arrangements for settling in the County and incurring heavy expense without any object. The truth is I would rot consent to act without great pressure from the Superintendent under direction of the Council. Is it not clear that my dismis- sal was an act of bad faith and gross injustice without parallel and without excuse ? Judge then of my surprise and indignation when, at the close of the semi-annual examination of Teachers in r 6 September 1868, a friend asked me a question which im- plied that he had heard an unpleasant rumour. The re- port gradually spread over the whole county. A friend in Halifax asked a member of the Government whether there was any foundation for the story or not. The in- terview was amusing, and suggestive as to the kind of pressure which unprincipled characters will resort to, to accomplish their base ends. It was alleged that I was a Baptist preacher, " a big, fat man," who had taken an active part in the election contest of 1867. This, of course, was a pure invention, emanating from an interest- ed party, who was a faithful child of the Father of Lies. I did not set a foot in the county till about 50 days after said election. I am ashamed to refer to such things, as must make any man blush for the degradation of his race. Two months afterwards the report of dismissal was re- vived. My duties as Secretary of the Educational Asso- ciation made it necessary for me to go to Halifax, and I resolved to confront my enemies, if they could be found, and bring the matter to an issue without delay. I there- fore inquired of Mr. Kand if there was any application from the county for my removal. He informed me that there was no such application, and no complaint against me from any quarter ; but on the other hand the strongest remonstrances from persons representing the Educational interests of the county against such a step, as unjust in itself, and injurious to the educational interests of the county. He also stated that he had strongly deprecated my removal. Accompanied by James Farquhar, Esq., a faithful friend, I had an interview with the Hon. W. Aiinand, in order to ascertain whether there were any charges against me, on any grounds whatever — official or political. After a brief statement of the circumstances attending my appointment, and an explanation of the Educational state of the county, I put specific questions on these points, and was assured by Mr. Annand that neither he nor any of his colleagues had received from Commissioners, Trustees, Teachers, or indeed any parties, any complaints regarding me, but, on the contrary, what they had heard as to the manner in which I had per- formed my duty, was satisfactory. He added that the pressure was entirely political and local. Political was explained to mean pressure by a party to get a friend into the office, and that it did not imply any charge against me of meddling in politics. He expressed the hope that the pressure might cease. After this I told Mr. Rand that I declined to resume my duties till the question was settled one way or other. On 26th January he informed me that he had asked the question in full Council and from what was said he was of opinion that the matter was set at rest. He therefore directed me to go on with the visitation of the schools. Accordingly I dismissed all apprehensions, and devoted myself to the work. Not only so, but I incurred addi- tional expense to enable me to get my travelling done more rapidly. 1 had reached Wallace on 2Uh August last, and was preparing for work, when on Saturday, 28th, I received a letter intimating that another had been appointed in my place, and would assume charge on 1st September, Mr. Rand closed his letter with these words — '* I desire 8 to orfprcss the liigh egtimation in which your services have been held l)y myself since you occupied the office." I would rather a thousand times receive an injury than inflict one. I would rather receive such a letter than write it. No gold would tempt me to do it. Of course I exonerate Mr. Rand, who, from the terms of the letter, reprobated the deed. The dismissal was on the robber's maxim, "Lot him take who has the power," or the Ame- rican version, "To the victors belong the spoils." I wonder this most abominable maxim is ever uttered in a Christian land without a shudder. It does not come from heaven but from