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About The Daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 3, 1879)
w '- .1 gfts gailaj Qstsxiuu. ASTORIA. OREGON: D. C. IRELAND Editor. FRIDAY JA20JAKY 3, 1879 "An Oasis in the Desert." The Slar Chamber Committee Kcport. The long expected report of the Star-chamber committee has at length been given to the public, and while our space forbids general comment at present upon the many phases of corruption which the re port pretends to present, in view of the fact that the selling of ex amination papers to persons am bitious to become teachers in our sister state California, has raised one of the loudest noises that has ever been made through the press of that state, we are somewhat as tonished to see this in the Oregon smiling committee repert: The committee also desire to state that the books, papers and vouchers of Professor L. L. Row land are in a complete and intelli gible condition, and the committee believe that this officer has per formed his duties as superintend ent of public instruction in an honest, systematic, and straight forward manner. His conduct is an oasis in the desert of official inefficiency and peculation in the state administration of the past four years. That Mr. Rowland's papers are intelligible we are not prepared to deny. That they are "complete" we are certain is false; that the duties have been performed in a "systematic manner" may be true, but it has been a system of fraud, and not of "honesty." "We assert without fear of successful contra diction, that during the last four years the department of education at Salem has been conducted in a manner that would in many coun tries send the Rev. Mr. Rowland, this "oasis in the desert to prison" for a term of years. There has been some villainous things devel oped in California, but none that can compare in shamelessness with the actions of this "oasis" Row land. "We assert that for coin the highest certificates in the state have been given without so much as a pretense of examination. That women, who in county examina tions could barely get the lowest grade, have been given state and life diplomas. That the standard was placed high to make it profita ble. Even for a common certifi cate the law says: "He shall strictly examine all persons who apply to him for certificates." Speaking of the state board the law sa3Ts: The board shall have power to invite not less than four profes sional teachers to assist in the semi-annual examinations; but such assistants shall not be allowed any pay, other than is provided for in this act, concerning fees for diplomas and certificates. rtNot less than four professional teachers." Now attend to this fact; when the parties were will ing to pay, 7io examination was necessary, the matter was easily arranged. How much this one got, or how much Rowland got, we 'were in hopes this committe would discover. We go further, we doubt if during the past four years there have been two state diplo mas or life diplomas issued upon examination, and the whole num ber issued is not far from a hun dredperhaps the investigating com niitteacan tell just how many? Mr. Rowland's successor, the Rev. Mr. Powell, was a very useful man to, the comittee; did the committee discover from the "complete" records of Mr. Rowland's office that Mr. Powell holds one of those Vleft-handed" diplomas? Did Mr. Powell tell them that Gov. -Grover at first refused to sign"his diploma; and that it took Mr. Carin two! days to persuade him? Did he tell you, gentlemen, that he, Mr. Ring and Mr. Crawford, raised a sum jointly or separately, or did he show you in the "complete" pa pers how Mr. Rowland figured up ninety per cent, on eleven differ ent branches, without asking a question? Did he tell you how much it cost to get a diploma? Did Mr. Rowland tell you whom he intended to gull when in his biennial report of 1S76, he says: Candidates for life diplomas and state diplomas, must present to the board satisfactory testimonials of good moral character, and of marked success in teaching for a period of three years, of which at least one year must have been in Oregon, and must pass acceptable examinations in all the