New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-06-28
BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The Special Committee Of the Board of Education
appointed TO investigate the circumsances attending
the dismissal Of nine teachers from the pablo schools Of
the Fourth Ward, met yesterday afternoon, MIR.
TUCKER presiding.
Mr. EUGENE SHINE said that in 1858 Willam-street
sci DOL numbered nearly 500 scholars. In 1859, the
number had decreased TO about 49, The teachers had
become careless ard instteDtive preferring to idle
away their time to attending to their pupils. Neglect
of duty was the cause Of their dismissal.
CHAIRMAH-Notbing else
Mr. SHIEE-I will go on with my story. The
State law makes il a misdemeanor for any person
in the employment If The Board of Education TO send
in false reports said oense to be punished by fine of
$25. The Principal of tie William rect school Mr.
Smith, ad frequently seat in false reports and his
dismissal was the result. Mr. Smith had also
elected to KEEP proper record OF the Attendance of
pupils, also they were allowed to run the street at
their owp option.
Mr. EAGER said that the books showed but $50
scholar in ate ndsDce at the William street school
during the year 1858.
Mr. SHISE said that many parents had removed their
children from the school, and sent them over 70 the
Fifth Ward. II only when the local Board found
it absolutely necessary, that they determined to remove
the teachers.
The CHAIRMAE-You say that Mr.. Smith violated
his oath by making false entries7
Mr.. SBIsE-Yes.
The CHAIRMAN-Can you state any other grounds
Mr. SHINE wished it distinctly understood that the
teachers were not dismissed on religious grounds. lie
did not think that Mrs Honeywell had made false en-
tries but considered her inefficient. He had examined
her classes in arithmetic aid found them exceedingly
backward.
No formal complaint WIS made by the Local
Board to Mr. SD iih regarding his false entries. We
did not consider Miss Mege an incompetent teacher,
but her place was wanted for pupils who had been
attending school with the expectation of becom-
ing teacher She dismissed for the reason that
she wss efficient teacher, and would therefore have
no trouble in finding another situation. Other efficient
teachers were di-missed in tie way. Since the
dismissal of Mr.. Smith the daiy tend ince of pupils
fas een increasing. One of the Teachers Mr. Walsh,
was in the hab of goI off at all hours and notice
of his absence was made in Mr.. Smiths books. Mr.:
Shine then proceeded compare the teachers appointed
with those dismissed the latter suffering by the CON-
Iarifon.
Mr. RYAN, of TIE Local Board, was next Intercepted.
He smI y reiterated rbe statement which he made in
published letter. TO the effect that the dis nssas were
all made sectarisn grounds. He denied the charge
of jneficieDcy on & part Of the dismissed teachers.
Mr. SMITH, the removed Principal was then called,
and stated that he had received any ntimaon of
the cspessure of Local Board previous 10 bus dis
isssl As for the charges of sins Of omission and
con mission in the entries his books he referred the
Con init ee TO Them
Mr. Walsh and the other teachers were then exam
infd, ard fully corroboraied the statement of Mr..
Smith. Not one hac ever been taken to task by the
Local Board for neffnency ard none expected to be
removed till the deed was done. They knew that 30
far as rel orirg them on lie book for heiDg absent
late, Mr.. Smith had done bis duty. None Of them
knew of any reason for their dlsmsssl bnt most OF
them 'fougit il was because Of heir religious belief,
they bfirg all Protestsns. They denied Mr.. Shines
allegations regarding the decrease III the number of pu
pills. and, in tact gave fiat contradiction to all his
statements
The Committee thfn adjourned to Friday afternoon,
st 5 o'cl, tx +. N.