hell. That letter I sliowed to Stephen Fulton, P]sq., and ex- pressed my intention of rendering prompt obedience, until I should find out whether the dismissal and appoint- ment were legal or not. Accordingly on Monday morn- ing I started for Amherst, and next lay for Halifax, in order to ascertain how it was that Mr. Rand could re- commend the appointment of another person from the clerical order, and the dismissal of a faithful servant to make room for him. On arriving in Halifax I found that Mr. Rand was in the country, from which he did not return for a week. In the meantime I had interviews with the Hon. Messrs. Vail and Annand, who assured me again and again that there was no charge against me of incompetency or neg- lect of duty. Mr. Annand stated that the act was done because there was a "pressure from influential men in Cumberland and Halifax, which they could not resist." I also prepared a memorial to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, which was presented to General 9 Doyle by the llov. George Townshend, and myself. His Excellency agreed to lay it before his advificrs, and give its prayer his moral support. On Mr. Rand's return to Halifax I applied for informa- tion regarding tlie whole affair of my removal from office, when the correspondence to be found in the Appendix took place, which establishes the following facts : — 1. There is no formal minute of my removal and the appoint?nent of another in my place. There is therefore no legal proof of any appointment at all. 2. Political pressure on the Government was the sole cause of alleged action. 3. Tlio Superintendent was opposed to my dismissal and stated that he had reason to doubt the fitness for the office of the person who was pressing for it. 4. To make amends for the injustice admitted to be done me, Mr. Vail stated the willingness of the Council to appoint me to the first eligible vacancy. It is pertinent to inquire here how the Council could aDpoint me to any situation at all, if I were really dis- missed because I was not a native of Cumberland. At one time it was suggested that I should be sent to Digby. These letters were handed to the Editor of the Mornimj Chronicle for insertion ; but up to this time they have not been published. STATE OF THE QUESTION. "Let us now look for a moment at the principle which is at stake. — A meritorious Educational officer is summa- rily dismissed, in an illegal manner, to make room for a political friend. Mr. George was politically inoffensive. 10 As an Educationist, no fault was found with him. Yet he was illegally dismissed. Is this to be allowed in Nova Scotia ? Is the Executive Council to usurp the functions of the Council of Public Instruction ? Is Education to become the arena of political partizanship of the meanest aud most virulent tj^pe ? Is an efficient officer to be ille- gally dismissed whenever pressure is brought to bear on members of the Government ? These are questions which must be met. "We have said nothing about Mr. D. which we are not fully able to prove not only by oral testimony, but by official documents. We have stated that he has been ap- pointed on political grounds ; and Mr. Annand is our authority for the statement. The Government have never denied that this is a fact * they cannot and dare not deny it in the face of the testimony which is under our hand. We have stated that Mr. Georgo was dismissed without cause ; and this we can prove without the slight- est difficulty. No charge whatever was brought against him ; and none can be produced. We challenge contra- dictions on these points." Such is the questio'"' «« it prese^\ts itself to a very able writer in the pre .3, whose views of Education have al- ways been of the most liberal and enlightened character. The challenge given has never been accepted. No one has even pretended to attempt r^ny defence of the deplor- able folly and gross injustice perpetrated. Official docu- mients and unimpeaGhal^ '-^ oral testimony render it a hope- less task to refute these statements, or answer these ques- 11 tions. The facts cannot be disputed. The arguments are unanswerable. It is thus obvious that the late appoiutment was purely political and partizan. The good of the people and the efficient supervision of education in the county never en- tered into the calculation at all. The question is thus