Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-08

unusually long session. There were several
reasons for the long session if not the high
temperature. The lists Of teachers who are to
direct the mental training of the children of
the city for the next year was approved by the
board. The names Of the teachers appear in
another column. The lists, however, do not
include the name Of Mrs. Susan J. Peters as
teacher in the sixth division. Her case gave
rise to a somewhat prolonged discussion
on a question that has been before
the board several times in former years,
namely, as to the powers Of the
bord in exercising discretion as to the APP
pointment of graduates of the Normal Schools
in preference to all others. Special attention
was called to Mrs. Peters case by two lengthy
communications, one from Mrs. Peters herself
and the other from her uncle, Mr.. NJ NJ. Hol-
land. In these communications il was stated
that DR.. ShaGd, who was recently appointed by
the Commissioners IN place Of Pref. Gregory.
resigned, and who took his seat last evening for
the first time, had informed Mrs Peters that
he would not reappoint her az teacher for the
ensuing year on the ground that such action
would be contrary to law. The menicrialists
stated that Mrs. Peters is graduate of the
Normal School Of the seventh and eighth di-
visions and had taught fol seven years with
satisfaction to the supervising PRINCIPAL and
the superintendent. She resigned in 1890, SIS
required by the rule relating to married women
the enactment of this rule married Mr.. H. r.
Peters, then principal of the Mott building.
He died in December last and IT. June last,
within twelve months following her resigna-
ton, she was reinstated as teacher in the sixth
division. Mr.. Holland adds, after reciting these
facts. that Mrs Peters now comes mp with the
other teachers for reappointment for the ensu-
ing school year. But he states DR. Shadd de-
cided that her reappointment would be in viO-
latiOn Of the rule OF the board giving preference
To nat Of fba Col of no.
enth and eighth divisions. Mr.. Holland, as
also Mrs. Peters, urges that she is clearly eli
gible for reappointment and asks that the board
intervene to prevent an injustice being doEe.
DIR. sHADDs POSITION.
In accordance with the rule of the board
these communications were referred to Dr.
Shadd, the trustee for the sixth division, for
his action. DIR. Shadd, however, had evidently
had his attention called to the case of Mrs. Pc
At any rate, after the routine business had
been disposed of he made a statement Of the
grounds Of his action. In beginning he said
that he hesitated to address the board, as this
was his first appearance as a member. He
thought it was more becoming to be a listener.
But he had been obliged to perform an official
act soon after his appointment, which evidently
did not meet with the approval of some. He
wished it to be understood that in doing what
he had done he had been actuated solely by a
sense Oh uuty. II ne nau CONSUMED MS personal
preferences he would certainly have reap
pointed Mrs. Peters, whom he knew
personally and highly respected. He
found himself confronted by law
and the issue was forced upon him to act in
accordance with the law in the line of his
personal feeling. He had decided to conform
his official action to the law. He then read
that portion of the act OF the Legislative as
sembly of June %, 1878, as given in. the follow
ing order Of the District Commissioners Of July
g. 1899
Ordered: That graduates Of the normal
schools of this District must have preference in
all cases when appointments of teachers for the
public schools are to be made. (Act legisla-
tive assembly, June %, 1872
That In case Of a surplus Of the graduates Of
former year being unemployed at the grsdua-
ton of the next succeeding year, the graduates
so on under this rule.
That teachers heretofore employed in viola
ton of the rule prescribed by the legislative
act above cited should not be re-employed dur
ing the present year, unless all of the Normal
School availables have been exhausted"
THE LAW MANDATORY.
DIR. Shadd said that it was clear to him that
the law and the order Of the Commissioners
based on the law was mandatory upon the
members of the board and that it was illegal TO
appoint teachers until the Normal School
graduates had received appointments. With
this xiaw If the law he co,iId do notb;,o oIao
thar he bad dove and he ras,ad III. oa.a -.
tbsra II tha bod or Nh. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. D =.
e, 10 ravsrss b;s act;on n. 80 cn',r.n n,s',S
snbro;, ~ "a ~'' "Oui"
MR. rHAfERs VIEWS OF THE LAW.
1t was pointed out by Mr.. Thayer that the
construction of the law "a explained by DR.
sbadd x.s mot that which the ho.rd had h..,
-
acuhs upon unoer ao'ice iroin Tue Ia" once
OF the District Commissioners He referred to
letter which he had received from Mr. j. j.
Darlington, an ex-trustee, In which the latter
said that this same question had come mp be-
fore the board while he was trustee. 1t was
then referred by the District Commissioners to
their attorney, who at first held that Normal
School graduates must be preferred to all
others. The order Of the Commissioners quoted
above. Mr.. Thayer said. was based on this
opinion. Then when Mr.. Paul, the principal
of the High School, died. the attention of
the Commissioners was called to the fact that
under this construction of the act OF the legisla-
tive assembly it would be necessary to appoint a
Normal School graduate to that position as
well as to several other equally unsuitable.
The attorney for the District Mr.. Davis, gave
the matter very careful consideration. and his
opinion was furnished to the board and has
been their guide since. Mr.. Thayer read the
opinion of Mr.. Davis, which held in effect that
II ~ mao oeeh ,ue ihenhoh Vi Ihe ieglsmlure
III Srhnol aradns,.. ~ dpniJ h, y. N ,
guage to express this intention. The ianguaDe
actually used is far different II merely 70