Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-24
The Public Schools and The Public.



A Reorganization of the School Board
Requested.
This morning large delegation OF prorni-
nent citizens waited upon the District Conn
mitsioners to present the views of them
selves and others as to the conduct of the
public schools Among them were the fol-
lowing well known gentlemen: DR.. J. b.
Blake,W w. A. Cook, John +. Given, jos. shil-
Ingtop, A. 8. Solomons, l.. Schade, R. Nc
Murray, J. r. Havenper, W. ID. Wise, g.
Browning, A. p. Pardon, r. PilIipg, J. E. r.
Hoimead, +. j. Heiberger, w. r. Smith,
Joseph l.. Pearson, DE-; ]; Riley, &. J.
M. Morrison, J. L. Bar oour, Z. G. Davis, M.
w. Gait, w. NJ. Shuster, T. l.. Hume, r.
Hume and Others.
DIR. BLAKR's REMARKS.
DR.. Blake frst addressed the Commission
eTs. stating that they were no dou bt person
ally acquainted with all the delegation, and
were doubtless aware that there Is a great
deal of dissatisfaction in this Community
now in reference to school mats rs. espe-
cially In the school district south of toe old
consequence OF the removal OF a gentleman
who had been connected with the SCHOOLS
since his youth-a gentleman whom they
regarded as being the head of the present
school system and who for nearly thirty
years had been successful teacher, with no
complaint sgainsNhim. They felt mortified
and INUNDATED that one who had done Sd
much for the schools and SO satisfactorily
performed his duties should have been SO
summary put away. Another subject OF
regret was That in the board OF trustees the
IN eil1gence OF this community had been
rehected upon by Mr.. Hovey. This
matter was local one until Ii was
insinuated that the people of this Dis.
their own school affairs, when the fact is the
people OF the District are the authors of the
system. Some OF these trustees do not rep
with them, and the Commissioners can very
readily perceive that they (the trustees) at
least should have respect for the people, and
not insult them: He was sure that the great
resented by this delegation, and that the
sentiments which he had expressed, aud
which would be expressed here by others,
to the epithet used by Trustee Hovey as to
MI. Given, and paying high tribute to his
lG.'s) character, DIR. Blake said that the
langnage used was q gross and Infamous
slander.
COL, W. A. COOK
next addressed The Commissioners, and said
the subject on which they had called was OF
the greatest importance-the education OF
children-and while he was an outspoken
partisan, he WAS In favor of the subject be-
above all politics-placed in a higher realm,
ont OF the reach cf party strife. Incidentally
he referred to Mr.. Given having few years
go 6een candidate for the mayoralty OF
less he (COok) aided TO some extent to de-
feat him; but he would say that Mr.. Given
came out Of that canvass with q character
unsullied, and from what he knew of him,
be was the last man to suffer vituperation
The schools IN the District are subject of
contention, and Mr.. Thompson had been re-
moved. He Cook had but little acquaint-
ance with Mr.. Thompson, and proposed to
say nothing for or against him. This dele
CATION had consulted together, and ii was
that the interests OF the schools
DDIl1d q q err a v0f hrr
REORGANIZATION OF THE PRESENT
BOARD,
and they would suggest that the Commits
stoners select an entire new board and ter
inmate The controversy, and he did not think
that aught else could accomplish 1t.
THE FOLLOWING LIST OF SCHOOL TRUs-
he would submit for their consideration
First Distrtct-R. Reyburn, L. Clephare, III.
A. Willard. Second District-W. II. CIagett,
w. r; Woodward. Gen. ". Il; Brown. Third
Walsh. Hon. William Williams. Fourth
Distrct-W. j. Stephenson, j. L. Cassell,
w. III. Crook. Fifth District-J. II. Wilson,
w. II Dunlop. Sixth District-Henry Nay
lor, E. j. Middleton, jr., P. l.. Brooke. Sew
enth District-Henry Johnson, p. Ryder, Dr.
c. b. Purvis, W. d. A. Wormley, Frederick
Out of these there could be selected a board
who would give their time and attention to
the schools, and he had no doubt but the eff
cheney of the schools would be under them
he called the attention of the Commission
ers TO the fact OF several OF the present board
being clerks In the government departments,
Messrs DERRICK, Randolph, French, Moffat,
Packard, and Brooks, and asked IL they, &C
cording to their oaths of Office to serve the
government, could give 10 school matters
was no difficulty in procuring competent
gentlemen whose business belonged
TO them, ana who could and would devote
their time and attention TO the schools. He
as hlx Inc
personal objection 10 the parties he named.
The simple proposition is, will the Commits
sioners, without delay. terminate the con-
question, for this is not In his interest, but In
the interest Of the rising generation, and
children OF those present are interested too
listen to the tTaducfion OF character the
Commissioners should see II they cannot
bring up the board TO higher plane.
MR.. JOHN r. GIVEN
ne xt addressed the Commissioners remark.
ing that bad he known remarks would have
been made as TO him, his absence would
have been easily accounted Ior. In his opin- |
lon, fully nineteen twentieths of the COM |
munity are convinced OF the necessity OF re- |
organizing the board. He had attended the |
meeting In South Washington, because re |
SO many friends there, that he had an inter- |
est in the matter, and he went as q specta-
tor. IL could not be laid to his charge that |
acter, but he claimed the right to comment |
on the action on any public officer. In this |
meeting be was called ON unexpectedly, and |
made some remarks commenting on the |
action OF the board, but he had given no |
cause for any one to apply epithets to him.
II was true that he was imperfect, but he |
than ked God that be had q reputation and q |
good Dsme, which was about all he would |
leave his children. |
The Commissioners could hardly be aware |
Of the depth Of feeling ON this subject In the |
which has been libeled by q |
memb Der OF the board of school trustees. He |
had made distinction between what may |
be called the old fogies and those who had |
come into their midst since 1850, which was |
unfair and uDdeserved. While many Of the |
new corners were persons of whom any com 4
munity might well be proud-meu whom we |
had welcomed with open hands and hearts,
and who have become closely Identified with !
the interests OF the District-it was unjust to |
say that they bad built up the schools, and |
thus Ia Ike the credit from our old residents
We honor them 1.-THE new -comers) and the |
land which gave them birth, and deprecate |
any attempt to draw line OF distinction,
The ommunity had been libeled, and they
resented IL. Let IL emanate from whatever
quarter 1t may. they would resent IL. In |
regard TO the despised (?) class, he would
say, In the language Of Ruth, "Entreat me
not to leave thee" &c.
Mr. Cook suggested that the Commission.
ers might suspend any action of the trustees
as TO vacancies, until they looked into the