National Republican., 1875-06-30
LRTTKR FROM Mr.. THOMPSON.

Of the last Congress, but which were not finally
acted upon for want OF time.
Both Of these bills expressly provide that teach
ers BhaII be dismissed 'only for cause after they
shall have had fair opportunity to make a sum-
mary defense publicly before the board, as It's
been usage here from the foundation OF our school
system TO the present time. ! have no informa-
tion to what this secret attack is. On the other
hand, at the last meeting of the school board I
was denied the poor privilege Of an explanation
after staten ents widely different from the truth
(as have ample testimony to establish) had been
repeatedly made against me. The loudest objec-
tor was Trustee Hart, who, for more than three
years has, without any just cause, vindictiyely
assailsd my
CHARACTER FOR INTEGRITY,
who has made statements to my prejudice So
msnifestly false that he denies me the right of
public reIutation. The origin Of Trustee Hsrt's
hostility is found in the fact that differed from
him in regard to the adoption Of D. Appleton
Co.'s series of geogrc phies, who, he charges,
bribed me, as well as several Of his colleagues, to
support these books These sesndalous SANDERS
he published in newspapers and in pamphlet
form. In the persistent utterance of gross and
sc7ndalous nbels, such as this you will perceive
the reason why said to him after the adjourn
after due inquiry as to the truth Of his aiIega.
tions: "Hart, If you say intsrfered with that
committc on prizes, say you are Q liar." Afeer-
wards, when ne Refused to take back his shame
full falcehoods, further said to him: 81 brand
you a. a liar here before your colleagues" Such
language as this never before used to any one,
the best citizens Of Washington are ready to say
that such language from me is q depar;ure from
my usual disposition and demeanor. meant no
disrespsct to any other trustce, and especially
to the honorable Commissioners, who have b: IN
80 attentive to the NJ eds Of our teachers. The
language was uttered while Twas Lmarting under
the repeated faleheods uttered by this persistent
defamer Of my character.
am ready to meet any accusation against me,
but must repeat the rtque1t TO know what they
are and who makeJ them. As the honorable
Commissioners are well aware, our public schools
have heretofore been conducted without the in
reference Of political prties or religious sects,
but the influence Of personal whiu, prejudice or
spite in the selection OF teachers will be moro de-
structrve than either party prescription or r
iigiSus 6igStry ask for al al bearing Of this
nissioners will promptly arrest this attempt to
ruin my reputation as . teacher and 70 expel me
build up by the exertions of q life time.
''' JOIN E. THOMPSON,
Principal Male Grammar School Fourth Dis
On the above was the fnlInui.s Indnrsemant.
OFFICE OF THE CoMMIssIoNERsl
Respectfully referred TO the Board Of Trustees
Of Public Schools District Of Columbia.
By order Of Commissioners.
WIN. TINDALL, Secretary.
WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH IT?
MrChHpplin moved that the letter be received
and placed on file.
Mr.. Brown thought that was hardly proper
under the circumstance. aas.
Mr. Lloyd said he thought some action should
be taken in the matter. He charged thai il was
not the first time an attack had been made upon
Mr.. Thompson, and from the same source. If
consistent, he would suggest the appointment of
special committee to consider the matter.
Mr.. johnson said the writer Of the letter was
laboring under the supposition that he was to be
removed from the school over which he had
Q member Of the board. He moved that the COM
munication be returned 10 the Commissioners,
with reply that the board has no knoWlSdge Of
the facts asserted IN the letter.
Mr.. Brown coincided in the opinion advanced
BY Mr.. johnson, and thought 1t the proper Iurss
to pursue, as there were no charges existing
against either member of the board or the writer
Of the letter to the Commis toner's.
Mr.. Lloyd wGs willing 10 withdraw the motion,
and permit the paper to take the course pre-
Mr. Hovey thought the language Of the com.
munication was such that no person should use
It who was ut to be in q public school Still he
was willing to have q reference to o committee
and investigation. The first part of the letter
referred to matters he had spoken Of and was
placed before the Commissioners In an unfair
members of the board. Mr.. Brown said that II
Mr.. Thompson would make irecteharges against
any member Of the board he was willing 20 hear
them, but in the shape It came he thought
NO NOTICE SHOULD BE TAKEN OF IT.