happily divested of all side issues and irrelevant matter, and stands pure and simple before the people demanding a decisive answer. Shall the interests of Education be sacrificed to political considerations? Shall the office of Inspector be made a prize to be contended for by hostile parties ? In every civilized country, and in Nova Scotia till now, Education has been kept sacred and inviolate from the intrusion of party strife. It has been instinc- tively felt that it would be a fearful profanation to intro- duce the unholy passions of partizan warfare into the pre- cincts of Schools and Universities. The Church and the School have affijrded a noble neutral ground. I know of only one locality in this Province where a different policy prevailed at a season when madness ruled the hour ; but it should serve for a warning, not an example to be imi- tated. The folly of having a Tory School and a Liberal School was speedily manifest to all men, and therefore soon abandoned. But in Cumberland at thip moment there is a worse exhibition — politics grasping the super- vision, not of one school, but of all the scnools and party feelings fanned into a flame. I have the most reliable information that appeals have been made with temporary success to the ignorance and selfishness of certain localities. Persons have been told that I had caused the withdrawal of the Book Grant and I' ' 12 wanted to stop the grants of money to the Bchools. The fact that the Boards of School Commissioners con- demned certain old and insuflScient schoolhouses, has also been used to excite odium against me. If the policy is henceforth to be to arrest Education^ progress by pandering to the selfishness and ignorance, which exist in too many localities, I am thankful not to be the agent of such suicidal folly. I contentedly bear the odium in- curred by faithful devotion to Educational interests. At the same time I recollect the proverb, " A lie has no legs." What will you, sir, and the devoted Teachers through- out the Province, say, when you learn that one of your number, against whom no charge could be brought, and who enjoyed the confidence of the Superintendent of Education, has been hurled from office to make way for a person of another profession, whose claims to the posi- tion are founded on political services to a party at the election of 1867 ? The conclusion is inevitable, and the conviction must be forced on you, that the only way to obtain promotion in the Educational service of the coun- try, is not exclusive attention to the duties of your pro- fession, but services which no man of honor and principle can render without degradation and disgrace. Such being the case, who will in future be willing to submit to all the discomforts and privations incident to the calling without any prospect of promotion ? Every true teacher glows with enthusiasm towards his profession, whose prosperity lies at the foundation of the intellectual, moral and material welfare of communities, and whose service is the most useful and honorable, next to the sacred pro- fession. Are the teachers of the Province then prepared 13 to see our School System degraded, and our Educational interests ruined by becoming the sport of politicians ? I have no wish to disguise or underestimate my per- sonal wrongs. I have been an educationist all my life, and have filled positions of respectability and influence in Scotland, and in Nova Scotia. I have given all the support In my power to every scheme for the improve- ment of Education. I therefore accept the sympathy and assistance of my friends in the spirit in which they are offered. But I ask them to forget me, and think only of the principle assailed and trampled under foot in my per- son. That principle is of vital importance to Educational interests, and must be vindicated at all hazards. No amount of misrepresentation and personal abuse ought to deter the friends of Education from the discussion of the question. " We should all be patriots, were it not for the losses and misrepresentations to which patriotism exposes us." " The triumphing of the wicked is short." " The mills of the Gods grind slowly, but they grind surely." It almost seems that public spirit has left society, and that the race of martyrs in any cause is ex- tinct. But a short and sharp contest cannot fail to issue in the triumph of