National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-08-20
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Few Pertinent Suggestions and Criticisms.
10 ihe ELitnr nf the NnLin.lnI RcnuLLicnn

Few Pertinent Suggestions and Criticisms.
To The Editor Of The National Republican:
SIR; I have, especially after your wcl.timed
editorial of yesterday counseling action in lieu
OF words, to apologize for intruding upon your
good nature and space in your valuable journal
to say word or two about the management of
our public schools. Tho Commissioners ut tho
onset committed grave blunder in dclegating
their joint authority over so important mat.
ter as the public schools to one Of their num-
Der before the machinery was put in good
working order. Had that been done, the false
etiquette of two Commissioners sinking their
judgment out ofdeferenco to tho one, simply be-
cause certain supervisory duties had been rs.
signed him, would have boon averted. think it
unfair to charge all the blunders of the sch ool
mismanagement upon Mr.. Dent for no matter
what agreement the Commissioners may enter
into the public must, and will, hold them
jointly responsible. / have, 10 suit the most
exactng, been long enough in Washington to
be classified an old citizen l pay taxes, in
Guiding water tax voted, when hero we had
suffrage, and nowhere else children born and
buried here ; in fact, enjoyed all tho blessings
and suffered all the i'll falling to the lot of good
citizen. l thus, out Of Difference to small
percentage Of older citizens, rise and explain
why meddlo with their affairs. The blundcr
before referred orelative to the delegated power
ofthree to one, probably could not have led to
such a amuddle had man of and from the
people been selected to fill so responsible po-
sition; but, unfortunately for the people, a
born aristocrat, who never in his life attended u
public school, and whose sympathies are not
in common with them was by his associates
given absolute control over them. / would
not insult the ma esty of the Board of Com.
| m hty tnGi inn, ant q,
together with its kindred sister charities, were
| thrown to brother Dent in order to satisfy his
| ambition and prevent any interference with
the heavier things Of the Board-365-s and
such like but it kinder looks that way, and
the poor old gentleman-how he takes TO it!
The ermine OF the Supreme Court OF the United
States is not more worldly wise in appearance
than this dear, retired aristocrat, when exam
lining the bills and other matters relating to the
schools, for then he assumes judca Hook that
is decidedly refreshing.
Blunder number two consisted in completely
ignoring the wishes of the people in retiring
such eminent educators rs General William ii. .
Browne, graduate of West Point DIR. @. III.
Cragin, graduate of Yale College General c. II
Hovey principal of the State Normal Academy,
ILL.,; Is. L. Davis former superintendent county
schools, and Colonel Dyer. Also forcing, out
of self.respect, such men as g. b. Smith, X. b.
Detrick, Madison Davis, and William j. Rhees
to resign.
In connection with tho last-namod gentle.
man, If they would give the public the reasons
| assigned in private for this withdrawal a very
interesting, If not instructive, chapter might
be added to the school report now In preparu.
ton.
Blundcr number three was the grand flourish
made about the non.partisan (poltical) complex
ion of the board. IL is very strange that gov
ornment run on the non-partisan plan should
| g..itl ;., a.
board or elsewhere, find only Democrats quail.
fed to fill said vacancy. Tho displacement
Of eleven Republicans and substituting the
same number OF pronounced Democrats-many
of them fine fcllOws--is only cqualed by the
admirable working Of tho admirable system
Of civil SERVICE which turns OF the loyal sol
dier and provides for the unrepentant rebel
The board rs now constituted stands thus
eleven white, with an auxiliary colored man
TO make the even dozen Democrats; three
white and four colored Republicans, with an
Andrew johnson Republican rs superintend.
ent In the point Of fact, the colOred assist,
ant superintendent, Mr. Cook, is the embodi.
ment OF the political -partisanship of the
board he concerns himself about himself
statistics and drawing his pay.
l have but little personal knowledge o
either gentlemen acting as superintendent. bu
l think they might serve tho cause of educa
tion by complying with tho wishes of th'
people in reducing instead of EvOring, ad
ditiOnal study matter IN the schools. | an
something Of an old fogy in my belief that
superintendent should be something else thar
II compiler of statistics and flying visitor t
II school room, popping in and out at tho enc
of each month, IN order to have his name re
corded rs having visited. l think he shoult
take the school in hand and satisfy himsel
what the teacher is doing, and not dopent
upon forced percentages ut the end of eaci
month to determine her fitness. / hope, whel
the next change is made affecting tho schoo
board, the superintendents will be elected b,
the board, SO that the members of that bod
can direct them in their duty without courtin;
their displeasure to the extent Of assassin.like
stabbing their superiors in the dark, by making
statements to the Commissioners and thel
pledging them, for feal Of exposure, TO secrecy
OLD CITIZEN.