Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-09
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
WhSe Trustees and Retiring Trustees
Think Of the Comniss toners. Plan
Mr.. SMITH DOES NOT APPROVE II.


81 do not approve OF the Commissioners let
ter at al, >" observed MR.James II. Smith, whose
resignation as member of the board has recently
been accepted. al am of the opinion that the
powers and duties of the board should remain
as they are now, with the exception that the
trustees should be relieved from the duty Of ap-
proving acquisitions for fuel. A I suggested to
Mr.. Webb, some one should be especially desig-
mated for that purpose, and see that the Com
missioners Will ask Congress to authorize the
appointment Of q person to have superintsnd.
ence OF just such matters. In other NJ
spects the present system is q good one and II
gentlemen could be appointed on the board
who would not antagonize each other on gen.
entire board with their personal differences the
management Of the schools would 60 along
Ing to Supervise the IN a.
for instance, think that the Commissioners
are undertaking a duty which they cannot be
bow 1t will work advantageously. The present
system answers the purpose, and the entire
d dn Sns gould be adjusted by appointing
Mr. BROOKS THINKS THE NEW PLAN THE MOST
VICIOUS THAT COULD BE DEVISED.
Trustee John H. Brooks said to q STAR re.
porter when asked what he thought Of the
Commissioner plan Of school government as
elaborated a In their recent letter: ~ think the
vicious that could have been devised; but while
holding to that opinion, I believe that there
must be order and authority for the good Of the
schools, and am therefore willing to obey such
directions as the Commissioners may give.
am desirous OF learning further; however, what
the Commissioners intend, and will ask for q
fuller explanation than il contained In their
letter. have notified the Commissioners that
my resignation Is ready whenever they want
II, but have refrained from precipitately re-
signing out of Difference to the requests of my
irfends IN and out Of the schools, who think that
should undergo personal incCn venience and
dissatisfaction, SO long as it Is not personal dig
grace for the good OF the schools"
MR.. CURTIS WILLING TO GIVE THE C0MHIS-
SIONERS' PLAN TRIAL.
81 am in favor of having the plan proposed
by the Commissioners given q trial." observed
Mr.. WV. Curtis. ut seems to me that 1t will
work well, and while there are some particu-
lars as given in the letter which think could
be modified, the Commissioners have stated
that 1t Is their intention to make such changes
as experience would suggest, and / have no
doubt that the new plan will prove satisfactory.
AS have always maintained, it would be adj
washable to have an entire new board to man.
age the schools under this new arrangement,
and as far as am personally concerned my
resignation Is at the disposal of the Commits
sloners, as they have been informed. AS far as
representing the people of the District is con-
cerned, 1t Is my opinion that the board as now
constituted will be as truly representative as il
1T was constituted of three members from each
district appointed by the Com missioners, who
are themselves appointed by the President and
not elected by the people,"