the principle, No politics m Education. STATE OF THE LAW. The Education Act, sect, vi., (2), enacts as follows : — " The Council of Public Instruction shall have power to appoint, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Education, an Inspector of Schools for each County of the Province." An attentive perusal of this clause will satisfy any one liii 14 that the responsibility of recommending the Inspector is by the Law devolved upon the Superintendent of Educa- tion, and upon him alone. Neither the Co mcil of Public Instruction, nor the members for the Count/ possess that responsibility. The reason is obvious. The Council do not recommend because there .might be a danger of plac- ing in the office partizans unfit for the work. The mem- bers do not recommend for the same reason, and also be- cause the Inspector is not a County, but a Provincial officer, appointed by a central and not by a local author- ity, and paid by the Province, and not the County. He is almost wholly under the control of the Superintendent, except in some matters, as clerk of the Board. Were the provisions of the last amendment to the Education Act carried out, this would appear manifest without any explanation or argument. Suppose Cumber- land and Colchester united for purposes of Inspection, the whole of the outcry about a local man would become perfectly absurd. In New Brunswick there are only four Inspectors to fourteen (14) Counties, and their districts are changed periodically. It would be rather difficult to apply the rule of nativity in that Province. The New Brunswickers will enjoy a hearty laugh at the "main reason '' for my dismissal. I committed the " atrocious crime " of not being born in the County of Cumberland. " The duties of Inspectors are at once weighty and re. sponsible, and demand for their faithful discharge sound attainments, both literary and professional.'^ So say the Comments. But they say nothing about the necessity of being a resident for a gi\en number of y€:\rs, or a native of the County. It was reserved for the jealousy of self- 15 ' interest to discover that indispensable qualification. A hundred reasons may be assigned for appointing a non- resident, to one for selecting a resident. But I need not enumerate them. When the Education Act was under discussion in the Provincial Legislature, the Press expressed its fears that the cause of Educatir n would suffer from the Constitution of the Council of Public Instruction ; and their apprehen- sions were not groundless. The same views were urged in the Assembly by Messrs. Archibald and Annand ; and the appointment of Inspectors was made to depend on the recommendation of the Superintendent. This was supposed to be an effectual check and safeguard. How the law has become a dead letter, will be made apparent when the Local Legislature meets. Some, who then ad- vocated just and rational views, appear in practice to have renounced them. My dismissal I do not hesitate to characterize as a bold infraction of both the letter and spirit of the Law. CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATION OF THE LAW, PRESENT AND PROSPECTIVE. Regarding Law in general, the judicious Hooker beau- tifully remarks, "The seat of Law is the bosom of God, her voice the harmony of the world ; all things in heaven and earth, angels and men, with uniform consent admire her, as the mother of their peace and joy." Judged by its fruits, tlie Education Law must be pronounced highly beneficial. Its aim is to secure a good education for every child in Nova Scotia. To a very large extent it has been successful. Progress will mainly depend upon K wise and vigorous administration, and exemption from the rivalry of contending parties. Now the recent appoint- ment of a partizan, who is generally believed to be incom- petent, has been already followed by disastrous results. Public confidence is fearfully shaken, and party spirit ragep uncontrolled. It is apparent that a wedge has been Introduced, which will rend asunder our whole system. Whenever the Local Government changes, the Inspec- tors will go out of oflSco, and their places be filled by ad- herents of a diiferent party. The evil will become more aggravated with the lapse of time. Inspectors will be re- garded with contempt, and Education will share the dis- grace. The inevitable results must bo disorganization and decay. No common interest can prosper amidst fierce contention. 