Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-14
A Temporary superintendent.

WILSON'S PLACE.
The District Commissioners yesterday after
noon designated Prof. e. A. Paul, principal of
the High school, as temporary superintendent
OF the white schools Of the city, in place Of Mr..
j. Ormond Wilson, resigned.
Mr.. Paul, who Is q young man, was born in
Wakefield, N. H., and was educated at Dart
mouth college, He is a graduate, also, Of the
National law school of this city He began
teaching In this city in 1875, and as assistant
Geacher In charge Of the grammar school In the
franklin building. In December, 1877, upon
the organization Of the advanced grammar
school, he was made principal Of that school
men the girls and boys advanced schools
were consolidated and the present High school
became principal of the school thus established
Snder his management the school has taken
Mr.. Paul appeared at the superintendent's
Office in the Franklin building q little before
noon to-day, and remained there for some time
ment had come so suddenly that he did not
know yet Just what he would do. Hesupposed
that some arrangement would be made to fill
that under which he was holding the office of
superintendent. 1t would require a little of his
time to arrange matters at the High school be-
Iore ne could give himself up entirely to his
new duties. He had no schemes, he said to
try: and thought the work required of the SUI
perlntendent during the last quarter of the
year was chiefly of routine character He
had no ambition or hope, he said, in response
to question of THE STAR reporter, to have the
present temporary appointment made perma-
nent. He was very much attached to the High
school, and would very much regret having TO
The selection was a surprise to Mr.. Paul, as
will be seen by his letter of acceptance. Com
missioner West stated this morning to a STAR
reporter that the Commissioners knew of his
capacity as a teacher and executive officer from
their own observations of his course. and he
thought no one could say aught against the
choice. "The fact is" said the general. ..this
city is not center from which to select man
of the peculiar abilities fitting him for great
instructor and a full Acknowledgement of school
wants ana requirements. Yale and Harvard
are the locations for such men; but should Mr..
Paul show such capacity as is needed in this
District, he might be continued as superinten-
dent"
The following is copy of Mr.. Pauls letter of
acceptance:
"HIGH SCHOOL,
WASHINGTON, D. c., April Ia, 1855.
To the Honorable Commissioners Qf the District OF
Columbia:
18th inst; notifying me that 1 am temporarily
appointed superintendent of the public schools
Ia the District of Columbia has been received.
which comes entirely without my asking ac-
cept the position,--deeply sensible of it's re-
sponsibilities, but resolved to give my best en-
deavors to the faithful discharge of its duties.
(Sgned) EDWARD A. PAUL,
Principal"
Mr.. West said that a superintendent was
needed who possessed the dual character of a
good educator and a good administrative Of
hcer They wanted a man who could be en-
trusted with the management of the financial
affairs OF the schools, well as of their educa-
t1onal lnterests-a man who would not ask for
more than was needed, and would get all the
material or service he paid for. If they paid
for service in the schools they did not want the
service rendered by substitutes. If a person
was paid 81 900 for teaching, they expected to
get 81 900 worth of service. They wanted a
superintendentw who could tell good service when
he saw it, and tell good broom when il was paid
for. A great trouble with the school management
had been, he said, that the gentlemen in
charge had asked for everything in sight. The
Commissioners estimates. however, had to
pass the scrutiny Of the Treasury department
and of the congressional committees, and some
good reason had to be given in every case
before money would be appropriated. "We
have not had time to think of that" he said
when again asked if there was any person
whom the Commissioners had in mind for the
Office of SUPERINTENDENT. There is too much
to do in the schOOlS-too much to attend to
that ought TO have been attended to during the
last few months"
SECRETARY RHEEM OF THE SCHOOL BOARD RE-
SIGNS
Mr.. Clarence B. Rheem, who has been the
efficient secretary of the school board for some
years, has resigned to take a position in the
business Office of Mr.. B. II. Warner.