Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-27
CONSIDERED BY CITIZENS.
The Public School Question Discussed
at q Mass.Meeting.

| THE COMMISSIONERS PLAN OF SCHOOL MANAGE
MENr OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES BY JUDGE
CARTIER, DRs. CHESTER AND DoMER, MEssRs.
WOLF, GIVEN, CLAGETT AND OTHERS.
The meeting of citizens at the National Rifles
armory last evening to consider the public
school question was better attended than those
who called the meeting expected, on account of
the very unfavorable condition of the weather.
The hall was well filled. Among those present
were Chief Justice Cartier, John I. Given, Simon
Wolf, Rev. DIR. s. Domer, DIR. Robert eyburn,
Thos Somerville, Jesse B.Wilson, w. H. Clagett
A. NJ. Clapp, W. C. Dodge, Rev. G. o. Little, H.
n. Copp, j. o. Wilson, VIM. NJ. King, q. Y.
Alice, a. c. Richards, Dorsey Clagett, ]. NJ.
Wilson, Rev. DIR. John Chester, c. p. Culver, A.
Hart, A. p. Clarke, b. G.. Lovejoy, John A.
Baker, G. f. Hovey, DR.. Chas Allen, Rev. C. G..
M MSin,o oh Wm 6 6rme Rr esTs Inc
Brooks, Il. Goldschmid, Robert w. Fenwick,
VIII A: Gordon, w. H. stephenson, George
VIM H. Baum, Win. NJ. Meioy, VIM. Ii.
Browne, and JnO. III. Brooks. A number of the
public school teachers were also in the audience
DIR. Reyburn called the meeting to order, and
upon his nomination Chief Justice Cartier was
chosen 10 preside.
CHIEF JUSTICE CARRIERS REMARKS.
Chief Justice Cartier, upon taking the chair.
said it gave him pleasure to meet those present,
and especially as he hoped they might do some
good in preserving the integrity of pub
lie schools. 1t was that consideration that
had brought him there, and he believed that
was one thing above all others of which the
citizens OF Washington were proud. They had
their thorough sanitary protection, so far as
sewers were concerned of their parks, their trees
and OF their population But among all
these jewels of pride there was none so
brilliant their common schools The citi-
of the District of Columbia who had re-
sided here twenty years had seen them de-
tn hni
present fitness, had witnessed their great
achievements. They had silently and quietly
worEanhoOd, with better education than
the colleges furnished fifty years ago.
1t was to protect this institution that they were
there assembled. The inquiry that suggested
ways of these schools? Has there been any
failure in their m ssion or any threatened fail
ure? Why divorce their custody from those to
the manner born, their natural guardians. Why
separate this institution from the people and
the municipality? No answer can be given to
these questions. No political guardianship can
thirty charged with political duties can man
age these schools so well as the citizens who had
an earnest and deep interest in their welfare.
What he had to say was, "Let these schools
alone, and let them alone in the keeping of
their natural custodians.' That ought to be
the cry OF every citizen. These children cry for
IT, the men OF the next generation call for it,
Don't pollute the system or mix it up with any
thing else. A common school can't take the
vi
it, He did not intend to make speech; he in
tended only to thank them for the honor OF
choosing him to preside, and to congratulate
them that there was enough of common school
virtue in the community to protest against u
change Sucn as was proposed.
Mr.. j. {. Dulin was elected secretary.
a committee of five to draft resolutions was
appointed as follows: Reginald Fendall John A.
Baker. John L. Given, VIM. III. Clagett and
VIM. a. Gordon.
THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE.
q Dr
said that the citizens committee which had
hitherto acted proposed to surrender its charge
now to the citizens. They had called the meet
ing for the purpose of giving every one oppor-
tunity OF taking part in this matter and of show
ing that this Was not a movement on the part
of the members of the committee only. DIR.
Reyburn then briefly explained the measure
now pending in Congress to create board of
school trustees of twenty-four members with
specified powers. The bill. he said, provided
for maintaining and continuing form OF school
government which had been approved here.
Mr. Dulin then read the bill now pending in
Congress.
DIR. CHESTER'S VIEWS.
Rev. DIR. John Chester, of the Metropolitan
Presbyterian church, was called out. He said
as he understood it they were assembl as law
abiding citizens, not TO contend for revolution,
but to contend against a revolution which was
sought to be precipitated upon them. The very
fact of SO large gathering on such q stormy
night showed that citizens realized very clearly
the situation and the Importance of protesting.
The measure proposed by the Commissioners
was an experiment.. The public schools of this
city were not an experiment. They were an
assured success. When the doctors begin to eX-
pertinent upon a sound man, the man generally
dies. He opposed to the Commissioner
measure, becaused it savOred of GENERALIZATION.
They were educating the youth of this country
in ideas opposed to Capitalization. Now it was
proposedj to introduce Capitalization in the
management of the schools themselves. This
Capitalization of power took away the very
strength and utility of our common school sys-
tenn. One ofthe strongest argumentsfOr the trus-
came in contact with people in their districts
He held that they were doing that night O
favor to the Commissioners, who had enough
TO do with other mItters relating to the local
government. They had been placed in office
not to educate our people, but to govern. AS
well might they attempt to regulate the pro-
LESSONS and trades TO legisate for the pub
tic schools. He was satisfied that the public
wanted the common schools of the District con-
Quoted on the old and successful system.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The committee resolutions having re-
turned, Mr.. FendalI submitted as it's report
the following:
THAT the chairman be requested to transmit
to the two houses of Congress the following
meeting: !. 1t is better to intrust the manage
ment OF the public schools to board of citi-
the commissioners. Since the organization of
the first school board in the District of Column
bia. more than eighty years ago. by the cleo
ton OF Thomas Jefferson, then President of the
United states, as chairman, down to the 3Oth
day of December last, it has always been the
usage to intrust the management OF the public
schools to q committee of citizens, generally
called trustees, specially selected for the pur-
pose. Under this usage the schools have been
kept in sympathy with the people, and have
come to be regarded by them as "a most Cher
ished institution. To set aside this usage of
three-quarters OF century and abolish the
school board as a governing body, and substi-
tute therefor the Commissioners, is, of course q
revolution and an experiment which IS not
called for now On all sides the excellence of the
public schools is conceded, and is none more
FULLY than by the Commissioners and eX-Con-
missioners, as appears by their statements be-
fore committees of Congress, and it would there
fore seem TO he the part OF wisdom to continue
reached.
y. Local representation on the school board
has, according to the school division. been
obligatory upon the appointing power and has
always been respected. except by the late board
Of commissioners; and this exception proved
unsatisfactory. The members OF the school
board should continue 10 be selected from the
Residents OF the several school divisions
3. In city OF 2UO,O 900 inhabitants having
10000 children In the public schools, twenty
four school trustees. is not u large number
Many much smaller cities-WOrce i'm
Massachusetts, for instance-have each this
number OF trustees.
4. The school board should have the selec-
ton and appointment of all the officers
teachers and janitors by which the schools are
managed, including the superintendents; and
the approval OF sites and plans for school
buildings, and should be required to COM
1aunlcatc To the Commissioners any informa-
hs.k-. a.