Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-07-01

Pond teacher Of Music fer the schools of George
town on the same terms a. last year.
Mr.. Dyer submitted the following nomI-
nations for the first district:
Principal Male Grammar school, Henry " Copp;
assistant for same, Edward A. Paul; Female Gram
!, Eugene d Harrington; Male Intermediate, No. ?,
Isnnis b HallaIsn; Female Intsrmediste, No. !,
No I3, Daniel Foley, and Primary, No. is, Cora
stutTman. The last two nominations which
inadvertently omitted from the committees list,
Mr.. Dyer said that there were no charges
against Mr.. Mckee, and he would bear testi-
reason for the change was that they hal
found better teacher. He proposed to al
vance the interests of the district by select
ing the best teachers, and by making this
selection they would improve the condition
of the schools Of Franklin building, which
Ia usually looked upon BY visitors as
same reasons he had for making a change as
to MIS-. hewitt. He thought that they had
found one better qualif1et for her position,
sition they could md for her.
Mr.. Reyburn moved to postpone action on
the nominations until next meeting, and he
urged that IL was unfair TO make nomina-
tions of persons unknown to some OF the
members, and ask such members to confirm
them.
Mr.. Hovey, moved that the nominations
Mr. Lloyd said that at the previous meet
ing they had set a precedent Ia referring
nominations and asked why make an excep-
ton now. They should be consistent and re-
fer the subject.
After some further debate the subject was
postponed; yeas. 10. Nays-Messrs. Brown,
Brooke, Champlin, Dyer, French, Hoyey,
MCff4t, and Packard. 7.
Mr.. Smith moved to reconsider the voc
and moved the reference of the nomi ations
TO the com mittee; adopted.
Mr.. French made the foil owing nomIna-
tiOns for the Sd district, and they were col
frmed:
male Grammar school Miss Mary Z. Bohrer, sub
assistant, Miss Evelyne VI. Van Doren, acting
Mrs ,Alice N Dulin 10 Primary, No. 5; transfer
Mary 4. Mirick, teacher Of Secondary, No. 8.
Mr.. Lloyd submitted a minority report
from the committee on teachers, recon-
mending the reappointment of Mr.. j. T..
Thompson as principal OF the iih district,
for the following reasons:-lst. His long and
efficient services in the public schools of the
city, embracing period OF more than twen-
ty- seven years. "a. The parents and citizens
OF that school district, with few xceptions,
strongly desire and recommend his reap
pointment. Sd. There are no substantial
complaints OF his school administration in
the district; no charges emanatipg from pa
rents or pupils, and In the absence OF such
charges, sustained by ample proof, we de-
schools. While We readily admit the legal
right of the board to omit the appointment
Qt,lO eStah.
lished usage, beginning from the very foun-
dalton of our school system, has established
the principle that teachers should not be
changed except for manifest neglect OF duty
or inefnciency. A reversal OF this principle
must necessarily make our teacherships
public offices, places OF political patronage,
which in the end must corrupt and democrat
iZe our whole public school system.
Mr.. Lloyd, in connection with his report,
presented petition of the teachers OF the
fourth district, with the exception of one or
Thompson's retention, testifyfng to his uni
form courtesy, long experience, and the wis.
dom and ability which have made the
schools a success. He also presented q pa
large number of ex-Trustees of the Public
Sci ools, and petition OF over one hundred
leading citizens OF the fourth district warm
ly urging Mr.. Thompson's re appointment.
Mr.. Lloyd said that these papers show Mr..
standing, and there are now no
charges as TO inefiiciency. 1t was only last
ear thar his colleague Mr.. Champlin) said
that he was one OF the best teachers In the
District. 1t would be wrong to virtually dis
charge him without hearing, without CIV
Ing him an opportunity of making defence.
He Old not think 1t possible TO obtain the
q ames OF twenty-five persons to o paper
asking him To be dropped. He asked il the
board could vote understandingly on the
proposition To drop him, when but one or
Two trustees outside the fourth district had
been in the schools, and be charged that the
TO him was on account of petty
prejudice.
MIR. Derrick moved to refer the papers to
the conImitte e on teachers.
hr. HOvey said that was unnecessary.
Mr.. Champlin moved To amend the mi
noLity report by striking out the name of J.
+. Thompson and inserting 8. j. Thomson,
and presented paper sIgne1 Dy Geo. Cowle
anu eighteen others asking that the
principal be changed. He sald that he WAS
not disposed TO submit charges and specIfics-
tons 20 show that Mr.. T. is incompetent
out he would state that last year great pres
sure was brought 10 bear 10 prevent Mr..
Thompson from being ousted, and a friend !
who was now opposing the proposed change |
then admitted That the schools were going |
DOWN, and urged that he be tried another |
year, and If he then did not attend to his |
business more regularly he would make no |
TO dropping him. II was true that |
last year he had said of Mr.. Tnom osOn that !
be knew OF 10 better teacher, but he alco |
"A that as a principal he was 6. decided |
failure. Since ne (Ir IT, lad been the prir,- |
81 pal the schools had been going dOwn, and |
&c row saw necessity for change, aud |
1nCer 10 consideration would he vote for |
2 I'M As principal. The very fact that a petit |
lion OF teachers is presented shO VS. that he is |
lDnt for the position, for those WAC know |
know how the signatures were |
9otalL ed-none dared TO refuse. He urged !
hat Mr.. ). j. Thomson be elected, for he |
vas good teacher aud discIpliuarian.
Mr.. Lloyd In reply said that Mr.. Tnomp- |
ION had nothing whatever to do WITH tue pc |
ltIons. The proposition to circulate petit |
lions had been suggested TO him Mr.. Lloyd, |
ana ne gave MS clerk consent TO leave his of. |
ice for that purpose. AS to Mr.. Thomp sOn's |
tiicieEcy, he read from the reports showing !
the per centage made by Mr.. Thompson'S |
pupils to be higher than those of other dis |
Lricts, and he had increased the per centage
from ~ to so in one year. He asserted that |
The fight was personal one, and elaine. !
.har OF those WHO had signed Mr.. Cowie's |
petition Ito which only 10 names were OBJ |
tained In two days., nearly every one had |
some personal feeling against him.
Mr.. Johnson asked II Mr.. s. j. Thomson |
was not teacher In the schools in 1910, |
who resigned because he did not wish to
serve under colored trustees? II so, he did
not wish 10 vote gentleman into the posi-
ton which he was opposed to holding.
Mr.. Brooks said he would not vote against
Mr.. Thomson, even II Ii were proved that he
resigned because he would not serve under
colored trustees, for his application was evil
dence of returning reason.
Mr.. DERRICK moved to recommIt the mi
nority report. Adopted.
Mr.. Dyer moved that the nominations for
the first district be referred to the commit
tee on teachers. Agreed to.
The designations of Miss Fannie +. Cros-
by and Miss Belle Z. Peg ton, as teachers In
the public schools, were received and ac-
cepted.
Mr.. Randolph, from the committee on
reported in reference TO the estab-
i.h of an advanced faualla grammar