Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-09


is Lot the book for the schools.
On motion OF DR.. Reyburn. the vote was
divided, and the 1rst one-that OF CorneIl's
was adopted: Yeas-Messrs Brown. Brooke,
Brooks, Curtis. DERRICK, Dyer, Ferguson,
French, Hovey, johnson, Mitchell. Mofrat
LLOYD, Randolph, Ryder and Smiths.
The second resolution was adopted-yeas
iS; nays-Messrs. Brooks, Champlin and
Mr. Dettrick moved that the board proceed
TO ballot on the SwintOn and Eclectic series
of Biographies; which was agreed to, and the
ballot resulted: Swinton II, Eclectic 5,
Mr.. Dettrick called up the resolution re-
ported by the committee at the previous
meeting, that Swinton's Biographies be, and
the same are hereby, adopted Tor use In the
public schools OF the District of Columbia
from and after the commencement of the
next ensuing school year, In place of the
books in the same study now in use: Pro.
rided, That no additional expense shall be
made necessary to parents or pupils in con-
sequence of this change in text books, and
that pupils having the proper text books
heretofore in use shall not be required TO
purchase others.
Mr.. Rey burn moved that the subject be
postponed for two weeks.
Mr.. Dettrick argued that there would not
then be quorum present.
The resolution was adopted.
The reI ort of the committee on teachers,
recommending the appointment of Mr.. Hen
in place OF r N. Mckee, was taken up.
Mr.. Rey burn objected to the change, and
after calling attention to the TACT that the
superintendent had never made any report
against Mr.. Mckee, he moved to insert the
name of Mr. Mckee IN place OF Mr.. Copp.
Mr.. Dyer said the action Of the commit tee
was wholly due TO the fact that they mad
found one who, in their opinion, would ill
the place better. The testimony showed that
he was not fitted for a principal
The report was adopted.
The report recommending the appointment
OF Miss Day as teacher Of the female era m
mar school, in place of Mrs. hewitt, WAS
called up, and
Mr.. Reyburn remarked that the only oo-
lection was that Mrs. hewitt was near sight
ed. He asked If IL was an act OF justice -
discharge q teacher for this cause, probably
OccasioGed by her labOrs in the schOolroOm,
and remarked that IL every one who has
defect OF vision is to be turned out, there are
others who are fl subjects; that many teach
erS, and some of the girls in the normal
school have defective visiod. AS to her lack
of discipline, IL had been shown that but one
case of this kind had occurred, and he re
ferred to the testimony of ex- Trustee McLel-
Ian as to the character of the sch JOl.
Mr.. Randolph said that the committee,
unGer the testimony, could not do otherwise
than they bad. While ne had sympathy
with both Mr.. Mckee and Mrs. hewitt, his
oath required him to do his duty, and he had
acted solely on the evidence under his oath.
The motion OF Mr.. Reyburn inserting the
name of Mrs hewitt was lost-yeas, Messrs.
Brooke, Brooks, Ferguson, johnson, Ryder,
ana eyourn, 8; nays, Is. The report was
The report as to the nomination of Mrs.
hewitt Ito an intermediate school), and
Mestrs. Harrington and Payl for teacher
ships was adopted.
The report on Principal Thompson's case
was taken up and Mr.. Ryder moved the
adoption of the minority report.
Mr.. Moffat moved, as 1t was getting late,
to postpone action for one week; lost.
Mr.. Johnson seconded the motion of Mr.
Ryder, and remarked that in doing SO he was
aware that the subject had been inyesti-
gated. He referred to Mr.. Thomson as O ne
TO whom was due the credit more perhaps
than To any other man OF bringing the public
schools up 10 their present position, and
he (Nr. IT, could point with pride at many
former pupils who are now active business
men or are filing useful aud honored places
in society. As An evidence of his success
and the knOwled ge OF II among the people he
had only TO refer to the fact OF the almost
unanimous request of the citizens of the Attn
district for his reappointment. He had
watched the investigation closely, and had
failed 10 see where his efficiency had been
impeached. Turning to the report OF the
superintendent as TO visits TO schools in the
last annual report he read that OF ,SiS visits
$50 were by Mr.. Thompson. He urged that
the deTelictiOn of duty was on the part Of the
JanitOr, end as to tobacco Splttle being on the
floor he thought that II had been clearly
SHOWN That 1t was placed on the floor on
Friday night at the meeting OF the debating
society. The other charge Is as 10 his taking
drink with his lunch. He asked was
teacher TO be held to strict accountability
and EOthing TO be said as TO the trustees &C.
ton In such respect. There was more respon-
sibil1ty on the trustee. Here is a gentleman
VINO over quarter of 81 century had been
engaged in the exalted occupation OF a
teacher now 10 be sacrificed for little tobacco
spittle, and II has not been SHOWN with
sufficient clearness that he is responsible for
IL.
Mr.. Hovey said the board requires the
principals To supervise the grounds, and as
10 how he has fulfilled his duties he would
refer 10 the report of the committee On prop
erty. 1t seems TO be forgotten that, although
specific charges had not been made, COM
plants had been made against him, ami
last year, for some of his misdeeds, he came
within a single vote OF being dropped. The
committee before making their report had
visited the building and found that the prop
erty Rad not been taken care of. The water
closets, which were placed in good repair
only year or SO ago, were broken and d.
lapidated on The boys side, while the girls
apartments are in good order. The seats had
been cut with knives, and there was other
evidence OF want OF attention. The chair
man OF the committee on property estimates
that 1t will take 81 900 to place the property
In repair. He did not believe that IL could be
done for less than 81 800. He referred to the
charge made that one OF the trustees had
given away some OF the property, ana he de-
sired TO state that that property was at the
Mr. Lloyd said that Inspector Plowman
had stated that he found the property In
question at Mr.. Sam Hunts shop, and Hunt
stdttu LnAt CDdmplln QaQ given IL 10 MIN,
and that PlOwman would swear to 1t.
Mr.. Hovey remarked that 1t was at the
building.
Mr.. Hovey, with q face livid with passion,
continued at some length IN essrs. Packard
and DERRICK giving him their time) to berate
Mr.. Thompson, charging that he had not
fulfilled the requirements Of principal, that
he had marked mis- school 80 per cent. too
high, &c.
On motion Of Trustee Lloyd the cousidera-
ton of the report was pos tpOned till tonight.
Mr.. Brooks said that while the condition
OF the building may be TO some extent
chargeable on Mr.. Thompson some of the re-
sponsibility belongs to the janitor, and he
therefore offered the following, which was
adopted:
ResOlUed, That in view of the evidence
ELECTED by the committee on teachers reia-
tive 10 the condition of the Jefferson school
building and school furniture in said build
ing, and also the condition Of the out houses
and privies for the accommodation OF said
building, that the committee on property
be, and is hereby, instructed 10 thoroughly
examine into the causes for this condition
of the public property, and whether or not
the janitor OF the building has faithfully
performed his duties.
The board adjourned until this evening.
THE BOARD OF HEALTH met last eve
ming, and Mr.. MaTbury, from the sanitary
police committee, reported that the commit
tee and health officer had consultation re-
C2ruiDg the pOnnd service. and hal agreed