National Republican., 1874-05-15
OUR SCHOOL TRUSTEES.
TIE QUESTION OF 4 oHANGE OF
BOOKS SETTLED.


THANKS FOR PAY TENDERED-CoRNELL'
BIOGRAPHIES RETAINED IN THE
sCHoOLs-GOoD SHOWING OF STA TIsTICS
FOR APRIL-AN INTER ESTING MEETING.
The regular meeting of the Board of School
Trustees was held Tuesday night at the franklin
building and was attended by all the members
Of the board except Messrs. Dulin, Richards
and Roesser.
In the absence of Mr.. Richards, Mr.. Wood
ward was chosen president pro tcm., and called
the meeting to order.
Mr.. Mcclellan presented the credentials of
&. B. DERRICK, appointed by the Governor, vice
W. ]. Rhees resigned, and offered q resolution
that Mr.. Detrick be appointed to fll the yacan-
cy occasioned by the resignation Of Mr.. Rhees
as member of several committees. The reso-
luton was adopted and Mr.. Detrick was SO
appointed by the chairman.
Mr.. Champlain moved that the minutes of
the preceding meeting be corrected wherein
they state that the resolution providing for the
introduction Of German into the schools was
unanimously" adopted, as such was not the
fact.
The minutes were accordingly corrected.
Superintendent Wilson reported the follow
ing applications for positions as teachers Miss
Cora Valentine, of Illinois; Miss E. ]. Elan
ders, of Iowa; j. Abert VanLsn, of Deleware;
Arthur Kilgore, of Connecticut; 8. D. McDon-
aid, of Pennsylvania; NJ. N. Horton, of Penn
sylyania; w. T. Duhmore, of Vermont; Miss
Anna NJ. Chandler, OF Michigan; Robert
Wheeler, of District Of Columbia; Mrs. Marie
Preuss, of District Of Columbia.
Mr.. Wilson submitted the report of the
schools for the month of April, which was or
dered TO be filed.
Mr.. Hart, from the committee on normal
schools, offered report stating that an exam
nation for applicants for admission would take
place Saturday, June 9, at 9 O. m, in the
Franklin building; for teachers certificates, for
primary, secondary and intermediate grades,
on Saturday, June 13, at same place. Fourth
quarterly examination Thursday, June IL, at
10 O'Clock, and the commencement in Lincoln
hall on Friday, June 10, at o'clock
Mr.. Hart reported sundry accounts against
the board, handed in by the sub-boards.
Mr.. Mcclellan, from the committee on mu-
sic, reported that the committee had arranged
for two concerts, to be given in Ford's opera
house on Wednesday and Friday, June Sd and
5th.
THE TEXTBOOK QUESTION.
Mr.. Harris, from the committee on text
books, offered 4 report stating that, in the ab-
sence of Mr.. Rheese, q member of the commit
tee, who has resigned his position as trustee,
therefore the committee deem it inadyisable TO
submit report until a new appointment is
made and each school district is represented on
the committee.
Mr.. Champlin, from the committee on text
books, offered a minority report, stating that
the preamble of the resolution offered at
former meeting reciting that much dis
satisfaction exists in relation to the
Biographies now in use in the public schools
is inaccurate. The dissatisfaction, Ef any
exists, Is only In the minds of small number
Of the members of this board. The resolution
that the whole matter be referred back to the
committee with instructions to report a series
to take its place Is mandatory in It's character,
and assumes that Cornell's series has been dis
carded from the schools. The undersigned is
of opinion that had all the members understood
the meaning and scope Of said preamble aud
resolutions they would have been tabled by a
decisive vote. As the record now stands, It
appears to the public that the board by a vote
of a majority Of the members present aban-
doned the book now In use. Such Is not the
fact, for the law prescribes that no book shall
be changed unless by a vote of two thirds Of all
the members of the board. o..
The undersigned would further state that
agents of other Biographies, he has reason to
believe, have formed q combination for the
purpose OF procuring the removal of the series
now In use, with the expectation that portions
of the series represented by them will take the
place of the ousted books-all of which must
insure solely to the benefit of the publishers,
and is without any corresponding advantage to
the pupils of our public schools. The fol-
lowing resolution is recommended for adoption:
Resolved, That the committee be discharged
from the further consideration of the subject.
Mr.. Wolf raised the point of order, that the
committee on text books having declined to re-
port tonight, as requested by tho board, for
good reason, and asked further time, therefore
this minority report is not before the meeting.
MI: Wilson poysd that the minority report
be substituted and adopted.
The chairman decided that the board was
competent to take up the item of business on
the minority report If it deemed proper, and
the matter was discussed with much anima-
ton by several trustees. The resolution Of
Mr.. Champlin was then adopted, by vote of
II to5.
On motion of Mr.. Mcclellan, the majority
report as amended, (with the addition of Mr..
Champlin's resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Harris moved that the committee on
text books be instructed to take the matter
into consideration whether any change in the
books is necessary.
Mr.. Hovey said the committee was compe-
tent to report on any desired changes at any
time, but IL would be inconsistent for the board
to instruct the committee after the last vote,
and the motion was withdrawn by Mr.. Harris.
Mr.. Hart offered the following:
Whereas, Congress has, by its action IN max
ing an appropriation TO pay six months salary
to the teachers of the public schools of the
District of Columbia, greatly relieved the
wants of these faithful public servants; and,
whereas, the president of the United States
so promptly approved the act, and the honor
able Secretary of the Treasury and the officers
under him facilitated the turning over of
the money without any delay; and,
whereas, the Hon. John Eaton, jr., United
States Commissioner of Education, who was
charged in the act with the supervision of the
disbursement of the aforesaid appropriation,
has so promptly and satisfactorily discharged
the duties thus imposed upon him; therefore,
Resolved, That a vote of thanks be rendered
to each of the gentlemen named.
Adopted. " .
On motion of Mr.. Attlee the board ad-
journed.
cTnNTNn WITH A rpOCC