Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-01

captain barbour lhoNcu W "oSeP' "N
adopt the report.
Mr. Pante, from the Eighth Ward
made an eloquent address--at least
forcible one-opposing the report. lie
said he was in favor Of continuing the
Office for this year, according to what he
understood the contract to be-, After
that he would be willing to abolish II.
He went into severe personalities which
our reporter failed to exactly interpret
and will pass over.
Mr.. Feely, from the Seventh Ward,
spoke at some length in favor of'retain-
ing the Office and carrying out the con-
tract alluded to. He was opposed to DIS
charging a man without trial. he was
governed by his conscience, and thought
every member of the Board should OBJ
serve the same rule. He made quite a
rambling speech, not altogether to the
point Let not this stigma come on
Memphis. He was opposed to the
stigma.
CAPTAIN Barbour said the new mem
bers of the Board desired to have this
question brought to the test. For three
months it has been nothing but Superln-
tendent or no Superintendent. live are
bound by contract to keep this gentle
man to the end of the year, say keep
him; but let us settle the question, II 1t
takes until midnight. ! am a man OF
business, and cannot spend four or five
hours every time we meet in discussing
this question.
Mr.. Pante again spoke.
Mr.. Matthias rose to point of ORDER
holding that under the rules of the Board
the report could not be received
The Chair held that the point of order
was not well taken.
Mr.. Pante appealed from the decision
of the Chair.
The Chair stated the points at issue.
Mr.. Pante spoke piece.
The Chair decided him out of order, as
usual.
Mr.. Pante sat down, still speaking.
The ayes and nays were called, and
the ayes carried by 40 to 6, sustaining
the Chair.
The original question then came up.
Mr.. Holbrook moved to amend by de-
claring the Office of Superintendent va
cant. Lost
Then came the test, apparently.
as the Board ready for the question:
saws the Chair Silence succeeded a few
seconds, and then Mr. Matthias arose
and made an address in opposition to
the report of the committee. He held
that it would be doing an act of injustice
TO worthy officer, whose acts would
bear the strictest investigation. The
only valid reason offered was on the
score of economy. The colored school
teachers have more work and less pay
than the teachers of white schools The
position of Assistant Superintendent Is
arduous and responsible, and he often
does the work that Principals do in the
white schools; so that economy alone is
A weak argument. He then referred, al
some length, to the history of the pre-
vious Board, and the misunderstood
ing between the Superintendent anc
the Assistant, He alleged that tins
whole trouble grew out of that affair
and that the Superintendents recon-
mendation to abolish the office of AS
sistant Superintendent came from per
. .sonal dislike. Heappealed to the Boarc
to do Justice, and not to let prejudice
hcavern them in their official capacity
In CONCLUSION, he moved the indefinlt'
postponement of the whole question
Some one called for the previous ques
ton. The Board, by vote Of 10 to
refused to sustain the call.
The question of indefinite postpone
ment then came pB:
The previous question was called 10
again.
A motion to adjourn was lost. Sue
, parliamentary Nsparring we have neYe
, seen as ensged Every possible exp'
dent was resorted to to avoid a ties
question. Those opposed to the test III
derstood their tactics, and played theT
! we'll
DR.. Edmonds obtained the tioor abop
this stage, and stated that he was o ne
member of the Board and wanted 10 d
what was for the best interest of tn
schools. His acquaintance with Colon'
Leathe and Mr.. Barnum was quite recer
ana krief, and he had no personal feelin
whatever. A disagreement had take
place which it was impossible 70 ree9l
cile and as this difficulty stood in tn
! way d 10 gsefplness of the Board
thought the difficulty should be FeuaoEe'
and the best means, he thought, would !
TO abolish the office Of Assistant Supe
4 intendent
finally, the decisive vote was take
and the irepori Jas sdopted by y ayes
> 6 nays. The Office wds abolished, q
Mr. Barnum no longer an Assistant >
perintendent, shortly afterward wake
= out Of the Hall That agony was owe
J A special Gommiitee, n ylieh "
- ,-.r IL. -, Cha;rmau suhu.i