1 ■I OPINION IN THE COUNTY. The opinion in the i?""ieral community, especially among Clergymen, Commissioners, and Trustees, the parties in the best position to judge, may be learned from the following Address, jwhich, without any efibrt, was signed by 110 persons, comprising seven Clergymen, eight Barristers, five Physicians, and many leading and influential men. This may be taken as a good index of the state of feeling throughout the County. The question of course is not one of mere numbers. If nine-tenths of the people had favoured the act instead of denouncing it, that would not be the slightest palliation of its cruelty and injustice. There is one immutable law of justice, written in the heart of man, and in the Book, by which every action must be weighed. Tested by that ■*■ n - «Uudard, what does the action in question appear but a gross ,„,„u,ty and flagrant breach of faith ? :'l>\o foliovring: documents will speak for thems solves COPY OF ADDRJiSS. To F. W. George., AV/., €ou„";^fc;-rc4ndi^^^^^^^^^^^^^ tion, ha^o hoar.l wit! n ucl, eonll T '■""'? "* ^^'J'"'''- nJu^:;:s,:!;^.hr^h:"L?;;X^ln?f s "S'^ «--"■ i»g your capability and succXn „?.,''"'''!" '''•'"?''«'■ of the county i« aln>ost Ssa, wf,'.'° '\" fr^' upon a tiuie not far distant wl,? *. ''"" ^''"^ '^^'^^ schools was very d flb e„t from tl '„ ° "'"^'"'■"" "^ ""^ we consider tha^ by you; iXi '?-,?'''''?''*'''**-' ' ""'' imp.-ovenn,n,t have bee,rcffeetcHi ^'^ ^' '" '■""™ '""' ~ Is t ,S' dSroTs =' l^T' 7°" ^o- yotrr''nofL?"d:;;!-ed«:f"'"^ but that /ou mav ac',?nT^ , • T'"'/''''"*'^''-' services, which yol h,W b ^, '"so'"u jus'tt':^^!" ""> f - f'-™ missed. unjustly and causelessly dis- We are, Dear Sir, With great respect (Signed) ^''"'^ ^^^t- Servants, Alex; ri?l'' "^n ^^ ^'^P- P^^t^^S Alexi. Clarke, D. D., Kef. Presb Min A rhomson, Presb. Miu. wia«MB 18 hm; ^i|:i [Hi Goorg'e Townsliend, C. ofE. Clergyman^ CuinrnrJ W. F. Cutten, Commr. R. ]>. Dic'koy, Schator, Joseph Mooro, M. D. JoliM W. Smith, County Treasurer; Thomas R. Black, J. P., Trustee, Martin Bhick, C. E. Katchford, jr., barrister, B. Doug'Uis, Mercliaiit, J. P., W. M. Sleep, do. Wm. Fowler, S. R. Greenfield, W'rn. (rreenfield, J. P., Geo. II. Ilenshaw, Engineer Int. Railway, John llillson, J. Albert Black, editor "Gazette," Cyrus Black, J. P. W. J. Hamilton, W. D. Main, J. P., Trustee, Atcheson Moffat, Trustee, W. M. Fullerton, Q. C. R. K. Smith, J. P., Sidney Kinder, C. W. Kinder, 0. A, Sharp, Luther Baker, J. P, J. E, Purdy, C. A. Black, M. D., John T. Mellish, B. A., II. M. Co. Academy, Charles J. Townshend, Barrister, R. B. Boft-gs, Manager Joggins Mine, Lucius Dickson, Merchant, R, B. Iluestis, do., Robert Donkin, J. P., Commr. Samuel Taylor, Bayard Dodge, Alex. Robb, 19 Natlian Tupper, M. D., C. J. Stewart, J. D. Kin near, Barrister, If. In^^'is Mofiatt, Barrister, Alex. McFarlanc, Barrister and Q. C, James Ritehy, J. E. McDonald, Eliakini Xewcomb, Gv^o. W. Boggs, Geo. Dewis, Henry Diinlap, Merchant, John Eoss, do. W. C. Ilewson, Rufus Enibrec, Merchant, Harvey 0. Block, Geo. Browne Ansley Steeves, H. Carruthers, Geo. Keys, Johnson Lewis, C. A. Lowe, F. W. Bent, Barrister, Andrew Coffey, F. A. Donkin, J. P., C. W. Ilewson, Wm. George, Baptist Minister, J. A. McKerrow, W. M. Read, John F. Wilson, Nathan Buhner, Rufus B. Brown, R. C. Siiarp, John Cooper, C. P. Sharp, Joseph Cove, Geo. Dimock, W. C. Dimock, I'll D. F. Quigley, Wm. Bennett, R. S. Smith, Charles Smith, Geo. B. Smith, James Moffat, John Bates, Edward S. Smith, M. D. Pride, E. E. Cleveland, Wm. A. McDonald, Charles Keillor, J. D. Fillmore, Charles Skidmore, Isaac Forrest, Nathan B. Morris, Commr. F. Kelly, Trustee, Thomas Livingston, f James Ward, Commr. Charles Ward, Enoch Morris, Joshua Morris, Charles Morris, Samuel Morris, J. Hiram Black, J. P. To a similar address are appended the following names j Rev. W. B. King, Chairman Parrsboro Board, " Duncan McKinnon, Commr. Edward Vickery, do. Francis Carroll, do. N. B. Morris, do. James Ward, do. 21 to office '-!!