The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-09-23

VI lEurtGn Vi Wiz = utht ttCu0Dlh
special meeting last evening, pursuant to
call Of the Mayor. In the absence Of the
president the meeting was called TO order by
the secretary, and Mr.. Woodward chosen
chairman pro ten. .....
Mr.. Mcclellan asked that tho call for the
meeting be read, but no copy Of the call
seemed to be obtainable.
Mr.. Mcclellan claimed II was due to the
members that the object Of the meeting
should be stated in the call, and expressed
the hope that such would be the case In
future.
Mr.. yashon, from the committee to whom
was referred that portion OF the superlntend-
ents message In relation 10 the Introduction
Of tho German into the public schools, sub
mitted report, In which the committee
stated that they found the number OF pupils
dcsirous Of studying German In excess Of the
number required as condition precedent
Then, here, the committee became divided,
part holding that the Board were empow-
cred to act at once in the matter and q part
holding that under the rules the Board could
only make the change by an amendment of
the 2lst rule; they therefore had decided to
refer the whole subject back to the Board.
Some considerable debate ensucd upon the
subject, which was participated In by Mcssrs.
Mcclellan, Vashon, Dulln, Moore, Richards
and Brown.
To test the sense Of the board, Mr.. vashon
introduced the following resolution:
Resoiped, That the resolution OF the city
Councils In reference to the Introduction Of
the study of German into the grammar schools
| 10 mandatory In its character, and that IL Is
the duty Of this board to act in accordance with
| II forthwith, q requisite number Of pupils 10
the different schools having expressed a desire
| TO pursue that study.
Mr.. Mcclellan claimed the act Of the Coun-
Gil was not mandatory. If the Councils had
Intended to order II they would have used
the words Constructed" "orderod," "direct-
cd" or "shall," instead Of "authorized."
lie was prepared to vote for the introduction
| of the German, but could only do so prop
erly and in order.
Mr.. Richards said he was In the Board Of
Aldermen when the bill was there, and took
part In the discussion. lie thought the im.
preston among the Aldermen was that the
Board would do II at once. lie proceeded
to give the history Of other schools,
where the German had been introduced in
other cities, and spoke In general terms of
the propriety Of It's introduction here.
Mr.. Clarke claimed that the law was not
mandatory. To suppose 1t mandatory was
to suppose tho Councils had directed the
Board to carry out what they themselves had
full power to do.
Mr.. Brown asked permission to read the
following resolutions, which he would offer
at the proper time:
Rcsolp.d, That the Board Of School Trustees
| regard the Introduction OF teaching tho Ger.
man language into the public schools at the
present time OF doubtful utility but with a
view OF giving the matter tair trial this
Board authorizes the employ ment Of one OF
more teachers on such terms and under such
regulations as shall not conflict with the pres.
ent course OF Instructions In the several Gram.
| several sub-boards,
Resolved, That the committee on the intro
duetion Of the Germ an language, in connection
| with the superintendent, be authorized to
carry into effect the foregoing resolution.
Mr.. Brown doubted the utility of the in
PRODUCTION OF the German In our schools.
lie would be glad to sec high school or an
extended grade OF tho grammar schools
where the German aud other higher branches
could be taught. II pupils were taken out
OF the grammar schools to study German
they would run behind in their English
studies, and work al injury to the whole
class. He had been Informed by leading
Alderman that he voted for the bill while
opposed to the introduction Of the study In
the schools on political grounds. Mr.. b.
thought the law was not mandatory.
Mr.. Richards would not be in favor Of ill.,
with English studies. lie believed two les
sons u week would quicken the scholars in
English studies. His experience as teacher
had shown that his pupils In French were
the best English scholars.
During his argument Mr.. Richards made
the surprising statement that onc-thrd Of
our citizens were Germans, and also that
one-third Of the taxpayers were German.
Mr.. Brown claimed that 1t was not Just to
the English teachers 10 pay the German
teachers 81 200 for four hours labor, while
the others were tolling with larger schools
six hours for much less money. lie did not
recognize the demands Of the Germans to
Gcrmanizc Americans. lie favored Amcri-
canizing the Germans. Still, II the German
could be introduced without injury to the
English studies, he was In favor of 1t.
Mr.. Dulin was prepared to vote for the
German school, but he questioned whether
this meeting was proper one at which to
do 1t.
Mr.. Mcclellan thought II would be vol 10
straightcn up things little. They had two
resolutions before them, and had been dis.
cusslng either Of them, both Of them, and
neither Of them. lie suggested that the
resolution of Mr.. Vashon be taken up and
disposed of.
.. Mr.. VashOn withdrew his resolution.
The resolutions of Mr.. Brown then came
, up.
Mr.. Clarke asked division.
The resolutions were adopted.
Mr.. Lawrence, Of the committee Oh the
Introduction Of the German language, being
absent, on motion, the Chair appointed Mr.
Champion In the place of Mr.. Lawrence,
The committee now stands, Messrs. Nashon
Mcclellan, Moore and Champion.
Mr.. Brown, from the committee on &C
counts, presented sundry bills which had
been approved by the committee, which werI
ordered paid.
Mr.. Brown announced that the dcdlcator,
services Of the new Franklin school building
would take place on Saturday, the ID of DC
tober, at O'Clock, p. IN.
Mr.. Dulin presented the applications o
several females for tcachcrshlps. Referee
to the committee on examination OF teachers
Mr. Vashon presented nine application
for positions as teachers of German. Re
ferrcd TO the special committee on German
Mr.. Mcclellan offered the following; which
was unanimously ADOPTED;
llResoirfd, That his honor the Mayor be nc
Qucstcd to ask the City Council to take suci
procure an amount of money sufficient to pa
the teachers and lsborers the salaries iu
them up to Sept. 3d.
The Board then, at 10 o'clock, adjourned
SUDDEN DEATu.-Samuel Walker, en-
ploycd in the construction department OF til
navy-yard, entered the yard shortly befOr
, two O'Clock yesterday afternoon, and bcln,
under the influence Of liquor, he laid dow
and went to sleep. Mr.. VIM. Emerson, al
employee OF the yard, was instructed to pre-
cure wagon and take Walker TO his home
A covered wagon was obtained, and Wake
placed therein, and while driving toward hi
| home he died Mr. Emerson then drove t
D police headquarters, and Informed Licuten
4 ant Noonan of the circumstances, who sen
for the coroner, and instructed Mr.. EmeI
son to convey the body to the Eighth prccinC
O.. station, convenient TO the navy-yard, whcr
r he would direct the coroner to hold an In