The New Orleans Democrat

Wonderful, Transcendent Magnanimity.

Editor Democrat—Under the caption of 'Happy Teachers,' 'Good News for the Teachers,' 'A Generous Act,' etc., the following correspondence appeared in Sunday's papers:

OFFICE BOARD SCHOOL DIRECTORS,
New Orleans, June 24, 1876.

J. L. Gubernator, Esq., President Citizens' Savings Bank:

Dear Sir—In view of the near approach to the long summer vacation, during which the teachers receive no pay, it is desirable that all possible financial relief should be afforded, to enable some to seek health by a change of climate and others to meet necessary expenses until the schools reopen in the fall. The payment of the roll for September, 1874, would tend to this end; but there are lacking several thousand dollars of enough to make the payment. As your bank has on several previous occasions advanced the amount required, a similar course at this time would be gratefully appreciated and alleviate in some degree the unfortunate embarrassment of our worthy teachers. Very respectfully,

HENRY C. DIBBLE, Pres't. School Board.

THE RESPONSE.
Citizens' Savings Bank,
June 24, 1876.

H. C. Dibble, Esq., President School Board:

Dear Sir—Your letter of this date is received, desiring to know whether this bank will advance the amount required for the payment of the teachers' roll for September, 1874.

In reply, I would state that the amount required will be cheerfully advanced by this bank, and the cashier has been directed to make all necessary arrangements.

Very respectfully,

J. L. GUBERNATOR, President.

The teachers are unwilling to believe that the press of New Orleans would knowingly thus make themselves parties to placing them in such a false position. The writer hopes you will aid in showing up this imposition, so ingeniously calculated to create the impression that the teachers' hardships exist only in their own imagination. Their ills are great enough already. It is no pleasant thing to have a dozen or so relentless creditors importuning one at all times and in all places with the consciousness that there is no money to pay, yet hungry mouths that must have bread. The injustice of increasing these unfortunates by creating the impression that the teachers have friends (God save them from such friends), who generously tender these funds ($12,000) for their benefit, without any charge, is evident.

The facts are these: A bank holds probably two-thirds of the September roll for 1874, while there are scarcely twenty of the teachers who own one cent of it. There are about $25,000 in the treasury toward paying the roll, and a State apportionment to cover the deficit expected daily. This bank wishes to realize this cash on hand, and so generously advances itself $12,000 and takes in $25,000 beside. Worse than all, the belief is shamelessly created that they are 'alleviating in some degree the embarrassment of our worthy teachers.'

Wonderful, transcendent magnanimity! Had these friends been so anxious to aid the teachers why did they not solicit an advance on the May roll of the present year, which is principally held by the teachers themselves?

Ichabod Crane.