Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-31
OF COLORED SCHOOLS.
A Movement Started by the Brown
Cardozo Controversy.

Cardozo Controversy.
A PROPOSITION MADE IN THE SCHOOL BOARD TO
PUT ALL THE SCHOOLS UNDER ONE sUPERIS-
TESDESr-THE RESULT OF THE BRowN-CAR-
Dozo INvEsTIGATIoS-A MEETING OF THE
SCHOOL BOARD LAST EVENING.
The Brown-Cardozo controversy, over which
there has been much excitement in the public
schools ever since the beginning of the school
year, was aired at the meeting of the school
board last night. The board had an audience
consisting Of ex-School Trustees johnson,
Smith, Holland, and others interested in the
coIored schools. The discussion took wide
range, drifting from Messrs Brown and Car
dozo into the whole field Of the management
of the colored schools. Both the teachers
named were retained in their places. An i'm
portant outcome of the investigation was a
proposition to abolish the Office of superin-
tendent of colored schools and place all the
schools under one superintendent.
When the board met last evening Mr.. Cor
nish. from the special committee composed Of
himself, Prof. Gregory and DIR. Francis, the
three colOred trustees, to whom the Brown-
Cardozo matter was referred, submitted the
report of the committee.
This investigation was based on the letter OF
Prof. III. NJ. Brown, requesting that certain
charges preferred against him by Prof. F. l..
Cardozo, principal of the High School of the
seventh and eighth divisions, in a communica-
ton dated July Is, 1888, and addressed to Trus-
tree j. r. Francis, member of the High
School committee. The committee announced
its convictions as follows: Il. That the evidence
fails to substantiate any inefhciency or want OF
ability on the part of MIR. Brown in the per-
Torrance of his duty as teacher in the branches
assigned him. q That there is nothiAg in the
evidence tending in the remotest degree to re-
fleet upon his moral character: but, on the
contrary, his associate teachers, three of whom
are ladies, who were summoned before the
committee, testify to his manly bearing and
gentlemanly conduct in all his official relations
and responsibilities instructor in the school.
The committee also find in the investigation
certain irregularities in the High School which
should receive the attention Of the proper
standing committee, but are of the opinion that
they were not empowered by the resolution I'M
der which the committee appointed to
make any Recommendation looking to the trans
fer or removal of any teacher or teachers.
They are convinced, however, that the best in
terests Of the school require some definite ac-
ton by the trustees but think it matter prop
erly coming under the jurisdiction of the High
and Normal School committee, who under a
clearly-defined rule of the board have charge
of the qualifications of teachers and all matters
concerning the High and Normal Schools. FL
molly, your committee beg leave to submit that
in their judgment they have reached such con-
illusions as are warranted by the facts brought
out in the evidence, correct report of which
was made by the secretary Of the board and is
fled with this report"
NO CHARGES AFFECTING MORAL CHARACTER.
Mr.. Darlington said that the report as it
stood intimated that there were charges against
the moral character of Mr.. Brown made by the
principal, which were not sustained. He asked
whether it was a fact that the principal had
made any such charges. DR.. Francis said that
MIR. CardOZo had made no such charges in his
published letter, but such insinuations were
made. and Mr.. Brown, in his letter asking an
inyestion, referred to such charges.
MIR. Darlington suggested that it was due to
the principal that it be stated in the report
that he made no such charges. Prof Gregory
said the committee would accept any amend
ment to that effect.
wHIrEwAsHED THE WHOLE MATTER.
MIR. irish said it seemed TO him that this re-
port whitewashed the whole matter and re-
ferred it back upon the High School committee
AS he summed it up the committee acquitted
Mr.. Brown and left the High School committee
to investigate DIr. CardozO's efficiency. Mr.
Darlington said he understood that Mr.. Brown
sought to secure the position held by Mr.. Car
dozo, and asked if that was true.
DIR. Francis said that it was true that Mr.
Brown was an applicant for the place. Dr.
Francis. in answer to Mr. Fish said the COM
directed 70 do by the board. 1t had reported
upon the charges made against Mr. Brown As
to the desirability of making any transfers in
the school, he believed that was matter
which should receive the consideration of the
High School committee.
ARRAIGNISG THE MANAGEMENT OF THE coLoREp
SCHOOLS.
Mr.. Fish insisted that it was now proposed
after this committee had expended weeks
in investigation. to have the whole case re-
opened He thought it was due to the board
that this committee should state whether Mr.
CardoZo was, in their Judgment qualified to
hold the relation he did to the schools He
thought the public would be dissatisfied if the
board did not at this meeting, do more than
refer this matter to another committee. This
committee, he said, should tell them, after
their long investigation, their honest convic-
ton. whether Mr.. Cardozo was qualified
to MI the place OF principal, and
dismissed for characterization. Mr.. Fish. dur
ing his remarks. expressed the opinion that
MIR. Brown was guilty of insubordination in
his conduct with reference to his superior. Mr.
Fish, continuing. arraigned the management
OF the colored schools, and said that they were
not up to the standard of the white schools
This he attributed to the fact that the methods
adopted in the white schools for maintaining
and increasing the efficiency of the teaching
corps were not followed. This matter, he said
Brown. The investigation had brought out
the fact that the coiored schools were not doing
what they should do. Discussing Mr.. Browns
case. Mr.. Fisk maintained that a subordinate
officer he should have made his report to the
superintendent if he believed there were irreg-
ularities in the school.
MIR. Darlington said that il the testimony
showed that Mr.. Browns criticisms were prop
erly made and with good purpose he sympa-
thlZed with him, but if the testimony showed
that there was any other motive he agreed
with MIR. Fish that ii was INSTRUMENTATION.
DIR. Francis agreed with Mr.. Fish except in
the statement that the special committee should
pass some judgment on the question of Mr.
Cardozo's capacity. He believed the question
was broader than that. He believed that the
colored schools were not progressive enough
and that a remedy should be applied
Doctor" said Mr.. Fish, '.why not come
out and say what the remedy lisp"
II don't wish" said Dr. Francis, hesitatinp
:" to make any attempt unless believe that we
are to be supported in this by the citizens"
Mr.. Darlington said that after two months
Of investigation it was undesirable to leave this
High School still to be torn up by the dissen-
sions between two principal officers. He
thought this committee that had examined the
facts should tell them whether Mr.. Browns
charges were made only with good purpose
TO further the interests Of the school or whether
the charges had not been made in Connection
with and to further the effort made by Mr.
Brown to succeed Mr.. Cardozo.
DIR. FRANCIS COMES OUT.
DIR. Francis then submitted the following as