New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-02-06

The resolution discharging the commit
tee was then unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Kelly, from the committee to whom
was referred the proposition for the consoli.
dation of two girls high schools, spoke of
the possibility In consequence of the small
appropriations liz the budget for the year,
that the high schools might be discontinued,
and asked that the committee be discharged.
They were discharged.
Mr.. William o. Rogers, superintendent of
the public schools, reported the whole num-
ber enrolled to be upward of $4,000. The
average attendance had been diminished
on account of the bad weather. He men
toned the success of the normal school
system, and alluded to the large number of
scholars in some of the white schools in
proportion to the number Of teachers en-
| ployed. The report was quite brief, and
was received by unanimous vote.
The secretary of the board, Mr.. Desdunes,
submitted the following report:
That he has paid over to John A. Wat.
kins, chairman of the committee on library,
the sum of one hundred dollars that amount
having been received from parents (non-
residents) for admission of their children
into the public schools.
The report was received and ordered to
be spread on the minutes.
A communication was received from two
hundred parents and guardians of pupils in
the st. Ann street school, in reference %
the organization and teachers of that school,
about which an ''lrrepressihle confictn has
been existing for some time, and representa-
| tions have gone abroad that the school is
| badly disorganized.
MIR. Cronan moved that the report of the
committee, previously adopted, against the
| petition of Miss Metexa be reconsdered, to
give an opportunity for Mr.. Collcns and
other members to "air their oratory' each
| for the space of five minutes.
Judge Collens said the whole matter is
| that principal of one school is at logger
heads with one of her assistants. An attempt
has been made by taking aprincipal and Que
| teacher, and transferring them from another
| school to remedy this. The action of the
committee had been made without consult,
alton with the speaker, member Of the
| committee.
MIR. Cronan repelled the imputation of
| Judge Collens, and made the declaration
that it was to raise the standard of the Bar
racks street school to the point attained by
the st. Ann street school that the change Of
principals was made, and not from prejudice
against Miss Queyren.
Mr. O'Neie said the reputation of the prin-
| cipal of the st. Ann street school had suffer-
| ed in consequence of her transfer to the Bar
racks street school, but it now appears that
her transfer was to raise the standard of the
| school to which she was transferred.
Mr.. Baker thought there should be q close
| Of the discussion in reference to the matter,
or that the board should yield their places
to others who could settle the question.
| The board refused to reconsider its action
on the report of the committee, and the re-
port was then approved.
Miss Queyron, late principal of the st.
| Ann school, petitioned the board for an in
vestigation into the causes of her transfer
/ from that to the Barracks school, and asked
/ to be reinstated into the st. Ann school.
Her reputation, she said, was all she de-
/ pended on, and that was suffering by the
action of the supervision committee.
motion was made to refer the petition to
| the committee on teachers.
Judge Collens opposed this reference, and
proceeded to give his reasons therefor.
Mr.. Cronan rose to a question of order.
motion to refer is not debatable, he said.
The gentleman is making longer speech
than on the original question.
Judge Collens-Why didn't you consult
me on that committee?
Mr.. Cronan-It is my business.
The president decided that the motion to
refer was debatable, and Judge Collens
proceeded TO show that the difficulty in the
st. Ann school was attributable to the
"tongue of women
Mr.. Shields moved to refer the whole sub.
ject to committee of one from each muni.
cipal district
Mr.. Sambola opposed this. The second
district supervision committee is composed
of gentlemen; they were influenced only
by facts and justice; the committee con
templated might be influenced by the talk
of women. The matter has been discussed
during the past three months. He was
tired Of it. The transfer of principals has
been beneficial to the schools.
Mr.. Cronan-My friend Judge Collens
has said two or three times he was not pres
ent at any meeting of the committee. Since
the committee has decided on it ladies have
electiOneered in the the matter, and thai
accounts for his earnestness now.
Judge Collens-The gentleman must moi
say that-it is personal, and l don't allow
personalities in reference to myself
The motion TO refer to committee of onC
from each municipal district was with
drawn.
Mr.. Ellison called for the previous ques
ton on the motion to refer to the commit
tee on teachers, and the whole subject wa!
so referred.
In the unfinished business Mr.. Baker il
accordance with notice at the previous
meeting, moved q reconsideration of tht
resolution and amendments abolishiDl
French studies in the first and fourth dis
trict public schools.
Sir. Shields moved to lay the motion
TO reconsider on the table. Lost to u.
Judge Collens alluded to teachers EN-
ployed at $25 a month in the public schools
who had a few private scholars perhaps
next door, by which they obtained $50 o.
$40 month. Practically the French il
taught in only one or two schools in tbs
second district, which he referred to.
A member-It is also taught by Madame
Judge Collens-No, abe is too old to teacf
anything. (Laughter.l As the French
purports to be taught now, it is all system
Of pay and no work.
Mr.. Cronan denied that there were anJ
teachers in the second district receiving pay
he himself was not judge of the French
language, and made no pretensions to being
Frenchman. U.aughter.)
Judge Collens repeated that there were
teachers in the second district instructing
private pupils in French almost next door
to the public schools where they are em
ployed.
The resolutions to abolish French studies
in the first and fourth districts were then
reatirmed.
Mr.. Phillips offered a resolution in refer
ence to the insuiiiciency of the school ap-
| preparations for the present year by the city
council, and providing for the appointment
Of a committee consisting of the president
| of the board Of school directors, the chair
man Of the finance committee, and the SUI
/ perintendent Of the public schools, to wait
upon the mayor and represent to him the
necessity of additional appropriation in
order to educate all who now participate in
the benefit Of public schools This was
amended, on motion Of Mr.. Macon, by q
l provision that If the committee met with no
satisfaction from the mayor they should
wait upon General Hancock. Its adoption
i was unanimous.
Mr. Robert Hare sent in his resignation
as member Of the board of school direct
ors, which was accepted, and the appoint
ment Of his successor was referred 70 the