Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-12
MR.. COOK WILL STAY.
The School Board Defers to the Wishes
Of Colored Citizens.

Oh ColOreu Cftize1S.
A REPORT on TIE MATTER ADOPTED LAST MIGHT
TEE connrrxE THINKS A CONSOLIDATION OF
OFFICES WOULD HAVE GOOD REsuLrs-rHK
PAT OF TEACHERS.
The proposition to place both white and
eolored schools under one superintendent,
which has caused much discussion among col
orsd citizens, came up at the meeting Of the
school board last night, when the committee
ON high and normal schools made its report on
the investigation which it had. at the request
Of the board, undertaken. The report stated
that the committee had given careful consid-
srstion to the supplemental report of Trustee
Jno. r. Francis as a member of the special
committee appointed to investigate the late
controversy between Profs. Browne and Car
dozo, Of the high school CT the seventh and
eighth divisions, suggesting for consideration
the advisability Of consolidating the manage
ment of all the public schools Of the District of
Columbia under one superintendent and one
assistant superintendent; and that they have
also duly considered the letters Of Superin-
tendent Geo. F. T. Cook, dated November IL,
1855, referring TO the supplemental report, as,
also, to the relations Of the author of the re-
port to the Bro&ne-Cardozo matter and to the
writer.
As to 90 much Of the letter of Superintendent
Cook as relates to the Brewne-Cardozo case,
and 70 the relations betwesn Trustee Francis
and himself, the committee are unanimously
OF the opinion that, waving any question as to
its propriety, it is wholly foreign to the ques-
tion presented by the supplemental report,
and calls for neither consideration nor action
at the hands of either the committee or the
board
With regard to the measure suggested by
the supplemental report, the committee incline
to the opinion that q union of the schools
under one responsible head, securing unity Of
direction, OF provision and of advancement,
and common participation in the benefits Of
improved and progressive methods and inter-
changed experiences, would be highly bene-
fetal to the colored schools, provided such q
union could be effected with the cordial con-
currence Of all the classes Of our citizens in
terested in the matter and affected by it.
such union has for years existed between
the white and colored schools of the
sixth division, and. according to the best
advices obtained by the committee. with highly
beneficial results to the colored schools No
friend of these schools. acquainted with their
history. needs and progress, would, we are
satisfied. advocate or willingly consent to their
separation. And, without intending any refec-
ton upon the high personal or professional
character Of either Of the superintendents un-
der the present system, the committee are un-
able to doubt that
SIMILAR HARMONIOUS
union Of the city schools under one manage
ment, if fe visible, would be attended with sira-
liar benefits. While. however, a considerable
number of highly intelligent and thoughtful
colored men of our city favor such union. it
would seem, from our best advices and infor-
nation, to be unacceptable to the majority of
our colored citizens; and. in view of that fact,
the committee are not disposed to recommend
any action in that direction at this time for
two reasons. In the first place. while the sys-
tenn OF representative government does not
obtain to any considerable extent in the Dis
trlct OF Columbia we are of opinion that in SO
far as the interests of its citizens
are committed to the hands of persons Sc
lected from among themselves, their wishes
should be consulted and duly regarded; and,
In the second place, the cordial support, ap-
prevail. and goodwill of the parents 10 factor
In the efficiency and success of our schools of
even greater importance than those which.
under other conditions. it is believed would
unquestionably result from the measure sug-
gested by the supplemental report. The COM
mittee are of opinion, therefore. thai a united
effort upon the part of the board and the school
officials to still further increase and extend the
efficiency and success of the schools under the
present system Of superintendent will, per-
haps; best promote their welfare at the present
time
The report was signed by Trustees Darling
ton, Ross and Francis. When Secretary pro
tenn: Gregoryhad concluded reading tae report
hoped to have received more advice and help
from responsible colored people than had come
TO him. He was somewhat disappointed. he
said. but he was none the less emphaticslly
favorable to the continual improvemt Mt Of the
school system, especially SO far as it affected
colored schools. On motion OF Mr.. Mitchell.
the report was adopted. The vote was
unanimous.
THE PAY OF TEACHERS.
The committee on teachers and janitors re-
ported adversely On the recommendations pre-
viously made respecting the promotion Of GER
tain teachers. Many other teachers" SAYS the
report, I'm the public schools have the same
claim to increased salaries as the teachers
in the fifth division. The existing appropria-
creases in salaries and the proposed promo
tons would. therefore, be Determinations
which, in the opinion Of your committee. would
be unwise." The same committee also made
report on the communications of NJ. Frances
Harmon and A. L. Sargent, teachers in the sec
ond division. relative to inequalities III the sal
aries Of teachers employed in the same grade.
The statements made in the communications
were found to be true, and the conditions COM
planned Of were the result Of longevity" rule
and Of its suspension by the school board. The
report concludes: 1.-The conditions to which
this subject pertains are indeed unfortunate,
and. In the sense that the teachers do not re-
ceive what they ought to receive, work an in
justice, but it is found that no injustice has
been done by the discriminating act of this
board. Your committee finds that, unless in
creased appropriations, free from embarrassing
and hurtful restrictions respecting their use,
are made for the pay Of teachers, It will be i'm
possible to pay them in accordance with the
present schedule of salaries, even without
longevity increase; that it will be necessary to
reduce the pay Of teachers now in maximum
classes. Your committee recommends, there
fore, an early consideration Of this subject by
the board"
The same committee, which had, in obedience
to q previous resolution, investigated the
charges that certain teachers were receiving
less salary than that of the grades in which
they teach, reported that the only case is that
OF Mr.. Strong, OF the third division, who is
teaching seventh grade at q salary less than
the minimum pay for that grade The COM
mittee found. however, that Mr.. Strong is
satisfed with his position and the emolument.
A communication was received from Miss c.
L. Garrison. in which she complained of irreg-
ularity in the grading of teachers salaries,
and she instanced couple Of cases within her
own knowledge.
Mr.. Darlington, after the letter was read,
said he hoped it would not be referred to any
committee. 1t was q very frivolous complaint
The matter had already been explained to the
teacher. He moved that the communication
Pc referred to the supervising principal OF the
nrst district with instructions Ito explain the
matter to the teacher
CHANGES AMONG TEACHERS.
Mr.. Cornish, Of the eighth division, sub
mitted the following Recommendation 70 the