Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-23
The Public school Trustees.
Meeting Last Night.
AyswKR TO THE SOUTH WARRINGTON

COMMITTEE.
An adjourned meeting OF the Board of
School Trustees was held at the Franklin
School Building last evening; present
Metsrs. Curtis presiding, Brooks (secre.
taryl, Champlin, DERRICK, Dyer. French,
Hovey, johnson, Mitchell, Mofiat, Ran,
dolph, Ryder and Reyburn.
INFRINGEMENT.
"A comm uniration was received from the
District Commissioners, stating "that after
careful consideration and estimates OF the
probable revenues and necessary expendi-
lures OF the District government during the
think 1t prudent at present to contemplate
reduction of, say. Two months In the usual
expenditures for the public schools for the
arrangements involving the payment Of
money accordingly. The estimated amount
appropriated for the public schools for the
current fiscal year is $4,000: The y amount
which there was expended for erection Of
buildings Sal 900, leaving for ordinary ex-
peDdit1rss s Al, 40 =. 1 the Gommissioners
question of conducting the public schools
upon the reduced basis OF expeuditui as,
$4,000, and report to them your conclusions
rs To- the most judfciOus plan"
Mr.. Brooks suggested that the matter bs
referred TO the committee on supplies end
accounts.
Mr.. Derrick suggested immediate consid.
Grafton.
Mr.. Curtis remarked that, with Mr.. Ran
dolpb, he had had an interview with the
Commissioners on the subject, and, while
they desired early action, they wished that
the subject be well considered.
Mr.. Hovey moved that the con- muuic alton
pre- sident as chairman, with power to act
adopted, and Messrs. Hovey, Randolph,
Champlin and Bfooks were appointed.
THE FOURTH DISTRICT VACANCY.
Mr.. Randolph moved that when the board
adjourn II be for one week, as the committee
on teachers are not ready TO report; agreed to-
The NEW SCHOOL BUILDING.
Mr.. MOffat offered q resolution that the
sub board OF the seventh school district and
the superintendent be appointed a commit
tee 10 arrange for and take charge OF the
South Washingto and also TO fl the time
for the same; adopted.
Mr.. Ryder presented q petition referring to
the services OF the late Enoch Ambush as q
leading educator of his race during the dark
days OF slavery; to the difficulties he en-
countered, having during the Snow riot
been compelled TO close his school for three
weeks and TO fly for his life; and suggesting
that the new school building in South Wash
ington be designated by his name. The pc
tition Is signed by about forty citizens, and
II was referred to the sub board OF the sew
enth district
Mr. DetTick nominated VIM. B. SHED as
janitor of the Abbott building; confirmed.
Mr.. johnson presented the application OF
Mrs. Evangeline Tidball for position as
teacher In the colored schools; referred to
Superintendent Cook.
RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Brooks, from the select committee on
the communication OF the District Commits
sioners enclosing the South Washington
resolutions In reference 70 the action of the
board in removing Mr.. Thompson as pr1nci-
pal of the fourth district, submitted the re-
port, which recites the duty OF the commit
tee on teachers as prescribed by the rules.
and quotes from the proceedings of the be ard
the edoption OF a resolution, offered by Mr..
HOvey, June Goth, "that the nominations be
referred to the respective committees on
teachers, who are hereby directed to report
at an adjourned meeting OF this board to be
held on Friday evening next, as to the ad-
visibility of confiI ming said nominations"
and the acton OF the committee In report
nc njuation was concurred in by both mem
bers OF the sub board, which nominations
we've confirmed. The minority report of Mr..
Lloyd. recommending the appointment of
Mr.. Thompson, is quoted, as also the reports
OF the committee on teachers on the case OF
Mr.. Thompson made August 6th, and the
proceedings thereon. The committee sub
nit the testimony, exhibits and reports of
the majority and minority of the committee
on teachers Gas the most appropriate answer
to the various charges against tue board or
Individual members OF the Board of Trus-
tees, made In the resolutions of the public
meeting referred to in the letter OF the hon.
orable Commissioners"
A NOTE BY MR.. BROOKS.
Mr.. BROOKS Rppends a note to his report
as follows: "l concur with my associates 4
their conclusions, and desire TO add, In addl-
ton, that found no IA ct in the recorded ac-
tion OF the Board OF Trustees or elsewhere
which, In my Judgment, at all justifies the
charge OF conspiracy and combination to
effect the removal OF Mr.. Thompson, as set
orth in the first of the resolutions trar smtt-
ted to the board by the Commissioners. On
the contrary, found that greater delibera-
ton and publicity was given to the case Of
Mr.. Thompson than i usual IN such n at ,ers
nor was decision reached or vote taken until
after full discussion and consideration OF
AL the facts by the whole board. In re-
spouse 10 the sixth and seventh resolutions,
transmitted by the Commissioners, further
ind, from a careful reading OF the testimony,
that during the investigation OF this case by
order OF the board by the committee on
teachers OF the white schools no n embe OF
said committee exceeded his legal or moral
right In propOunding questions TO witnesses
or otherwise in conducting the investigation.
hold 1t TO be the right as well as the duty
OF member TO cross examine witnesses ia
cases OF investigation when the object is to
get at the facts and establish the truth.
Nothing more tnan this appears TO have been
done In this case by any member OF the COM
mittee on teachers"
MR.. RANDoLPH's VIEWS.
Mr.. Randolph remarked that he did not
take the communication of the Commission
ers as an order In any sense on the board to
produce Its record In this case before them
for the purpose Of having the same reviewed,
and either affirmed or set aside. Thaea is
nothing In the letter OF the Com missi0hers
that admits OF any such construction, and
the Language they are reported to have US ID
to the committee OF complainants would
seem to leave no doubt as TO their intention
not TO interfere with the lawful administra-
ton OF the public schools by the board of
trustees. He used the expression "Iawful
adytsedly, and by II meant
that by existing laws the trustees are ill.,
vested with certain powers, and In the exer-
else OF these their action is final; that when,
as in the case In hand, the Ia provides that
the trustees shall "appoint all teachers
authorized by law, and change them at
pleasure" II invests the power Of appoint
ment and removal In this board exclusively
and provides for no appeal 70 any other au
thorfty from It's decisions. There is no pfece-
dent OF such appeal ever having been taken
either TO mayor, governor or Commissioners.
The attempt to have Congress and the exec
utive OF this District To interfere TO suspend
the lawful action OF the trustees Ia the
matter OF the appointment OF teachers is a
proceeding uDheard OF before.
Failing In this modest attempt, these COM
plainants do not hesitate, at the sacrifice of
consistency, TO invoke against us the use OF
the very prerogative for the exercise Of which
% us they complaiH so Justify. Out OF ever
trree hundred teachers we have made some
six or seven changes, and now these disaf-
fected parties demand OF the Commissioners
in order 10 effect the reinstatement OF one OF
these rejected teachers, a reconstruction OF
the whole board II needs beat least they
say That one or two trustees Objectionable
10 them must be bounced" Gan eye for an
O. M q 10 a