^"'''^ ^'' ^''^'*^''" ^''' ^^'- ^«^^&«'« restoration James Anderson, Minister of Ciiurch of Scotland, 1. Watson Smith, Wesle;yan Minister. Vv. B. Iluestis, Wm. Fulton, Millard Kempton, M. D., Thomas M. Morris, John W. Morris, Silas Fulton REPLY. To Ike licv. p A Sleele, A, M., and Ihe other gentlemcu who signed the Address. "^ Genti RMKN,-! beg most sincerely to return vou mv JZTV T^f/""': ^""' ^"^'^ ^^°^ '-^"d sympathetic Ad dress, which affords me much encouragement in t)resont circumstances. Your high appreciation%f my scrv (fesl^ Inspector of Schools is exceedingly grrtifyin^ to my fLt Appointed by the former Council of Public Instruction a Kl eon ,rmcd by he present, I entered on the discha ^e ot my duties with a firm resolution to d-voto rnvBelf wholly to my work, which you are pleased to say 1 aj ,o been atogeher ,„ vain. Having carefully .-Ltaincd from interfenng with anything beyond my province, in common w.th yourselves I was surprised at the causeless ; Fdr.r •■"=.'/«, ">''^'' y"" r^fr'-- Though 1 have beet h ,i 1 ' f "r m*^"'' ^''"*y y'"''^ I ''»^« been suddenly huilod out of office to give place to a person of another C F ;." r' '^'"'l? ','""" '« ^"^^'^ °" Political services a[ ast Election. Such an act proclainis that a new and langerous element has been introduced into the Educa- tional p„ ,cy of the Province. We are henceforth to have political Inspectors and other school oiBcers. As often as we have a change of Government we shall have new ■77 22 * [li Inspectors, more and more incompetent and unj)rinciplcd, hocause no man ol'scholarHliip and character will degrade himself by accepting an appointment on snch terms. It does not rec^nire proplietic knowledge to predict tlie dis- astrons consequences to Education. I am not contending for a situation, but a principle of vital importance to the Educational interests of the Pro- vince, which the voice of the people will approve and vindicate. In spite of misrepresentation an; OPINION OF BODY OF TEACHERS, AND THE PUBLIC. " The following resolution was adopted at the last meet- ing of the Teachers' Provincial Convention : ' Resolved, That we hereby respectfully express to the Educational authorities that it is the opinion of the As- I 28 sociation that in tbo appointment of Inspootors it should l»e their aim and polic-y to select them from Wu) teaching;- prolession rather than from the clerical, lepcal, medical, or other walks of life; and that special Jifnr.s.'^ for (he office, he the only considoralion allowed lo injluoice sucJf np/,oinl))ienfs.' " In conformity with the above resolution, the officers of the Association have presented a petition to tin; Council of J^ublic Instruction, praying that Mr. 1^\ W. Goorgc be restored to his position as Inspector of Sclnxds for the ('ounty of Cumberland." Tiie above paragraph has appeared in several news- papers, and shows how the Teachers of the Province re- gard the dismissal, and the fixtal principle of introducing political considerations into Education. In Halifax city and elsewhere the act referred to, and the principle on which it proceeds have been vieweil with uncpialified condemnation. srWMARY OF THR CASE AS PRRSKNTKn TO TlIK LIF.UT. GOVERXOR. I iiavo been engaged for the last twenty years in the service of Education, and for thirteen years of that period in the Province of Nova Scotia. Without solicitation on my part, on the recommenda- tion of the Superintendent of Education, I was appointed on 25th October, 1867, Inspector of Schools for the County of Cumberland, by the Council at that time in ofHce, and confirmed by their successors now in office. T))o Superintendent has to the last expressed unquali- ^^^r I 24 ficd approval of the manner in which I have discliargcd my duties. At Wallace, on 28th August last I received intimation of summary dismissal without any reason assigned. On arriving at Halifax I learned from the lion. W. B. Vail, Provincial Secretary, that the members of the Coun- cil had concurred in my dismissal, trusting to the local knowledge and representations of the Tlon. W. Annand, Provincial Treasurer. When Mr. Annand was asked the reason for the act, he stated that " the pressure from influential persons in Cumberland and Halifax was so great that they could not help themselves, and were obliged to dismiss me." Both gentlemen stated in ihe most explicit manner that there was no charge of incom- petency or neglect of duty. I submit that my case is one not merely of great per- sonal injustice, and breach of faith, but that it involves the dearest interests of every NovaScotian. The act complained of is a most glaring