Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-08
One of Our school Trustees


One OF Our school Trustees
TO The Editor Of The SfGT
Sir: do rot know the merits OF the con-
roVeTsy between General Hovey and Prin-
cipal Thom pson, nor do I propose To engage
IN H. but desire to say that there is that In
the experience of Genl HOvey which would
seem TO 81 him for a school trustee. and,
such.
GenT Hovey is a graduate of Dartmouth
college, and, Ike many other Dartmouth
men, supported himself when IN college by
teaching. After he graduated he was prin-
ciPal OF the nigh school and academy at Fra
miDghRm, Mass, and then became principal
of boys school at Peoria, Ill. In Illinois
be was one OF the leading men In the move
ment that organized the present system Of
free schools under state authority, support.
ed by taxation He was the editor or the
"lllinois Teacher" the organ OF the Illinois
STATE 81 Teachers Association, Of which body
1ptencent of schools and principal OF the
high school for Peoria, and when, In 1851,
Tue Normal University OF Illinois was es.
there be cor tinued until the war broke cut,
when be entered the field as colonel OF the
ga iilnols, mainly composed OF and Off
IN such q record the appointing power
might md excelleat excuse for making hi N
q school trustee.
August 8, 1876. RD. M.
Having no disposition to underrate Mr..
Hovey; or do him any Injustice, we very
readily give place TO the above. At the same
time, and without questioning the fattering
record given of his career as an educator
and military man, we may be permitted to
say that, whether from impaired digestion,
disordered liver, or the "reminiscences of
military rule he Is now a sour, dogmatic,
despotic person, who seems to look
upon the teachers as mendicants and hire
1fpgs TO be disp aced without cause or notice
at the will fhafr ho
We believe Mr.. Hovey to be a man of integ-
rity, and do not class him with the persons
who have sought place on the school board
Tor selfish or unworthy purposes, but at the
same time we think his faults of temper
bitterness, dogma tism, want OF sympathy
with teachers, tyrannical ideas Of military
discipline in school matters, and inordInat e
eelfconceit render him one Of the most
unit men for a place on the board that
could well be found. The manner Ia which
he has conducted the prosecution, or rather
he persecution against one OF our oldest
aud best teachers, towards whom he has had
q pique, illustrates this fact. The fact that
he is q capable, well trained lawyer also
adds TO bis disqualincations for the position
OF school trustee, as, combined with
bis intense bitterness and self conceit,
II causes him to enter into raid
upon q school teacher with all the
hsat, animus, and zeal in hunting up evil
cepce, Of legal practitioner bent upon
winning cause. And, however he may
have distinguished himself In the past az an
educator, We submit that he does not now
show evidence OF being sufficiently well
posted even In that point OF view to make
him proper person to have control over our
public schools interests. The following from
the Cupttoi OF Sunday last shows that we are
not alone In this view:
Another spirit Of aggression Ignorance
and eonceit controlling our schools and push
Ing this persecution Is Mr.. or General Ho.
vey. We do not know any thing OF Mr.. Ho-
vey except from his own hand writing, which
Is h.d tne same me, a. pogber,ys: Last year We
1nation questions propounded by this light of
learning, and they suggested the folloV wing
SSSTgmeptaTy which appeared In The Capital
"All that are promoted are not fully wise,
says "Tne Ship OF Fools" an ancient satire,
IN Which J, THIS Line ct ieast win Be found sp:
examiners, whose duty IL IL to pass upon the
Qualfncations ofapplicants for promotion In
s me public schools Of this District, IVES q
IN imperfect list Of the questions propound-
ed, and among them were the following,
which every man Of any education. and not
entirely deprived by an inscrutable provi-
dence OF common sense, win recognise as the
embodiment Of absurdity and an undeniable
POSITION other than that Of anitor 10 ISt any
mary" Ii the educational department:
GBo6RAPHY.
Explain how II happens, IL IL does happen,
mar the DAYS ana nights vary IN length at Wash
i ana so ~ me- De any time or times dur
ien0th IN asbips, 1; :. ~ 49, 81 oi squai
we snnnoSa the ansvar 20 iris or.s,,.,
- ssPfs.IsS. .uo aus wi W tuIs question:
rao.na ~. ,s Icy 10y uero Lor .ue sams
81 n,asen, 49, ~ -, al,.ni rn; huu .uae,
owing 10 high taxes. our credit system Is
uesuoy "a, ano We take no noe OF uInes mere
10 snolner oriiIlanI interrosaOry;
tive reason why Chicago was not AMI could not
Inc prophetic eye OF the nrst settler sea-
Ing what sort OF q man Mr.. Delano.f tina
Iotufe Secretary OF the Interior, woIld be,
ss nnssihIs ,r me his 81 ans ssstt city as lar