Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-02-14
hcROOL MAxTERs.
Matters Before the Board Of
Visitors Last Night.

Martin D. Mugan is a single gentle.
man from Canada. Some time since
he taught a country school several
miles east Of the city, where he made q
good impression for morality and
efficiency. He now figures in Shole's
directory as Principal of the Peabody
Hotel, though he really is, or has been,
Principal of the Peabody Public
School, and he got himself into hot
water, which he has been lucky enough
to get out of, by being suspended
from duty and pay for month.
He recently introduced Quack-
enbos' history into the Pea.
body School, the lost being
Coo per volume, and all of the pupils
were required to procure and study it.
Superintendent Collier investigated
the matter, informed him he was vio-
lating the rules and he said he was
responsible. At the School Visitors
meeting last night the question came
up and Mr.. Mugan was overhauled.
Being allowed to speak in his defense,
he expressed himself glad of the
chance, said he had broken the writ
ten law, though others in past genera
tions had done the same, but he
thought it right, hence took it upon
himself because he believed the par
ticular history, which is his favorite,
above all others, in merit. He acted in
good faith, but having broken
the law, he probably deserved to
be reprimanded or handled as the
Board saw fit. Colonel DuBose said
the gentleman talked like a book
agent. The Board took the same
view, and promptly, grati6ed and pun
ished Mr.. Mugan by suspending him
for amonth.
Miss Augusta Towel, : always re-
garded with especial favor by
the School Visitors, pupils and parents
as lady of most excellent capacity
and worth, as teacher, also placed
herself under the ban of suspension
until a committee can investigate her
case. The committee includes j. J.
DuBese, Mr.. Estes and Mr.. Walsh.
Miss Towel undertook the private
tuition of Miss Rowona Heiskell, an
estimable young lady, whose proper
place is in the Market street High
School, she having passed the Gram
mar Grade School Of which Miss To-
veil is principal, last session. This
action upon Miss Tovell's part was in
violation Of the rules Of the public
schools prohibiting teachers from
taking private pupils between 8:35 a.
m. and 3 pm. and a notification from
Superintendent Collier that he had
no authority under the rules to sane
ton her course in teaching Miss
Heiskell, also that it was his
duty to object to the admis-
sion Of private pupil in the
public schools, and that her tuition be
confined to the branches prescribed by
the rules and regulations, or until
the Board of Education should give
other instructions. Mr.. Collier mott
fed Miss Towel on the Sd inst. to the
effect above, but up to the 9th the
young lady continued to be taught by
her.
The total number of pupils on the
rolls of tho public schools are set down
at BOB and loss of 70 as compared
with last month. A decrease Of at
is reported, the cause being
assigned to the presence of smallpox
and to bad weather. A school room
used opposite the Clay street school
house has been suspended owing to a
case of smallpox in rooms above.
The Sheriff's bill for $40 20, ex-
penses incurred in holding election
for Visitors, was reduced to $50 by
the Board last night, and that sum is
10 be allowed him. The Board also
decided to pay teachers three years in
service $50 per month, two years $50
and one year $40; also to pay them for
services during Christmas holiday
week. Miss Louise johnson was
elected to vacancy in the high
school at a salary of $50 per month.
The Finance Committee reported
receipts in cash since December 18th
amounting to S7l9l.47; cash on hand
December II, 5000. 36; total, $826l .83;
paid out since, $6422. 80; cash remain
ing. $20S938. The committee was
to borrow $4,000 to square
off with the teachers, they having
received nothing for the past three