indication of an intention to turn the Provincial expenditure for Education into a fund to subserve party interests. Against such a course every friend of Education must solemnly protest. My dismissal is illegal, impolitic and unjust, and frauglit with unspeakable injury from the evil precedent thus established. CONCLUSION. The facts detailed cannot be disputed. The argument has not been answered, and may safely be pronounced unanswerable. It may suit the selfish objects of some, and the parly prejudices of others to pretend that nothing sad B. lin- eal Id, ed m 30 re le 1- 25 unusual Jias occurred, and no harm will result Tf n.' • uppohtics with Education bo a sou d pr.^lo^ ^^U^^^^^^^ of course produce -ood result^ • hnf if •. ^ ^ ' '" c-pio, it .i„ p,.„,:eo dri? ; ''^ ,?;::' .f"- known by its fruits " *^^^ ^''^ ran. wm ..e ..eeopte:, „';;::: 1": r "err i huomitted will carry conviction to every reader thot ih. hI lots " d w! " f"" ""■' ^■''•''' '-^ ''''''" «»i< • IS 10 scs and wrongs he will endeavour to bear with flJO patience and fortitude of a Christi.,,- T„ , enemies, persecutors and sland^e!. ""wHuS: T leviiecl, reviled not again " 2G APPENDIX. CO IlIlESl?OIVI>EIVCE. No. I. Halifax, Aur/. 2Mi, 1869. Dear Sir,— I regret that it is my duty to inform you of +lie appointment of the Rev. Mr. Darragh to the office of Mspector of Scliools in your place. Mr. Darragh will be v^Apected to assume the duties of the office on Septem- ber 1st. ^ On application from him you will please hand over all papers, books, documents, moneys, &c., &c., belonging to the office of Inspector of Schools for the county. I desire to express the high estimation in which your services have been b.eld by myself since you occupied the office. I have the honor to be, Dear Sir. Very truly yours, /. W. George, M. A., &c., &c. No. II. T. 11. Rand. ToT. H. Band, Esq., Clerk Council of Public Instruction. Dear Sir, — I request you to furnish me with a copy of the Minute of Council of Public Instruction dismissing me from my oflice and appointing another in my place. « ' 21 You will also kindlj' state the reasons on account of which I was dismissed ; and whether the act was done on your recommendation or in opposition to it. I remain, Dear Sir, Yours faithfully, F. W. George. Halifax, Sept. T, 1869. No. III. F. W. George, Esq. Dear Sir, — I have been absent from the City for a week. In reply to your letter I can only say that I was not present at the meeting of the Council when your dismis- sal was resolved on, and therefore as far as any official record is concerned, I have only the bare fact. I know of no reason for your dismissal, except that which the Hon. President of the Council pjave me,— " The Government were pressed to do it." From what I have said you will see that the act was certainly not done "upon my recommendation." Some nine months ago, when your dismissal was contemplated I expressed at length my views on the matter to the Council. I tertainly desired your continuance as Inspec- tor, for you must be aware that I have esteemed your services very highly. Very truly yours, T. II. Rand. Ms- p. s.— I should state that when I learned of yov missal, I stated to the Government that I should o. no opposition to the appointment of Mr. Darragh, but that at the same time I had reason to doubt his fitness for the office. Halifax, Sept. 9, 1869. 28 No. IV. rp Tjr r^ ^ Education Office, Sept, lOfh 1869. i'. W. George, Esq., Dear Sir -It is proper that I should inform you that the Hon. Provincial Seci;etary stated to me tliis moriii^ the willinpess of the Council to appoint you to any It is my earnest wish that your services may ere lonr. be permanently secured in connection with the Education or tne 1 rovince. Believe me Very truly yours, T. II. Kand. Nov. T. E. Rand, Esq., ceived' ^ForJ'"' ^"'7 ^^- ^-^^^^ ^'^^' ^'^' i"«^ ^'^^^ re- ceived, lor vourgood opinion and kind intentions ac- cept my warniest thanks. ''^Hnons ac- no^nrmlil'"'"''''" r^-w^ willingness of the Council to ap- point me to any eligible Educational position, which has soTe of?f '° -yf^Jf ^t-atedly in private inlen ws by some of the members of the Executive, does not atone for he injury done to the cause of Education. Tha cause t:i7homT.^" """'^^^- '' '^ ^'' ^-' - *^ ^-- ":: bu?