Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1917 — ASK FOR REMOVAL OF SCHOOL TEACHER [ARTICLE]

ASK FOR REMOVAL OF SCHOOL TEACHER

Remarks Made By Lewiston Teacher Causes G. A. R. to Ask For Removal of Ralph Sparks, One day during the past week a teacher in the schools of Lewiston, according to his pupils, made a remark concerning the American flag which has caused considerable comment and has resulted in his being asked to resign as a teacher. Ralph Sparks, of German descent, is the teacher credited with the remark insulting the American flag. One day recently one of his pupils, a little fellow, saw the American flag floating in the distance and in a boyish manner, said that he wished he had a gun so that he could shoot a hole through the flag. Sparks is credited with having replied, “I wish I had twenty-five more like you in this school.” His remark was repeated at home by one of his pupils and the matter wes reported to the local post of the G. A. R., No. 84, and their finding in the matter is given l)€10W« “Rensselaer, Ind., Feb. 20, 1917. “It having come to the attention of members of Rensselaer Post Na 84, Grand Army of the Republic, that a teacher in the public schools of Barkley township, Jasper county, Indiana, at a meeting of the institute of that township, made remarks concerning the American flag that were disloyal and also expressions that he did not believe in a Supreme Being, the Post made some investigation and procured substantial proof that such remarks were made. “Therefore, Be it resolved; by the members of the Post here assembled, that we express spirited disapproval of this teacher’s disloyalty, that we are opposed to such statements in the presence of school children or taught or aired in our public schools and that the statements attributed to this teacher are such as to demand an investigation by the proper school auhorities and if sustained to justify the removal of this teacher at once and to take steps to deprive him “of again teaching in the public schools of Indiana. . “By consent of Post 84, G. A. R.” |