Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-01
The PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The Case Of PRINCIPAL IhOm psOu.

Inc 0ase OF Principal u nom psOus
Last evening the sub committee on teach
ers OF the white schools OF Washing ton and
Georeetown-Messrs. Randolph, Dyer, Ho-
vey, Lloyd, and Mofat-neid a meeting At
he hes the case OF Mr. John E. Thompson.
principal OF the 4th district, whom IL Is pro-
posed 10 drop from the list of teachers.
Lellsn, Holmead, Evans, Wright, Stephen
son, ard Cook, Messrs- Jos. l. Pearson, A.
stephepson, George White, George Cowie,
The committee decided to admit reporters.
Mr.. Hovey voting In the negative.
Trustee Channplin was then called upon to
suostantiate his charges against Mr.. Thomp-
son. He said that when before the commit
tee before he was ASKED why he objected to
the reappointment OF Mr.. Thompson, and In
them the following: His want of attention
To duty, want OF care of the property and
general fncompetency as principal. These
statements were fatty contradicted by his
colleague Mr.. Lloyd. He did not propose 20
face the public as one making charges. He
had none TO make, and was present not as
public prosecutor but In tle interests OF the
schools to give his reasons why he opposed
Mr.. Thompsons reappointment, and there
were others present who would make state
ments TO support him. He asked that Mr..
Mr.. r. A. Boswell was then called to the
stsDd, and Mr.. Hovey, VINO actSi through
in behalf OF Mr.. Chapplin, commenced
questioning the wit1e: 8. Mr.. Boswell said
ne had seen the boys have stone battles on
gu street, near the Jefferson building. He
had signed the petition in oppo sition to Mr..
Thompson's appointment, not hat he had
objected TO Mr.. T. personally, for he old not
SelIeEe that mere was tescner superor to
think the school as good how as il had been.
In cross examination, Mr.. Boswell said that
lie old not know that he had been In the
school for two years, and he formed mis-
opinion as to the school Ietrogradino from
the ports OF the examinations published
ID the papers. Witness DID rot report the
stone battles were on 9th street, and could
not be seen from the east end of the build
ing, where Mr.. Thompson's school room was
situated.
II was here suggested that the members of
the committee on property be examined as
10 the care OF the property.
Mr.. DIETRICH testified that he had exam
iDed, few days since, the furniture in
the Jefferson Building. Witness found 1t In
bad condition, especially on the boys side,
where the desks hsi been cut and scratches;
estimated the damage at 81 least one thou
sard dollars. The water closets were in bad
The report made last December on the
wafer cloGets of the Greenleaf Building was
read, and MI. Lloyd said the report was
made on resolution offered by him at the
request of Mr.. Thompson.
By Ger. Dyer:-The furniture In the Jeffer-
son Building was damaged more than the
usual wear and tear.
By Mr.. hompson:-According TO my In.
formation the furniture had been used from
1872. Saw no tobacco spittle on the door.
Mr.. Thompson asked witness if he saw the
name of W. AtLee cut IN desk OF one of
the school rooms? Witness did not OBJ
serve IL.
Mr.. j. H. Brooks. of the committee on
property, testified that, with Messrs. PACK
ard and Champlin, he made an examination
of the property In the Jefferson building
in December last: The lower part of the
building was not In q cleanly condition.
By Mr.. Thompson :-Wi.ness was not told
that a debating society used the school room.
The blackboards appeared to be punctured,
which may have been done by the corners Of
the erasers.
MI. Charles h. Parker, the janitor of the
building, testified To calling the attention of
cid not know that Mr.. Thompson had ever
suspended any OF the boys witness reported.
The floor of the grammar school was not
covered with tobacco spittle. The fufniture
IN The building was new when the building
was first occupied, except in two rooms, (Mr.
Thompsons and another.) The blackboards
than those in other rooms. Mr.. Thompsols
room bad been scrubbed three or four times
during the year.
On Cross examination witness said the
black boards are worse to-day than they
were two years ago. The punctu in them
may have been made with the erasers rub
bers.) The room OF the male grammar school
pays for sweeping. When witness was told
that Superb tendent Wilson required that
The rooms be more frequently scrubbed, ne
ray would not justify il; and ne did not
scrub them. Witness recollects that Mr.
Thompson went through the boys portion
OF the building and confiscated the pea
shooters brought into the building. When
witness made complaints the boys were sent
home and parents notified. Sometimes 10 or
| u such cases were reported in one day.
he did not know Of case In which some
| thing was not done. 1t was a daily occur
renee for parents to call at the close OF school
hours TO see about some breach of discipline
| by their children, after being notified by Mr.
| Thompson. Witness last winter examined
| the water closets in the third district, and
| then said that they were In worse condition
| than those In the fourth district. These were
| in The Mccormick and CIaneh buildings.
The addition to the water closets was put up
in 1874 because the patent hoppers proved q
| failure, and Mr.. Thompson had before then
constantly urged the addition. Within two
years they have been broken, as well as the
TO the closets; don't know what for; it may
have been 10 inspect them, or for other pur-
poses. No assessments were made on the
parents OF boys To pay for damages TO the
closets, that he knew Of
Witness contiDued.-It was customary to
assexs for cost OF window lights broken and
he bad received such money, and had the
lights put in. When the debating society
met In the school room they did not leave
beTs one case where boy was dismissed.
At this point the committee adjourned un.
Ill tonight.
Bull DING PERMITS issued by Inspector
Plowman: Geo. A. Cross, brick dwelling,
south side Georgia avenue, between 18th and
18th streets southeast; 81 ,0O0 f. ID. Farm