Correspondence.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 267, 9 June 1868, Page 3

Correspondence.

In giving publicity to any communication having reference to a matter of public interest, we do not necessarily endorse the opinions contained therein. All letters -must be accompanied bK the writer's name and address as a guaranteof their authenticity, and to ensure their ine seriion, must be sent in two days prior to vublication. {To the Editor of tlie Westport Times and Charleston Argus.) Sir, —Please to insert the following observations on the late proceedings of the Educational Committee of Westport. Some of your readers may be ready to ask what injustice has been done and what sacrifice of principle has been made. If such an inquiry should arise in the minds of any one, let me call his attention to the fact, which is well known to many in Westport. Nearly two years ago Mr Eraser came to Westport, when Westport was in anything but a nourishing condition, and at the request of several heads of families resident in Westport, he opened a school. The building was erected at his own expense, and every requisite for a school suitable to the requirements of the district were also supplied by Mr Eraser when there was very little prospect of him receiving any remuneration, not even a personal sustenance, from the proceeds of the fees then paid. Still, Mr Eraser stood to his post unflinchingly, in the midst of all difficulties, giving the utmost satisfaction to all parties concerned, with only two or three exceptions; and I can also state confidently that Mr Eraser showed no inattention whatever to the instruction of many children whose parents were not in a position to pay the regular fee charge, and were gratuitously instructed and cared for so long as they conformed to the rules of the school. Now, when there is anything like a remuneration to be derived for the education of the children of Westport, it is given to an entire stranger, who I question very much has ever seen Westport or put a helping hand towards its advancement. Let honor be given to whom honor is due. Take Mr Eraser's past indefatigable labors, his self-denial, and the large Christian charity evinced by him in taking up the interests of the rising generation, when no one else cared for them. I maintain if any man has merited the appointment of schoolmaster for Westport that man is Mr Eraser, and who will in justice deny it ? But, sir, what is still worse, Mr Eraser bad no intention of making application for the appointment until he was pressed by the chairman of the committee to apply, he (the chairman) assuring him that he would be the successful candidate. He stated to Mr Erazer that he was chairman of that Committee, and had sufficient influence to turn the election which ever way he chose (so much for the individual independence of our leading men). Not only does he not vote for him, as he promised, but ignores Mr Erazer's competency on the complaint of one woman, notwithstanding Mr Erazer holds a duly qualified certificate from the Inspector of Government schools, and a memorial signed by one hundred and thirty householders, a great many of whom, are parents of the children interested. On the memorial the chairman made some very gratuitous remarks which are neither more nor less than as many gratuitous insults to the public of Westport, that they did not know what they were signing, and that they were prepared to sign anything in the shape of a memorial without considering the merits of the document, pro or con. Now, does the chairman of that Committee think we were all in a state of unconsciousness when we signed that memorial, as has alleged to be tho condition of the husband when he signed that document, or does he presume that the public of Westport are unprincipled, and devoid of common sense. I question very

much the legality of the recent appointment of schoolmaster for Westport, notwithstanding Mr Tyhr's explanation, as it appears to me that they are ignorant of some of the functions of a local committee, or else they assume powers which no other local committee has hitherto possessed—that is, empowering one of its members to purchase books and other requisites for the school at Westport; this they have no power to do, it lies solely with the Central Board, to select and purchase books and every other requisite for district schools. I may, for the information of the public, state that all this has been done weeks ago and they are only waiting for transmission to Westport on the completion of the school-house. I think, sir, that the rate-payers of Westport ought to raise the question as to the legality of the appointment of Mr Phillips as teacher to the district school of Westport. Hoping that you will excuse my trespass upon your space on this occasion. I am, Sir, &c, An Old Westporttan.