Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-16
THE SCHOOL BOARD BILL.
Citizens who Favor and Oppose L,
Before the District Committee.

C1ta1enS who Favor and Oppose 1t
Before the District Committee.
The committee of citizens of the District
favoring the passage of the bill for the crea-
ton OF board of school trustees for the Dis
tr1ct OF Columbia, and Gen. Birney, opposed TO
the bill, had hearing before the House District
committee this morning. Representative citi-
zens were present in favor of the bill. Among
them were DR.. Reyburn president of the citi-
Gems COMMITTEES; Gen. Hovey, Rev. DR.. Bart
lett, Rev. Mr. Steele, Rev. DR.. Butler. Rev. Dr.
Faunce, Rev. DR.. Fount, Rev. DR.. Kent, ex-
Commissioner Dent, Gen. Wells, DIR. Culver
Mr.. Williamson, Mr.. Fenwick, Mr.. Solomon
Brown ana several Others Of note.
DIR. REYBURN
introduced the committee. He said the COM
mittee had no feeling against the Commission
ers, and merely appeared in support of what
they thought good proposition. They asked
for no change. but for the continuance of the
power In the school trustees, which resided in
On closing he introduced Gen. Hovey, who
read the bill, explained its operation, and
heartily endorsed 1t. He explained that what
the bill provided for was what the citizens had
always understood to be the law.
some members of the committee thought the
trustees ought to have the handling of the
money, TOO, instead of the Commissioners.
LIKED THE BILL.
Mr.. Heard, Of Missouri, liked the bill and
Mr.. Hemphill thought If the citizens were sat
isfied the committee ought not to object The
reason for having twenty-four trustees instead
of nine was asked, and Gen. Hovey explained
that with but one man in a district that man
might not be a good one. With three the people
would be more directly represented and the
much greater.
Representative Rowell asked why not have a
generai board and not appoint for each of the
districts. In answer IL was urged that the Dis
trlct having a fion this W the "
way 10 In any way reach the people and give
them voice in school matters.
REV. DIR. BARTLETT
was then introduced to the committee, but be-
fore he proceeded with his remarks Mr.. Comp
ton, of Maryland, asked of Gen. Hovey what
the powers of the superintendent of the schools
were. Gen. Hovey said he did not have the
power OF appointment, but he conducted exami-
natlons and certified teachers. His duties were
most important. No one was appointed teacher
without an examination.
Rev. DR.. Bartlett then proceeded. He ap-
proved of the bill, and thought all citizens of
the District favored it. 1t changed only very
slightly the law as thew understood it. 1t lett
the power with the Commissioners. 1t left all
the money in their hands. He said that, de-
prlVed OF all representation citizens of the
District are, to take all power out o. the hands
pose to do, would take from them all
voice in this most important matter.
The people-he thought the committee could
speak for majority of the best people of the
District-were opposed to the effort OF the Com
missiOnerS
TO RUN THE SCHOOLS AS THEY WOULD THE
POLICE
or the fire departments. What they asked was
for the authorized continuance of the system
under which the schools had grown to their
present high position-the system which was
In force In the leading cities in the country. He
said the schools have been and should be
s Tseiy ina managed in the District Congress-
among the best in the world
MIR. Davenport, of New York. suggested that
he would go to New York or Chicago and not
come to Washington for his model
Dr. Bartlett replied that the people of the
country thought they had the wisest men in
that as the schools of the District of Columbia
were under their control they ought to be most
wisely managed and best.
GEN. BIRNEY AGAINST THE BILL.
Gen. Birney spoke in opposition to the bill,
but did hot have his full time, and the commit
tee decided to extend the hearing to one hour
on Thursday, to be equally divided between
both sides, three Citizens to represent the rest
The Urgency Deficiency ApprOpria-
tiOnS Bill.
AMENDMENTS OF LOCAL AND GENERAL IN
TEREST.
The House appropriations committee to-day
completed the consideration of the Senate
amendments TO the urgent deficiency bill, add
Ing thereto an amendment providing an ap-
preparation of $4,000, to be expended to pre-
vent the flooding of the water works tunnel at
Washington, D. c., until a further appropria-
ton for the completion of the work can be
made They appropriate $4,000 instead of
the $4,000 proposed by the Senate. This
covers all expenditures which received the APP
prevail of Gen. Hancock, and the undertaker's
bill, subject to approval of the Secretary OF War
They concur in the Post Office deficiency
amendment, to pay rent OF Capitol Hill SUBJ
station, dc. They disagreed to the provision
for the signal service cable and the So, 900 con.
tingent expenses of Senate and repairs to Freed
mans hospital water tank.