Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-06-07
A LIVELY MEETING.
The Board Of Education Steps in
Hot Water and Concludes
to Wade Through.
Direct Charges Made Against Prin-
cipal, and Explanations
Made by Others.
superintendent Mann of san Francisco
Testides and the Sacramento
Teachers Go for Him.

The Board of Education met Saturday to
consider the question now agitating the pub
lie mind, "Wby did the first grade of the
Sacramento Grammar School fail in arith-
metic?" The rooms of the Board were
crowded with deeply interested spectators.
Nearly all the teachers of the schools were
present, and many teachers from private edu-
cational institutions. In addition there were
many citizens, the ladies largely predominant
ing and manifesting the deepest interest in
the proceedings. The rooms were crowded in
every part. Very many stood up the entire
evening; others mounted chairs in the halls
and got a glimpse of the rooms over the heads
in the crowded doorways; Others hung on
to the window-sills and clambered up the
door-posts. There has been no meeting of
the Board for eight years in which so deep an
interest was made manifest by the public.
THE BALL OPENED
By the call of President Griffitts for any
one present to prefer charges, if he or she de-
sired, against any teacher, or any complaint
regarding the public schools.
After pause, and no response made,
Mr.. Tracy moved to adjourn until Tuesday
evening.
Mr.. Hornblower opposed the motion He
wanted this school difficulty taken up now.
THROUGH THE PRESS.
Grave charges had been made. He wanted,
through the press. that the people be informed
of the willingness of the Board to do all it can
in the interests of the schools. For one, he
wanted to face the music He wanted the
reporters to take down the proceedings, and
let the public see that the Board is anxious
that justice shall be done to the pupils of the
Sacramento Grammar School and the Princi-
pal of the school. He had nothing to cover
up. He proposed to briefly give his view of
the matter, and then let any one make
charges for investigation.
MIR. Tracy-If you are anxious to go on
with the matter now, don't object. | made
the motion, as no one made charges. | with
draw>the motion now.
DIRECTOR HoRNBLowER'S VIEWS.
Board he found difficulty existing between
Professors Adams and Mcdonald. The
former said he has no antipathy against Pro-
fessor Mcdonald, but last October he pub
lished letter in the RECORD UNION in which
he intimated that he believed Professor
Mcdonald incompetent. The Board exam
ined into it. For one he saw discord arising.
The Board then resolved Qast Year, that the
examination questions should first be SUBJ
mitted to the Graduating Committee of the
Board. Mr.. Adams submitted two sets of
questions but none for spelling, saying he
would thereafter file questions of ordinary
character. That year the classes of Mr..
Mcdonald were up to the standard in all but
spelling. He called for the spelling questions
and declared that many We're so.dificult that
few could spell them. A lot of the words
Mr.. Hornblower then read.
President Griffitts-This was one year ago !;
let us have the evidence first.
Mr.. Tracy took the point of order that
there were no charges yet.
Mr. Hornblower said he demanded the
right to give history of the affair, that the
public might know the truth. He read some
of the questions and declared them outland
ish. These questions were never submitted
to the committee Of the Board.
LADY TAKES PART.
Mrs. Hartley here asked that Mr.. Adams
be sent for.
President Grifitts said Mr. Adams said he
should not attend unless requested.
Mrs. Hartley asked as q courtesy that Mr..
Adams be sent for.
Mr.. Hnrnblower-Mr. Adams knows of
this meeting. ] au, not obliged to wait on
him any more than he is on me. To resume :
| find that in 1883 Mr.. Mcdonald pro-
NOTED Al out of 30 of his class on the ques-
lions. Is Mr.. Hancock here?
Mr.. Harcock-I am here.
Mr.. Hornblower-We had card in the
paper from him. Who is he? A brother-in-
law of one of Mr.. Adams teachers. He says
we want harmony. OF course. He says MIR.
McDonald's class failed for three years. That
is not so. Here is the true record: