National Republican., 1881-09-14


tutously. The offer was accepted with thanks.
Also one from Miss Ella Gnsch, teacher asking
for indefinite leave Of absence on account OF Sick
ness. The request was granted. communication
in regard to the introduction of Spencerian copy
slips In the schools was referred to the committee
on text. books. Mr.. Robert W. Fenwick sent acom-
muncation, requesting that a teacher OF u Kinder
garlcn school at Thirteenth -and.a-half street and
ohio avenue be appointed, at n salary of 5000. Re.
ferrcd. ~
Professor Jdmes NJ Gregory submitted the fol-
lowing petition, requesting that his child be ad-
mitts TO the school in the Prescott building, the
I'D child being rejected on account Of lis color.
To the Board Of Trustees of Public Schools Of the Dis
/, james N. Gregory, q citizen of the United
States. residing IN the District of Columbia, on
sixth street extended north into the county, near
the Prescott school building, respectfully repre-
sent rs follows; On Monday, the 5th day Of Sep.
o'clock a. m, TO the public school taught In the
Prescott building Miss Nichols. princlpal, to be
admitted as pupil, AZ that time and as late as
Friday last other children were admitted MS new
pupils. My child was refused admission OH Mon.
day, Tuesday and other days of the week. the
teacher, the principal, and the trustee in charge
ing positive instructions TO TINT effect from Mr.
Wornlcy., Mr. Wormlcy himself, in written an.
SWcr OH behalf Of the subbOard to an aIplIca.
ton addressed to him by me- refers me to q
rule Of the board OF trustees, directing that
separate schools for white children and col
ance with existing laws and thus, by
implications declares that he refuses to admit my
son 70 the Prescott building on account Of color
mcnt Of the present public school system In the
District Of Columbia eXpedienCy demanded sep
nratC schools so that persons Of different colors
might send 70 special ones II they chose to do so,
and that in the larger number of cases these have
been sufficient for tho public needs, still this ex-
pcdiency does not vest your honorable body with
legal power to erect into law against the provisions
Of several acts Of Congress absolute discrimina-
Tons against citizens on account of their race or
color to disregard IN admissions TO school all con-
slderauonS OF convenience or propriety, aud TO In
| tlict upon innocent children pains and degrnda-
| ton dictated by the prejudiCCs of times now hap
PLY past. The circumSiancCs OF The present case
make It cne OF peculiar hardship. My child
| Is of tender aye, being less than seven years
! old. The Prescott building is hnrdly square
distant from my residence. and Is easily
! accessible from Il. The school kept in
| 1t is attended by many Of Eugcncs playmatcs, who
| have never yellmude him aware of any prejudices,
racial or otherwise, against him. and | think that
| his presence in the school would not be disagree.
able either TO the teachers or pupils. On the other
hand, the school To- which / must presume the
| trustee in charge wishes me TO send the child Is
| more than three times as far from my residence as
| the school in the Prescott building 1t is Mt the
bottom OF long hill, Is accessible by road part
| OF which Is not paved, and which Is not easily
traversed in inclcment weather by q child six
years OF age 10 exclude him from the Prescott
school IS in effect, to impose upon me the ultcrna-
tive Of seeking to educate him ut great expense in
other schools where tlllS unjust discrimination
not made or to teach him at this tendar age that
| he Is now 10 be publicly assigned to prescribed
class of the citizens OF his country, and thus de.
privcd of that equality before the law which is es-
tabished in the Constitution of the United States
do therefore respectfully petition you to reverse
the decision Of Mr.. Wormloy the trustee in change
and of the subbCard of the division and to grant
| the application which now make to you for the
admission of my son Eugene to the school kept in
the Prescott BUILDING, situate at the intersection OF
sixth street extended north into the county aud
''"''''''' ''''''' ''' flames JAMES ~ GREGORY.
CHANGES IN TEACnEGllsIrs, ETC.
| The designations of Miss Annie NJ. Gregg sixth
| division, and Miss Mary L. Dodge and Miss Mary
| L. Bohrcr, third division, were accepted The
following applications for teachers positions were
| received and placed on file: Clara A. Armes, Mrs
4, e. Gatchcll, o. NJ Wood, Rae I. Saunders, A. J.
| Pierce, Josephine A. Church, Lucy Rider, c. n
Bowman, May A. BIownell, Lizzie II. Norton
| Frank T. Lane, Emma G.. Bonney, Hattie Graft
aud Nellie d. Browne. Applications for janitors
positions were received from Edwin S. Smith and
| John T. Ferguson.
MORE ROOM WANTED.
| Mr.. Smith, from the subbonrd of the seventh d.
vision, reported IN favor Of renting the build
| ing OH street, between Fourth and Finh, fol
school purposes at rental not exceeding $500 pei
annum. The report wns adopted. The subboard
tons of teachers NJ. Louisa stroebel Jane p. Nc.
| Caulcy, Selma b. Rynex, and Marion W. Anderson
They also recommended that Miss NJ. J.. Strocbel be
| granted leave of absence for the school year O
| ISSl 2. Adopted. The subboard Of the iliih di.
| vision reported the nomination of Miss Annie l.
| l'eirce as teacher aud Mrs II. X. Burroughs rs.
siStnnt teacher. Adopted The president sub.
mttc1 the standing committees for the year, the
| only changes being the substitution of the name
! of Mr.. II. a. Griswold for that of Mr. Christy oI
| the various committees. -
| DISCUSSION on PROFESSOR GREGoRY's PETITION.
reply to the communication OF Professor Gregory
| was submitted by the subbOar1 of the sixth divis
lou, Which stated that the law provided white ant
-COOrcd schools in the District, aud did not allow
the intcrmingling OF the races
| Mr. Brooks stated that he understood that col
orcd children were admitted into the Franklil
school and other schools of the first division.
| was these breaches of the law that made the col
ored people think that there was unjust discrmi
Mr. Gregory denied that this was the case in tn
first division,
MIR. Brown said that last year by mistake col
ored child was admitted into the schools of tn
sixth division, and he believed from this fact tn
petition arosc The child only remained six week
In The school Mr. Brown said TINT Professor Greg
oTy had told him that he intended to take thl
question to the Commissioners as soon as II wa
considered by the board for, this reason h
thought that the papers should be referred to
special committee. The papers were, however
referred to the committee on rules
Mr.. Pearson offered u motion that the subboar
of the fourth division be authorized to rent tw
buildings for school purposes at rental not 10 cx
coed $50 per month each. Adopted
Mr.. Brooks offered u resolution that In furnish
ting rented buildings old furniture be used rs far Il
practicable. The resolution was adopted, and
was referred to the committee on supplies. 80,
Inc cOmWllttt on HCCOunS reported Dill
amounting to s0i72iS and the report was adopted
III regard TO filling the
| VACANCIES IN THE HIGH SCHOOL,
Of which there are fourteen in the boys an
eighteen in the girls school, the committee o
teachers considered the question, and adopted tn
| following resolution.
I" RESOLVED, That the chairman be, and he hcreb
is empowered to admit to examination for the cS
istlng vacancies In the high schools all of tn
pupils of the eighth grade who have as yet aI
piled, together with such others rs may hercaitl
apply, uutil such vacancies shall be filled"
| Mr. Lloyd, who represented II minority of III
committee submitted TO the board the followin
resolution:
"That the next highest who have shown prom
nence in the intellectual studies be admitted
the vacancies IN the high schools
| The resolution was opposed on the ground tn
there was no appeal from the decision of the con
mittec on teachers to the board, and the chair dc
cided 1t out Of order,
In reply to Il question Mr.. Lovcjoy, chairman
the committee, stated that the examination
these candidates was going on this week. II
also stated that 1t is 10 be y MS rigid as the on
before. An address to the District Commissioners
ana referred by them to the trustees, from Mi
Emily Wrightnan, OF the Seaton building, Va
presented, suggesting that only one session of Il
) Mr.. IOveloy offered resolution in this come,
ton which stated that the board was alwa!
ready to hear petitions from the teachers and tn
the bOnrd only had the right to regulate the SO
siOns OF the schools The resolution wus adopte
r The board adjourned.
A Washington Chorus for yorktown.
Mr.. Siegel, of Richmond, Va, who
| the n,usInaI dirnrinr of the Yorktown Cpntpnn mi