The bee., 1883-07-21

as they are competent To tedch "hu
bring ND their school to the required
standard. Every teacher can now De
assured that the policy of tyranny mas
been abolished, and that teachers heeo
not have any fear or be compeiieu u
cringe to trustees inferior TO tAeih-
selves intellectually. Teachers nave
heretofore been commanded to DOW 10
these arrogant and insolent trustees.
The removal of Henry johnson from
the school board meets the hearty
endorsement of the cOlOred people.
His course. since he left Philadelphia
and came to this city has been one
of treachery and deception, and this
course alone has caused the contempt
Of the people. He could have been
useful man, and one who couid
have succeeded, but his vile course III
the churches against the minister Oh
the Gospel, and his love to satisfy his
personal spleen against people who
have seen fit to oppose him, VIII for-
ever be remembered. What Is needed
to promote our public school system
are competent teachers and trustees.
Male principles is a necessary requl-
site, and high school with a COM
petent instructor. The duty OF our
new board is to reorganlze the pubic
schools. which, no doubt, will be done.
We have now teachers holding prlncl-
palship who are not competent to hold
such positions, and the sooner this state
of affairs is changed, the better it will
be for our public school system. The
refusal of Commissioner Edmonds to
accept of the resignation of trustee
John H. Brooks meets the approval
of the people. There is no man more
competent and useful to our public
schools than Mr.. Brooks. He IS an
honest man, and is generally guided
bv his better judgment, and not
by personal prejudice. We can
assure the commissioners that our
school will be now conducted with
harmony and wisdom, ,andthat they need
not have any fear Of their failing while
our fellow citizens and townsmen are
managing them. The school in the
county will be conducted upon a higher
basis. and it is hoped that DR.. {. B.
Puryis will see that they are so con-
The Normal school should
have a male at its head, and while we
have the implicit confidence in this
motors ability she is physically inca
pacitated.
James H. Smith, one of the recent
appointments as one of the trustees OF
Public schools, is well known In this
community, he has lived in Washing
ton since infancy. He was first ap-
pointed a clerk in the Freedmans' Bu-
reau. He then commenced the study
of the law, and in 1873 he graduated
third i'll his class, and delivered Ill
Grafton on the unanimity OF Jurles,
taking the unpopular side OF that
question. which created sensation ut
that time. He resigned his position
as clerk i'll the Freedmans' Bureau Ill
the fall of rs to accept the office us
Sanitary Inspector under the Board OF
Health. This position he lllled 1or
about six years He was recognized
as the expert in that Department, ana
a large number of the reports OF the
late Board of Health are BOND upon
his recommendations During the
time he was employed by the Board OF
Health, he acted as prosecuting attOr-
nev for them in the Police Court. lie
hnrnr, Tho practice Of law Ivy forming
a copartnership with the late John III.
Cook, and shortly after Mr.. Cook died
Jas. III. Smith assumed charge OF the
business, wound up the partnership
concern, and continued to prosecute
his professor. He made civil practice
a speciality, and is the only colored
man in this District to day who occu-
pies so high a position i'll the civil
courts. His practice is not only among
colored people but he has white clients
as well. lie was also appointed by
President Hayes a Notary Public, and
his commission will not expire until
of 'S3. He was selected by
the trustees of the Howard UNIVERSE
tv as a member of the faculty OF the
law departm mt, and is likewise sec
retarv and treasurer. lie lectures to.
the senior aad post graduate elias
from September until June of each
year. This young man is a recognized
business man in this community,
stands well to the BEES own knowl-
edge among eur best merchants and
banks. He is self made man and
owes his success solely to his energy
and integrity. We feel confident in
saying that the appointment meets the
approval of the best people in this Dis
trict, and we know that in the dis
charge of his duties as trustee he will
bring the same energy, the same in
tegrity and the same straightforward
course which has marked his whole
life.