National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-11-10

Hbed to purchase the property Ohercu Tor school
purposes by certain parties In Georgetown
THE FEMALE SCHOOL TRUsrEEsHIP.
Mr. Curtis from the committee 10 whom was re.
fcrred communication relative to the appoint.
ment Of women ON the Board Of School Trustees
reported that tie committee failed b. agree but
each member would submit his own views. This
arrangement was agreed to by the board, and Mr.
Curtis was the first report read. All of the reports
were unfavorablc TO the wOmaiI's side Of tic guuS-
ton, except that of Mr.. Farley. Mr.. Farley says
IN conducting our public schools by far the
largest share of the work l. performed by ladies'
who yet have no voice IN the administration OF the
system of which they are It's brightest ornaments
Regarding the school as al extension Of the family
and coordinate with the church (Which wOman's
love- purity and fidelity are essential to success he
therefore, believes that If prOportionate number
of refined aud educated ladies were appointed on
the school Board the interests Of education would
be advanced and the efficiency Of the schools pro-
Mr. Middleton made brief report In opposition
70 the proposition. lie was followed by Mr. b. G.
Loycjoy
The Various reports were then discussed In com.
mttce Of the whole aud resolution offered by
Mr. Wilkinson adopted suggesting that all of them
be printed in the minutes, and the one submitted
by Mr.. LOYCjOy be accepted as the sense of the
board The board then adjourned.
Following is the text OF Mr.. Loyejoy's report
adopted by the board;
10 The Commissioners AZ he District Of Columbia:
GENTLEMEN: We have the honor to ncknowl.
edge the receipt of tho petition of Mrs. Bclya A.
Lockwood and six other women, representing
themselves as "mothers, &C. setting forth the
peculiar fitness aud claims OF theirseN for positions
upon the School Board
We fluid that this petition was addre lsed TO the
President; was referred by him To the Attorney.
General for Il legal opnion was referred by the
latter ~ your honorable body for statement of
your views Of your powers In tile matter" aud
that the whole subject was thereupou referred by
you 10 this board
We recognize the undertaking so hatteringly as
signed somewhat foreign " our functions but
not desiring 10 appear reluctant u meet any OH.
cal responsibility, we have entered into an nyesti
CATION of the subject matter submitted, aud return
lpr
The question divides itself tnto two branches.
First, the problem Of law submitted by the AttOr-
y-Gencra Second, the problem Of prOprley and
| policy submitted 10y your Honorable body These
were examined IN their order, aud they suggested
the following propositions: A ltriisteCship is
| an office. An oilice is public trust Of honor or
| cmOlument or OF both.
In connection with this inquiry 1t seemed that
the nature of the specific position might he best
examined by considering the elements or incidents
| ofthe generic term, They are four
First-The power to appoint to office.
scCOnd-The right TO hold Office.
Thrd-1he obligation 10 accept Office
FOurth-The capacity 10 I'LL Office.
Upon the irst proposition We are unanimous
We think there viii be no doubt as to your power
| to appoint women upon the School Board In the
nbsGI,Ce Of any constitutional or statutory prohibit
ton we of the opinion that women are legally
eligible 10 any position In the Sin Of executive
elCCtOr,
| A. 10 the second proposition we submit that the
right to hold office Is not natural right and that
whatever claims these seven petitioners may have
| upon executive favor they cannot rest their de-
| mand upon any other ground than the super eX-
CellcuCe of their sex, which they have so nOlestly
sci forth IN their petition,
With regard 10 the third propostion-i e. " the
obligation TO accept office we are satisfied that
this moral sentiment i for the most part dormant
until a salary is attached 70 place when IL be-.
comes quickened. And we may Udd that We know
| Of no men who have accepted IN Office from u
mere OF duty, unless they be the school trus.
tees past and present, Of the District Of Columbia
la regard 10 tie capacity 10 I'LL offices this Is O
mootcd question, dependent upon ciYil'seryice re-
/ form.
If there Is rule OF universal application, Il that
| a woman who wants school iTustership knows
| She ca I'LL il better Than the nau who has IL.
Having, according to our best lights, disposed of
| the question of your power 10 appoint women u!Nn
! the school BUuId, we proceed n offer our opinion
upon the policy and propriely Of action favorable
! to the rCqiiest Of the petitioners.
FiTst-We call your attention 10 the fact that TIL
petition Is gncd by only seven, which lIstlhes rs
In the conclusion that they alone Of all the women
Of this District hold tie views are AiilctGd wih
the ambition indicated IN the paper before us.
! SeCundly-'rhat unless Wc.bclleye u the trunsmi.
wise men Of Greece have taken up their residences
IN the intellectual beings of these seven petitioners
You have very limited representation OF the sex
10 choose from.
ThiTdly--lOu are requested 10 initiate new or
der Of things In school affairs.
Intelligent executive authority Is presumed TO
sc'ccl the tyeSt agents Tor us purposes. Having
lpund them satisfactory, conservative executive
authority will hesitate and ask for conclusive argu-
mGnts before making innovations.
The public schools have progressed under the
fostering care Of lie character Of agencies you aud
your predecessors have employed. They are now In
| n hUurlshlng condition, and assurances OF thelI
future welfare are based upon their past success
can be no safer rule than that OF letting well
enough alone. " IL rs good says Lord Bacon, mot