studies prescribed for a county certificate, and in the following in additien: General history, algebra, geometry, composition, English literature, book-keeping, physiology natural philosophy, theory and practice of teaching, constitution of the United States and constitution and school law of the state of Oregon. To obtain a life diploma, a candidate must answer correctly at least ninety per cent, of all the ques tions; and to obtain a state diplo ma, he must answer correctly at least seventy-five per cent, of the questions. It has been said of Mr. King, Mr. Crawford and Mr. Powell, there was no need to examine them, they certainly could pass examination. It is a sufficient answer to say that the law is no regarder of persons; and any hon est man knows that if they had felt certain-of their ability to get diplomas according to law they would not have tried to get them in violation of it. The law says: Sec. IS. The proceedings of each session of the board shall be pub lished for general distribution, con taining, in addition to the ordinary proceedings, the4 result of the ex aminations for certificates. Did the investigating committee see any of these results? Did all have over ninet' per cent? Are the answers on file? Will the pa pers show who were the examiners in each particular case? No, gen tleman; no, nothing of the kind. You know this, or else you know nothing about it. Some may say: "Why do you mention Mr. King, Mr. Crawford, and Mr. Powell?" Because they were the first to open the gate. They have acted as sponsors for others; they have had the brass to pretend that there was no violation of law in the matter, and they are drawing large salaries, upon these certincates, ana are aware that other teachers in the Portland schools are doing the same, notwithstanding that the law says: Sec. 48. If any board of direc tors shall draw a warrant on the school fund for the wages of any teacher who has not obtained a certificate as required by this act, and laid the same before the di rectors for their inspection, such district shall forfeit its proportion of the school fund for the year. Sec. 19 was a very useful section to the state board. If a person had ever lived in the neighborhood of a Normal school, large or small, or had a cousin or an acquaintance that had attended one, the matter was easily arranged, if they were thought to be financially sound. Read the section and then we will illustrate its applicatien: Sec. 19. The state board may, at their discretion, grant, without examination, diplomas and certifi cates to persons presenting authen ticated diplomas or certificates from other states, of the like grade and kind, as those granted by the board of this state. The Rev. Mr. Jones had a di ploma from California; it stated on its face that Mr. Jones had passed a satisfactory examination. J Xhe board were pleased to' 'gran,t the Rev. Jones a diploma. Mr. Rowland is a Rev., and of course had a "fellow-feeling51 for Jones; and Mr. Chadwick is almost a Rev., and has a fellow-feeling for every one. Here was a safe case, and so they determined to let the Rev. Mr. Jones see how exact and law abiding they were. They gave Mr. Jones to understand it would be necessary to authenticate the diploma; then it came out that Mr. Jones had the diploma, but that he had never passed the ex amination. His friends, his well known experience, his unquestion able merit, had secured him the honor of a diploma without the "degradation" of an examination. The board were surprised, not to say chagrined. They could not pretend that the diploma was good, after what they had said; they cut the Gordian knot; they declared that the fact that' Mr. Jones had the courage, the honesty to tell the truth about the matter, so surprised, so overwhelmed them, that they felt constrained to show that the were not insensible to the moral grandeur of his character, and to mark their admiration of truth, they would give him a diploma that substantially asserts that out of 110 questions, on eleven branch es, he had answered 09. when the 7 7 truth of common people would be that he had not answered one. Did you discover, gentlemen, that an ex-president of a collegiate