Mr.. HoVsy thought differently, and said 1t came
properly to the board by reference and If charges
were not specific they were implied.
Mr.. johnson was opposed to receiving the docu.
ment in the manner in which It came, and consid.
cred that It was charge, for It was only opening
the door for the submission Of endless charges oi
q similar nature. Let Mr.. Thompson make
would be listened to and acted upon. y
Mr.. Brooks said inasmuch as the communica-
tion was addressed TO the Commissioners, chsrg
ing that one Of the members Of the board was ol
such q character as to be an unit associate, and
the only respectabilty about II was the reference
which he believed was done BY the Commissioner
IN 0af VII n II AZ Nraa hOT1.
orable, he should favor an investigation.
Mr. johnson did not think such q step adVisa-
bic, as It would establish bad precedent, one
that the board would certainly regret.
Mr.. Curtis had regretted the reception Of the
paper, and saw the Com mIssioners on the subject
was the only disposition. they could make Of it
While he, as president, was compelled to lay II
before the board, he thought the best course to
take would be TO refer the letter tothe COMMITTEES
on teachers.
Mr.. Dyer could not see the necessity for saying
anything about the paper. 1t begins by stating
that some one has
BEEN TALKING
about him, (Mr. Thompson and he would like tc
any charges have been filed against him. He did
not think the letter called for any Investigation
on the part Of the trustees and hoped It would be
Mr.. Detrick thought the best way to settle the
subject was to lay II on the table.
Mr.. Brown objected to that course, as It would
refer 1t to the Commissioners.
Mr.. Lloyd said the letter was sent to the Com
missioners as defense for the words used to Mr.
Hart, and TO meet any counter statement they
might have received. The letter was not in
tended for the board, and did not belong to them
1t should be returned to the Commissioners.
The motion Of Mr.. johnson, to return the paper
to the Commissioners, was then adopted
The following communication was received
from the District Commissioners:
Ordered, That the offices Of one superintendent
of public schools for Washington city, one super
intendent Of public schools for the county o
H. aPa one one Ior 1d sns PUP PUP
are hereby, consohdated under the title Of super
intendent OF public schools.
2. That the superintendent Of public SCHOOL,
shall receive salary at the rate Of 5000 pei
annum from and after the 1st day Of March, 1875
Anson N. Boston. Thos Martin, Cornelia E
Pickney, Sophia E. Neal, M. J. e. Thomas AM
Sarah L johnson made application for the posi-
The resignation of Miss Mary v. Robinson wa
The appointment Of teachers was then made 3
follows:
YIRsT DISTRICT.
Male Grammar school, r. NJ. Mckee; assistant
Robert H. Hardness. Female Grammar school
Mrs. Mary z. r. hewitt. Male intermediate, NC
], Alexander T Stuart; No. 2 Rachel Jane pss
| Female intermediate, No. !, Fannie E. Hoover
No. 2, Kate E. Rawlings; Ne. 9. Fannie E. JullieL
No. Jennie B HaIlaran. Secondary, No: No
| Ella s. McMshon; No. 1, Dora N. Brown; No.
| Annie N. Clarke; No. Q, Mrs. Maria T. Rodiel
| No. ], Mary McArdle; No. 8. Isabella M WIlsoI
i No. Q. Mrs. Mary !. Sampson; No. 10 Mary
Me9ill; No. II, Louisa n. Bishop; No. II, Ell
N. Williams; No. l3, d. Foley; No. y, q.
No. 2, Flora Belle Wiggln; No. 8, Alice E. Cool
gsy; No. 4, Mary Slater Shields; No. s, Susie
Mocksbee; No. Q, Elizabeth A. Ooreorsn; No
4 Ne. Q, Ehie Rodier; No. 10, Euphemia Macfal
lane; No u, Fannie o. Snyder; No. Il, Annie d
Duttoni No. Is, Louisa s. Weightman.
SECOND DISTRICT.
Male Grammar, Nathaniel p. Gare; Fsmal
GFammar, George Lane; Male Intermediate, N,
i ], Julia A. Brown No. 2, n. Adele TAFT; No
1 Mary Z. Rowe; No. 4, Kate T. Brown; fenal
1nteTmediate, No. ], Emily v. Billing; No. 2