Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-14
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE SCHOOL BILL DEBATE.
District Day Wasted i'm the House.

THE SCHOOL BILL DEBATE.
District Day Wasted i'm the House.
HOW THE PENDING MEASURE WAS FOUGHT By Mr.
HOPKINS AND HIS FOLLOWERS, AND ABLY DE-
PENDED By MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT Committee
AND OTHERS.
The first District day in the House was wasted
yesterday through the efforts OF Mr.. Hopkins and
a lew followers, who opposed the school board
DILL After their 1nefectual effort to convince the
House that there was no popular demand for the
Dill, and that 1T was merely a scheme of certain
men who wantedpOsitions under the District, and
VINO wanted particularly to get the place occupied
by Mr.. Powell, they resorted to flibustering, thus
| consuming the whole time.
After Mr.iHopkins had finished most savage
| attack upon the BILL representing it as merely a
proposition to increase the number Of school trus-
tees,
MR.. DINGLEY ASKED SOME POINTED QUESTIONS
10 bring the House back to the true purpose Of the
DILL Before the gentleman sits down." Mr. Ding
ley said, II would like to have some Information,
point AS understand the gentleman from ILL.,
nOlS, the board OF education in this city under
EXISTING law is merely an advisory board In its
educational management.
Mr.. Hopkins.-I do not understand it in that
way understand there is perfect harmony be-
tween them and the Board of Commissioners.
thing more than an advisory board?
Mr.. Cobb.-That is the general rule.
Mr.. CannOn.-IS not that enough?
Mr.. Dingley.-That does not constitute ordinarily
the powers OF board OF education. 1t is proposed
10 change that@for board having educational
management. Is that the change proposed7
MI. Hopkins.-Not entirely.
Mr.. Ongey.-But largely so.
Mr.. HOpkfns.-It leaves 1t in some respects as
before. These parties can hire teachers with
the approval OF the commissioners. 1t creates in
no sense an advisory board, but it does in
Mr.. Dingley.-This question of numbers is Of
secondary consideration. want to know what
regard to the board Of education 1t is now simply
an advisory board, and OF no more consequence
UNI, IMAM any other advisory board Does the bill
put INTO The hands OF the board of education as
District.
will state, as the board now exists they exercise
the powers proposed to be placed in
this board OF twenIy-four men. The difference is,
as to render the board more liable to the
creation OF political combinations for selfish
Mi. Dingley-That hardly answers the question,
not III respect to the increase OF number, but as
10 the change in the power Of the board.
Mist M Hopk1p nn can not satisfy the gentleman
anu let MIN examine the law for himself.
MR.. BARBOUR sToUTLY DEFENDS THE DISTRICT CON-
MITTEE AND THE SCHOOL BILL.
Mr.. Barbour said that he understood Mr.. Hop
kins to say that this movement had it's intention
and animus in affecting the present super1nten-
dency OF the public schools OF the District. Now,
Sir desire to say as chairman Of this committee
and as being somewhat cogn1zant OF the proceed
mgS In reference to the District Of Columbia that
no such purpose has ever been manifest so Tar as
1me chairman OF any gentleman upon that CON-
that sa6ect and we knew m Is
for gentlemen to get up and impeach the motives
man OF the committee or the committee itself is
concerned did not mean my language to apply to
them; but had reference to certain lobbyists out
Mr.. BARBOUR have only r1sen, Mr.. Chairman,
TO dlsclalm on my part as chairman Of the COM
as b o. sg6
even know the man who is at present the superin-
tendent OF the public schools In this District.
think, heard In general way that he is repubif-
can. suppose that is the reason you are taking
such an interest In the matter. 1t is enough for
me TO know, without reference to what mans
politics may be, that he is an efficient and faith
ful oflcial and If he is it does not matter whether
he be democrat or republican. His qualiica-
lions and the faithful discharge of his duty are the
only tests would require
SO far as the other remark OF the gentle
man from Illinois is concerned, he continued that
In reference to the people who have appeared in
this thing, only wish to say that this measure
from large and influential bodies Of citizens OF the
District 1t has come before us from people who
have marked interest in the good administration
OF the public school system in this city; from
ministers of the gospel, merchant, business men,
and people generally who interested In the edu-
cation OF their children. They are the people who
came.
Mr.. Springer opposed the bill, speaking of it as
proposition merely TO increase the number Of trus
tees, and opposing that as Unnecessary and not
demanded by the people.
MR.. HEMPHILL ON PUBLIC SENTIMENT IN THE DIS
TRICT m REFERENCE TO THE BILL.
Mr.. Hemphill, OF the District committee said, in
defense Of the bill, that it was simply question
whether or not certain rights which the people Of
this District desire to be put in their own hands
shall be given to them in the management of the
schools, or whether the whole management shall
be fntrusted to the three District Commissioners
In whose selection the people of the District have
no voice. " It has been said" he continued. "that
there have been no complaints against the present
management OF the school system. say the man
who makes such statement must certainly have
lived in this District In state OF dense ignorance
He can neither have spoken to the people or have
| read the newspapers. The committee has been
prominent and intelligent citizens OF the city and
OF the District" He then proceeded to explain in
detail the purpose OF the bill
MR.. CANNON OPPOSES THE BILL
Mr.. Cannon then took the floor in opposition to
the bill. He discaimed any interest in the pres
ent superintendent OF the schools. The question
with him was 0hether Congress should control
the affairs OF the District directly or through the
people OF the District 1--WE have tried both ways"
he said After the people had exercised control OF
the District through legislative body authorized
by Congress for some years, it resulted in very
considerable scandals, and Congress, in its wis
dom, saw proper TO repeal the law and resume d.
rect control" Under this system OF direct control
he thought it wise to divide responsibility little
as possible and TO cOnt1ne the management within
the Commissioners.
ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE
HEARD FROM.
Mr. Grout, as member Of the District commit
tee, repealed the charges that the bill was the
work OF lobbyists to legslate the present superin-
tendent OF schools Gut Of office II such was the
case he said he was not aware OF 1t. 81 am aware
though" he Said 'that there are certain citizens
In this District who interested in this subject
and one OF them IS no less person than the CHIEF
justice OF the supreme Court OF the District. He
has sent TO the chairman OF the committee CON-
municatiOn in which he speaks OF ga memorial
numerOusly signed by citizens OF the District
He speaks of those citizens as ''amOng the best
marks, ST any body OF citizens here Is competent
to represent the wishes OF people in respect TO
the proposed school legislation, and to give a
trustworthy opinion as TO its prOpr1ety and neces
sity at the present time, these memorialiSts are
that body" SO il there be any lobbyists here they
are the most respectable citizens OF this District
headed by the chief Justice OF the District Supreme
Court.
Mr. Hopkins.-I would like to ask the gentleman
whether In that letter the chief justice in terms
approves of this bill.
Mr.. GrOut.-niS language is: 81 take this occa-
sion to renew on behalf OF the citizens committee
our approval OF the school board bill as supported
by your committee" And this statement is signed