institute, connected with the Port land High-school, had the misfor turne while J. J. Browne was county superintendent, to get only a second-grade county certificate, and that thereupon the Rev. L. L. Rowland, D. D., this "oasis," did urge the state board to grant a life diploma to the said gentleman "on account of his high social standing;" and that furthermore one of the teachers of examination took occasion there and then to tell the Rev. L. L. Rowland what he thought about the matter; and what the people would think about it, if they once got to understand it? And did you, among the "com plete" papers of this "oasis," find a resolution of the board that no more diplomas should be issued without examination? And did you discover, furthermore, that the promise was a lie; that the resolu tion was a snare, and that, like a river, their course of knavery broad ened and deepened as it came to its close? At the institute held in Salem, August, 1S77, the follow ing resolution was presented by Professor Marsh: Resolved, That in the opinion of this institute it is unwise as well as unfair and illegal for state cer tificates or diplomas to be issued to applicants, otherwise than on regular examinations before the board, or on presentation of similar certificates or diplomas from anoth er state. Mr. Syl. C. Simpson offered the following substitute: "Whereas, We have been in formed that it is the determination of the state board of examination hereafter to issue the state diplo mas and certificates provided for by law only to candidates who have been duly examined and found worthy, to those who present sim ilar diplomas or certificates from other states, and to retiring mem bers of the board, therefere: Resolved, by the Oregon State Teachers' institute, That we heart ily approve this determination of the board, believing that the prac tice of granting such diplomas and certificates to other classes of per sons without examination is liable to great abuse, and is a prolific source of jealousy and dissension among the teachers of the state, and thai the inflexible rule of the board on the subject should be "equal and exact justice o all, and special privileges to none'." And the Rev. L. J. Powell got up and introduced a "love feast," and a camp-meeting,. right, in thet midst of the institute, and begged them, and implored them, not to destroy harmony and good feeling and gentle and brotherly love, by passing such a resolution. And King, and Rowland, and Crawford peddled diplomas, and positions in the Portland schools, and promises some of which have not been kept and the matter was post poned but not forever. Gentlemen of the investigating committee, there were some four or five thousand dollars in this ed ucational job; there were many in terested in keeping it quiet; it has been kept quiet. You have made your report it was the crack of a pocket pistol when it might have been the roar of a cannon. J-We desire it to be distinctly understood that those who send us ad vertisements from abroad, must send the cash with the advertisements- if they would have them appear. "We have numbers of advertisements sent us from strangers saving, "Please insert aad send uni.' This we cannot do; the cash must accompan y theeopy and the order. BORN. In Astoria, December 31, 1878, to the wife of E. B. Parkerr a son. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Farter! Natitfe. MTE VARIOUS COMPANIES OF THE X Astoria Fire UenArtuieafc are requested to attend the funeral! rtf Mr! Ferdinand Fer- to attend the funeral! rtf Mr! Ferdinand Fer-! rell. member of Astoria Engine Co. No. 1, ..... "lv;,. rv. .'n i wiiicit will take piatfe on Friday, January church. i&Tfl.at li) o ciocK Ajryj., atMJrace (K ninco nan C. J. fllEXCHAllD. Ulnct' Engineer, a. f. d. Astoria, Jan. 2, 1S70, 2-dlt ;tukpi:v house. D. L. TBJtPIN - - - Fkoivrietor, MAIN STREET, 2ween.Kquemocqhe and Jefferson, J aVtoria, Oregon. farid lodging per week .0 so lioary par day ....7. 