^nf fT*'? at issue is not one of personal interest, but of Educational policy. The people of Nova Scotia are called on to decide whether the interests of Education are o be sacrificed to political considerations or not' bu^st'oTr^'^T '^ ' ^^"^ experienced, and ?he out- bmst of honest indignation at a deed which I will not pecTd T'.n '""' .'^Txf ^"^"y spontaneous aiJunex- pected. I am proud of Nova Scotia, and I leave the case 29 creed! '""'^ "'' '"= P-P'''' -"'out regard to party or from ™; "ottuoi'r^'lt^ tW TT '"■'''' - t° -edo and the ii'tereste of Ltatio^a'p^o^teoLT"' '^ '""''''"^ I remain, dear Sir, Halifax, Sept. 11 1869 Yours faithfully, ' F.W.George. No. YI. LEGAL OPINION. Tolhe Hon. John W. Ritchie ^'"'■^'"'- ^^"^ *^'- '««9- cor,':s^id"„'cT;;j£";''f i"-/S"'- consideration, mv was dismis ed by he Eveo,1tr;<'.'''''''"f ''' ^^''^ «oorge of Pubh-c Instruction' "*"' ^''"'""'' or the Council ap?dSl"iL5°e^?of clt^attt'™^*'"" ^■^™- -^ the Superintendent if Educatfon ^ocommendation of r remain, &c,, &c. F. W. George. OPINION. I have no means of knowins whether \r. r dismissed by the E'tecntivn r„. •■ "• '^ooi'ge was Council of Public InstruXnbnf "' '""'' "^ ^^ "^e conferred on the EvennH^! n ' ■}' "^ "o authority is tor of Schools I prrn'efhe""^-'' *° '^'r''' ="> '"^POO" was the act of the CounStnf P t-T^^^ "^ ^^'- «oorge the Legislature LintZLJf^"'''''' Instruction, to whom of Education "''^'^ the general superintendence 80 Though the Act is silent regarding' the power to ais- miss an li.spector who has proved himself unqualified for the office, or who has misconducted himself, 1 am of opinion that the Council of Public Instruction has the power of dismissal, for in addition to the general control given to that body, the Act authorizes it to make pro- visions, not inconsistent with its terms, to meet exigen- cies occurring under its operation. The Council of Public Instruction cannot in my opinion legally appoint ai Inspector of Schools contrary lo, or wilhout the recommendation of the Superintendent of Eduea- (ion, for the act explicitly states that the appointment is to be made upon the recommendation of that officer, and the power of appointment by the Government without that recommendation is limited to certain officers named in the Act. J. W. Ritchie. Halifax, 20th Sept., 1869. */ VII. COPY OF PETITION FROM TEACHERS PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATION. To the Honorable the Council of Public Instruction : We, the undersigned, officers of the Provincial Asso- ciation of Nova Scotia, beg respectfully to state that we have learned with deep regret that F. W. George, Esq., has been dismissed from the office of Inspector of Schools for Cumberland County, more particularly as his dismis- sal and the appointment of his successor are understood, and generally recognized, to be on political grounds. We are of opinion that making Educational appoint- ments either really or seemingly political, would be pro- ductive of the most destructive consequences to the educational interests of Nova Scotia. The Association has always held that the higher educa- tional appointments should be looked forward to by the ^ ^ 81 toaelicrs, and serve as a stimulus to tlicir energy, ana to their improvement in the science, aa well as the practice of teacliiiig, aixl as a reward lor their success in the pro- fession t(j which they have devoted their talents ; and we regret that in the dismissal of Mr. George, a successful teacher of many years' standing, and at present the Secretary of the Association, and in the appointment of a giintle'man entirely unknown in our educational work, 1 lie Teachers of the Province are apparently obliged to realize that no manifestation of talent, or eininence in their profession, will obtain or secure for them its higher situations of trust, responsibility and remuneration. In approaching your Honorable Body on the present occasion, and in making these representations, we trust we shall not be considered as ourselves trespassing on political ground, but we feel that our position as officers of the Association, demands of us, that we should make known our views on this subject ; and we beg, with all proper deference, to submit, that great benelit will result irom replacing Mr. George in tlie position from which he has been, we doubt not, somewhat hastily dismissed. And remain, Very respectfully, feigned by Officers of the Association.] I