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

to try experiments unless the necessity be urgent
and the utility evident and well to beware that II
Is the reformation that draweth on the change and
formation"
Why. then, appoint women on the School Board,
ana II women, what women7 VIII you up.
!ston, or Will you select from those thousands and
tens OF thousands yet unheard FROM whose very
silence indicates that they are not enlisted under
Minorities have rights, but mGorities have priv.
leges And 1t would seem that this great silent
majority esteem apryegeto do their duty IN that
sphere into which 1t has pleased God TO call them.
They do not ask for school trusteeship. They
might be the htest Of their sex TO an the position
the last to seek 1.-THE ilrst to declineit
When, therefore, Mrs. Bclva A. Lockwood and
her following OF six undertake TO speak for their
sex tney are guilty OF an extrayaganee parallel 70
the famous pronuncianonto Of the two tailors Of
Iooley street in which state paper they figure as
We the people Of England" And we think the
moral that this petition points Is illustrated by that
familiar and happy comparison of the philosoph.
zeal Burke: Because half q dozen grasshoppcrs
under a fern make field ring with their importu.
beneath the shadow of the British oak, chew tho
cud and are silent, pray do not imagine that they
who make the noise are the only inhabitants of
the field"
Your honorable body will observe that these
seven ,petitioning mothers claim that the ap,
polntment of "one or more upon the School
Board would be In the nature Of National bless.
ing, yet we submit that no mother can contribute
70 Tue prosperity of state 30 surely as by dedcat-
daughters virtuous And many Of the difficulties
surrounding the management of public schools are
owing TO the lack of healthy home influences, ten
der, patient yet jealous maternal oversight.
Again, the trustee is not brought in such close
relationship with the pupils As these petitioners
represent. The board Is moro legislative than
didactc3 or pcdagogic. II Is the teacher who in
structs and Intimately influences Recognizing
women's peculiar excellence as the instructors of
youth, we have appointed them to over ninety five
per cent Of our teacherships.
~, women OF education refinement and femininity
mus prCdominating, we cannot comprehend the
necessity OF utility of appointing others upon the
school Board. since believe their characteristic
qualities Of usefulness would not there be called
into action, even If VIC could command the same
high order Of talent upon the board that we have
III the school room.
In conclusion, we would state that while not ell
listed with the bigots of the past or the mission
woman's sphere, we believe that they cannot do
themselves justice or others good in positions of
school trustees or Offices ciuSdCm gcricris.
We submit rccapituaton OF report, whose
length is apolOgized for:
Ert-womcn are legally eligible to the position
OF school trustee.
sccond-The Commissioners have the power to
appoint them.
Third-rhey have no right simply because they
are women to the office.
Fourth-There is no sufficient reason assigned in
this petition for their selection.
Finl-All the possible benefits 10 the system TO
De derived iIOm the Influence of women are secured
by their predominancc rs teachers, us they hold
more than ninety-five per cent of such positions.
siNth-Thc petition of seven women cannot be
accepted as the oracle OF the sex in this District and
If women are to be appointed, candidacy Of seven
VIII cramp that eCccticism essential 10 the selec-
ton Of the best agents.
seventh-Seven mothers" can do the " State >
more good in seven homes than upon one school
board.
All ofwhch is respectfully submitted.
b. q. LovEJoY.