New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-18
GRACE NAMES TWO WOMEN
MRS AGNEw AND MISS DODGE APPOINTED.

Education yesterday, Mrs. Mary Nash Agnew. the wife
OF Ut. Cornelius K. Agnew, the oculist and Miss
Graoe II. Dodge. daughter of William E. Dodge They
are the first women appointed this position in
| New-York
IHE TRIBUNE several weeks ago indicated that q
strong effort would be made for the appointment of at
least one or two the Board this fall and the
women among whom the movement originated have
been working Maously secure this result The idea
had been dominant for several years among teachers
and women who interested In public school affairs.
Last month. however 1t was taken up by the Teach
ers' Mutual Improvement Association. 1t was then
determined that II such action could secure the in
dorsement of the Primary Teachers Association, Q
petition from the teachers would be presented to May
or trace requesting the appointments and another
would oe circulated among prominent citizens Of New
| York for their signatures
both petitions when they understood, met with
hearty approval. The Primary Teachers Association
passed resolution favorng the movement and nearly
thousand teachers signed tho petition. Tho Teach
ers Improvement Association divided itself into COM
mees and the committees after school hours went to
all parts of the city to call those whose names
would add weight to their petition and the cause it
advocated. Nearly many men were
among the signers, who included, among others, the
| following:
MT: Archibald Alexander Mrs William f. Dodge Julia
4. Walker Mrs. Abram : HsSitt Felix Adler he REV.
% s hsT S and % cGT Il raHs csp
SSs S%sS MOTScs carl
MG NGsS nS 6aT, Mrs MSEs ss 81 % CHEF gs
W. Pinchot ''''N'' N''' 80 ''''' '"'''''
Many of the sgners also interested themselves in
sending personal letters to Mayor Grace urging him
! to appoint women.
I,
the movement did not meet with entire favor, and
soon as it was that the action was in earnest
strong protest made by of the commissioners
against such appointments 1t was said that women
conld mpsh nothing in the Board of Education
that men do quite as well even better while
their presence in body that was OF legislative char
acer might reard business and make things unpeas-
ant to all concerned The women continued their
work undaunted and last Saturday committee of five
assembled in the Mayors Office and presented the re-
suit OF their labors in formidable petitions. Tho
name OF DR.. Mary Putnam jacob suggested in
these Mrs jacob had consented to serve If she
should receive the appointment and what was TAR more
important. to permit her name TO he used in the can
vass. All other names were withdrawn IN her benalf.
in view of the experience of Mrs. jacob in public
matters. The delegation that called on Mayor Grace
said that IL was desired that more than one woman
| shoulc be appointed as one would be placed in an
embarrassing position in the board. Mrs. Joseph II.
Choate and Miss Grace II. Dodge mentioned
willing to serve if appointed.
At the last moment, it said yesterday Mrs.
Jacob found that she would be unable to give the
time that would be needed for her duties in the board,
and Dr. Jacob. her husband disked the idea OF her
accepting 1t when there were so many private
demands on her attention. Mrs Agnew's name was
then suggested she was consulted and consented to
serve
When the appointn ents arrived at the Board of
Education there than usual interest in them
The oDby in the board room filled with teachers.
most of them women and among them several of the
members of the Teachers Mutual Improvement Com
mtee who had originated the mGv emcnt. None of
them knew what Mayor Grace had done and only
rumprs had reached the members of the Board Prcsi
dent Simmons announced communication from the
May or and Clerk McMullin reat the appointments
There we're seven in all, fvo besides those of Mrs.
Agnew and Miss Dodge; namely Henry H. Sprague
aud Henry Schmitt who were re-apponted, and
Samuel NJ. Purdy E. Walter Webb and Randolph
Guggenheimer.
Mr. Spragre is lawyer doing business at No. 90
Wall-st He was originally appointed last spring to
fiji out the term OF President Walker on his resgna
ton. Mi. Schmtt is also lawyer and Is connected
with the law firm OF Albeit s. Fuller. The senior
member of bis firm is the Governor OF New-Jersey:
Mr. Guggenhemcr is member OF the law finn OF
Guggenhem & Untermeyer. +. Walker Wetb is O
broker and brother of General Alexander s. Webb,
president of the College OF the City OF New York.
Samuel NJ. Purdy has connected with the schools
for several years Trustee in the Iwenty-fourth
Ward where he lives. lie is lawyer and does busi-
at No. 27 Iine-st Tho commissioners whose
terms expired are David Wetmore Frederick w.
Devoe. Gustav Schwab, Gilbert II. Crawford and
Moses b. Perkins. Each of these has served more
than term in that body and they were among the
oldest and most experienced members There Is no
salary attached to the office of commissioner. The
Board of Education is comprised OF twenty one mem
bers and its meetings arc held the first and third
Wednesdays of the month at p m. They usually
occupy about two hours but when there IL stress OF
business the members have been known to remain In
session until nearly midnight. Ii was remarked yes
terday that there would have to no change III the
sessions and that a least would be one OF the changes
brought about by The Board appoints all
the principals OF schools but not the teachers these
appointed by the trustees OF the wards, but the
trustees themselves are appointed by the Board OF
md .11aol
for the schools voted by the board; all repairs
and buildings and the purchase OF sites are
directed by it. The body is divided into committees
each With a special department IN Its charge.
TIE comments of the commissioners yesterday were
in affected by the retirement of the old
members OF the Board who had not been rcappointed
and great regret expressed at losing them.
President Simmons said in regard to the appoint |
ment o. women Was not in favor OF such appoint
ments, not because have any objection to the pres
cnce of women among us, but cannot say that see
how any benefit is to be derived from their presence
The members will never be lacking in the courtesy |
due to ladies' bu. fear that they do not come into the
Board with full of all the work that they viii
have to perform. 1t is not question OF sentiment OF
Of emJtion. but of pure business and plenty OF It,;
DE Witt }. Seigman was well pleased with the dp- |
pointments. I" | AN delighted with then, said he |
" Both are splendid women and the appointment OF
Miss Dodge means what we have been trying to get
at for some timc-indusrisl education"
Henry L. Sprague. who Ia Que OF the youngest anu
hahdsomest rbers pulled at bis nuslacne IN M ter
" Not nat object to he ladies themselves | know OF
them as excellent women but the idea-weIl, Will |
wait and see how IL works"
William Wood. the Oldest member OF the Board, said
ii Mt hh was oI tho theory OF woDans work
IN the Board OF Education II did not mean that they
nad M anything TO DO with rotcs He thought highly OF
Miss Doge ana Mrs Agnew but fot that the innovation
WAS strange and II would take Little time 10 get u.ot
TO It, Commissioners Galloway. who is sylcepresdenG OF
the Mhniiaan Railway C3mI any, said IN answer 10 an
inquiry OF his views think that thr,lades viii lind
aer dates rather unpleasant There IL a good deal OF
al tho meetings. When the Board has late session
the husbands brothers OF the ladies will have to
TO take them home There arc - good many things to
ments."
Commissioner Devoe. who Is one OF those whose term
expires with this year been favor OF the appoint
nent OF women III school affairs since the movement
began to he talked Of Their Influence, lie s8ld where
So many OF their teachers and children are nier-
.sr cannot fail TO bo exerted Tor the good OF the whole
school system.
Hosea b. Perkins is warm advocate Of the charge: