Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-10

The SehS0l Beard Meets end Rtnally
Concludes - Transact Business.

The sehsel Board Meets ana Rtually
Concludes - Transact Business.
SOME OF THE MKNDKRs Hint AT PROCEEDINGS |
10 TEST THE POWERS OF rHR BoARp-rHE
CIGARETTE QUESTION prscUssEp-A PRO-
POSED CONFERENCE WITH THE COMMISSION |
Frs.
When Messrs. Birney, Curtis, Brooks and
Smith, OF the school board, met at the Frank
lin building last evening no communication
had been received from the Commissioners, rs
was expected, definitely prescribing the powers
OF the trustees, rs understood by the Commits
sioners. The members present were about TO
adjourn because there was no quorum, when
Mr.. Smith stopped them by saying, 81 want 70
know what am and where am. Think IL
important, SO far as the school interests are
concerned, and SO far as our self-respect Is con-
cerned, to have some settlement made OF this
question" He suggested that the secretary be
sioners and request them to advise the trustees
OF their status.
Mr.. BirDey stated that committee, of which
pointed to confer with the Commissioners, and
he understood that the Comm issioners had
notified that committee that they would send
TO the board set OF regulations
lowed
Mr.. smith asked how the board could settle
Mr.. Brooks suggested that It might be done
by quo warranto proceeding.
Mr.. Smith asked what would happen II the
Commissioners appointed a teacher and the
board refused to approve the pay-rolls.
Mr.. Curtis suggested that this was question
MIR. Birney remarked that practically the
board was not strong enough to light the Com
missioners, who could revoke the appoint
ments OF the trustees.
Mr.. Smith said the Commissioners would In
that case have to appoint other trustees.
might not hold office long enough 70 try the
Mr. smith did not think the Commissioners
trial Of such question by the courts.
Mr. Birney did not think II would be good for
the schools to go intosuch q trial.
Mr.. Smith did not think the present condi-
ton OF uncertainty good for the schools.
Mr.. Birney thought the committee should
continue to press the Commissioners for dec
Mr.. Smith expressed his unwillingness to con-
tinue coming TO the meeting OF the board and
Mr.. Birney, referring to absent members,
said he thought If parties refused 10 come and
perform their duties the Commissioners would
Mr.. Brooks thought such action on the part OF
the Commissioners would be unfair SO long as
they failed to define, as they promised, the
The board was about to adjourn when DR..
Purvis arrived and completed a quorum.
THE BOARD ATTENDS TO BUSINESS.
DIR. Purvis at once raised the question of the
powers Of the board by offering a resolution
granting leave of absence to Miss Hawks
worth, a teacher in the county schools. DIR.
Purvis said the Commissioners told him that
in the absence of further advice from them
the board should go on just as they had before.
Mr.. Smith was in favor of suspeuding legisla-
ton until some conclusion respecting the pow
ers OF the board was reached.
Mr.. Curtis, on the other hand, thought the
quickest way to bring the question TO u settle
ment was for the board to go on just as they
had in the past.
Mr.. Brooks thought the best thing the trus-
tees could do for the public schools was TO suffer
the indignity put upon them by the Commits
sioners letter and go on with their work.
Mr.. Smith said that he was advised that the
commissioners had written q letter inviting
the board to meet them in conference Saturday.
He therefore suggested that they let these mat
tiers go until after this conference. After a long
discussion, the board practically decided to go
on with business by adopting DIR. Purvis' reso-
luton. The resignation of Miss Ida Howgate,
NTH division, was accepted, and Miss Catharine
froctor was appointed In her place.
THE CIGARETTE QUESTION.
Mr.. Birney, from the committee on rules sub
mitted report favoring the resolutions offered
some time'ago by DIR. Purvis urging legislation
to prohibit the sale of liquors and cigarettes to
children of school age. This resolution was
combatped by Messrs. Curtis and Smith, as deal
ing with a matter not within The province Of
voting against 1t. MIR. Curtis, who was in the
chair, did not vote.
Mr.. Birney offered q resolution, which was
referred to the committee on text books recon-
mending the adoption for use in the schools of a
tex book on physiology which treated of the
effects OF alcohol upon the system. Mr.. Blrney
also reported that he had Inquired about the
Chinaman who. according to the letter of Char
lOtte Smith, had made 81, 900 selling cigarettes
to boys, and could find no such Chinaman.
A CONFERENCE ON SATURDAY.
The Commissioners have addressed q letter
to the president of the school board in which
they say they have concluded that It is not
well at this time in the school year to disturb
the relations between pupils and teachers by
making any change in the assignments OF Miss
division. The Commissioners then repeat pas
last giving the view OF the attorney
of the District as to the meaning OF the
words ''care and management of the
public schools, and add: This language of the
attorney, the Commissioners wish il distinctly
understood, they adopt as defining and limit
as forming the basis upon which the schools, In
their opinion, must be conducted under the
provisions of the act of Congress referred TO.
In their letter of December 3Oth the Commits
sioners further say that they propose without
delay to cause such regulations to be prepared
and issued from this office as in their Judgment,
in which they will be glad to be aided by you,
are best for the public schools of the District,
with a view OF carrying into effect the proposal
aid OF your judgment and practical knowledge
of matters relating TO the schools, the Commits
siOners would respectfully invite you TO a con-
ference with them on saturday next at one
O'Clock p. M, If convenient to YOU"