Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-07-02
Progress Made I'm School System
Reform.

The school board had a harmonious meeting
last night and made some progress with the
report OF the committee On course of study and
text books. The principle mo new text books
was endorsed; also, by striking out certain
books from the list and making them works Of
reference and by dropping others altogether,
"fewer studies are provided The ghost of
the old board seems happily to have lost its
terrors for the trustees II ali the proposed
changes are discussed In the same spirit the
public can have no complaints to make
In respect to the fairness OF the board.
There is, however, one matter growing out of
the past action OF the trustees respecting the
committee report, which demands a loud pro-
test, though the board itself need not shoulder
the blame. According to the minutes of the
meeting OF the trustees on June oath, the follow
Ing resolution was adopted by vote of Q TOT,
in reference to the report of the committee on
course of study:
"That the recommendations of the committee
De now considered, but that all preceding there
TO be regarded as not before the Board or any
part Of its report"
1t seems that the mover Of this resolution
was tired OF the proltless discussion that had
sprung up concerning the preamble, and
desired to end 1t in order that the
specific recommendations might be con-
Sidered. The board passed this resolution
and then demanded of the mover what he
meant BY 1t. Its effect he thought was to strike
out all of the report, preceding the recommen-
dations. As the latter motion would be parlia.
mentary,- no especial exception was taken by
any ole to the roundabout method of present.
Ing II. The boards method of striking out part
OF report by resolving to shut its eyes to the
fact that this part existed, reminded one of Mr..
Podsnap's habit OF loftily waving aside by
motion OF his hand all unanswerab,e arguments,
and was rather amusing. 1t appeared to be
rather good joke. But it turns out to be more
serious. The secretary OF the board CONSTITUTES
the resolution to mean not only that the board
In adopting the report struck out the preamble,
but that it Instructed him to expunge from the
minutes OF a preceding meeting, already ap.
proved, the record OF the fact that the commit
tee had presented report containing such
preamble. In other words the record Is to be
falsified so as to make it appear that at re-
cent meeting the committee on the course of
study made one report, which was received and
ordered to be printed, when they really report
ed something else. Nothing less than an un-
mistakeable motion to expunge from the
minutes should be permitted to produce
this effect. The resolution as worded
cannot be construed as the secretary would
construe 1t. We venture to to assert that its
mover Will not assume the responsibility for
any such intention, as that with which he is
credited. Since question has arisen as to the
proper construction Of the resolution, it will be
wise In the secretary {Mr Brooks) to ask the
board for directions In the matter before taking
any steps upon his own responsibility. 1t Is
remembered that the failure to obey the
direction Of the board, that 25O copies of the
original report be printed, Is properly credited
TO him, and people may begin TO talk If he
makes himself further conspicuous In the same
direction by attempting, On his own authority,
to suppress the opinions of the committee alto
gether. This is carrying his hostility to reform
nof the school rules quite too far.