1 00 Single Meal 2S Tue table will be supplied at all times with the best the market affords. Q E. BELL ATTORNEY AT LAW, Notary Public and Commissioner of Deeds for California and Washington Territory. Agtorin, Oregon. Office Corner of Snuemocqhe and Cass streets, up stains, ovek. S. Larsen's store. iYOTICE CAUTION. THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CAU tions everybody and gives notice that he will not be responsible for any debts con tracted by any other person than himself, for or on his account, without his written order. after this date. Also that all moneys due the undersigned on current accounts must be settled and paid within ten days, otherwise they will b put in the hands of an attorney for collection. H. R.FARKE1U Astoria, Oregon, Jan. 1, 1S7S. l-2w IT IS A POSITIVE TRUTH That housekeepers can do better bv dealing with J. K. WIRT, on Main street, as he keeps the best of FRUITS, CANDIES, NUTS. LIQTJOES AND CIGARS, SMOKED SALMOM, BOLOGNE SAUSAGE, JERKED ELK MEAT, And also from Clatsop every other day FEESH BUTTER, EGGS, CHEESE, CLAMS, DUCKS, CHICKENS, And everything that is needed in the cook ing line at the lowest living prices. Call and examine before purchasing else where. J. K. WIRT. JUST OPENED AT B. HAMBURGER'S A FINE DEY GOODS! IN ALL ITS QiXiioiTijarixiJsriQ- THE FINEST ASSORTMENT TO BE FOUND IN THE CITY. FIFTEEN DOZEN HATS RECEIVED PER STEAMSHIP OREGON, ALL OP THE LATEST STYLES. We have marked these goods down to tlie lowest mark and purchasers will do well to call on ns before purchasing. An Invoice of GOLD SILTED mJCHlIftGS, SOMETHING XEW. MAIN STREET, - - - - - I HAVE ON HAND SUGAR TOYS, GUM PASTE TOYS, DOVE BASKETS, THE FANCY BASKETS, And other Christmas Tree of plain and Fancy CANDIES, CAKES, AND CRACKERS NUTS, Which I will sell at the lowest 8cnon hnndsomoly ornamented A liberal discount to ohjrchcsfor monts at OEPOS1TE THE .git OYSTERS . SERVED BANKING AND INSURANCE. X W. CASE, ASTORIA, OREGON. BROKER AND BANKER. DEPOSITS RECEIVED IN COIN OK cur rency subject to check at sight. KS-Sight checks issued on Portland, availa ble in any part of Oregon and Washington territory. e"Sigbt checks issued on San Francisco, available m any part of the State of Cali foniKi. rSight checks issued on New York citv, available in any part of the Eastern States." ESTApproyed bills discounted. Loans made on available security. Collections made promptly. $67,000,000 CAPITAL. LIVERPOOL AND LONDON AND GLOBE, NORTH BRITISH AND MERCAN TILE OP LONDON AND EDINBURGH. OLD CONNECTICUT OF HART FORD, AND COMMERCIAL OF CALIFORNIA FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES. Representing a capital of S67.O0O,OOO. A. VAN DUSEN. Agent. Home Mutual Insurance Co, OF CALIFORNIA, .T. F. iloupiiTOx .President Ciias. II. Stokv Secretary Hamilton Boyd, u . . , Geo I Story, j Agents for Oregon Officic Northeast eorner of Stark and First streets, Portland, Okego Net Cash received for Fire-Premiums m 1S77 335,511 04 Assets, Jan. 1,1878 Liabilities . 578,005 S3 Losses vuipaid JS.!,KW 37 . Tiivwlniifle 1 iv.t tr Surplus for Trope .-tv Holders .9r747n 4T I'MIUIIIMJ ..u)l ni 5.5K ST Losses paid iu Oregon in six yearsu$ll4,5lG 72 I. "IV. C 1SR, Agent, 3-26tf Astoria. Oregon. AUCTION SALES. "P C. HOLDEN, Notary Public for the State of Oregon-. Ren! Estate Agent and Conveyancer. Agent for the FIREMEN'S FUND INSUR ANCE COMFANY of San Francisco. COMMISSION AGENT and AUCTIONEER. Bents and Accounts Collected, and re turns promptly maik. Regular sales day, SATURDAYS nt 2 P. 3T. N. B. Tarties having real estate, lurni ture or any other goods to dispose of either at auction or private sale should notify me :vs soon as convenient before the day of sale. No storage eharged on goods sold at Auc tion. L C. HOLDEN. td Auctioneer. A GIRL "W.tNTED.-To do general house work ni a small family. Address : F. O. BOX 75. 1-tf Astoria, Oregon. Barbour's IRISH FLM THREADS AND Salmon Net Twine Cotton Seine Twine, Cork and Lead Lines. BARBOUR BROTHERS, 119 Piue Street, San Francisco. HENRY DOYLE & Co.. JT"naww. STOCK OF- DRY GOODS DEPARTMENTS - - ASTORIA, OREGON. LARGEST ASSORTMENT OF HEARTS, FIGURES, FLO"WER BASKETS, CORNUCOPIAS. WAX CANDLES. Ornaments. Also, a fine lot with all kinds of FRESH ORANGES, LI3CBS AND COCOA NTKESi cash price, Will havo fii dua cakes for Christmas and Now Yoar. candies and Christmas Tree rna- BELL TO"VVER. .IN E.YEB.Y STYLE r?S - - Hmmsi 9 " V t .