Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-09
ALL ABOUT TWO TEACHERS.
The School Board Hears q Number of Let
ters and EcpOrfs Read.

| The cases of two tea cheers in the colored d.
vision of the public schools which have at
tracted some attic ntion we're discussed last even
| ing at the regular meeting of the school board.
The singular circumstance. however, was that
| while the merits Of these two cases were pretty
| thoroughly canvasscd not word was said
| by member of the board. The discussion
was conducted entirely by means of
communications addressed or referred to
| the board. Tho two trustees whose action
| in these particulars was either criticised
| or defended-Mr. Bruce and DIR. Shadd-were
| attentive listeners as Mr.. Falck, the clerk of
the board. read the various documents. These
papers were referred to the trustees mentioned
ably be expressed when they make report, If
they ever do, upon the documents submitted.
THE CASE OF MRS. PETERS.
The first case brought to the attention OF the
board was that of Mrs. Peters, whom DIR. Shadd
refused to reappoint teacher for the present
year. She wrote letter to the board stating
that since the last communication the injustice
| which she feared had been committed and she
had not been reaPpointed- She was OF the
opinion that in this matter DIR. Shadd stood
alone and she would esteem 1t a special favor
if the board would inform her whether in the
opinion of the board her reappoIntment would
have been Illegal
This letter was referred to DIR. Shadd, the
trustee OF the division to which Mrs. Peters
formerly belonged.
Mr.. THOMAS OPINION.
Their the secretary read an opinion Of Mr.. s.
I, Thomas, the attorney for the Commissioners
in the Peters case. which had been transmitted
TO the board by the Commissioners
The opinion of Mr.. Thomas is as follows:
Il return you herewith a communication
from Mrs. Susan J. Peters suggesting that the
school trustee of the sixth division (Dr. Shadd)
refuses TO nominate her for q leadership for
the year 1912 on the ground that she was
Illegally upon the rolls OF last year, referred to
this Office for advice on the questions raised by
Mrs. Peters / see nothing to show that Mrs.
Peters was illegally on the rolls last year. She
is Normal School graduate, and has had an
experience of seven years as a teacher in the
public schools. In the spring of 1889 she re-
signed on account of marriage. Shortly after
ward her husband died. and within a year Of
her resignation she was reappolnted a teacher
to I'LL a vacancy in the corps
DIR. Shadd. as understand the case, objects
to Mrs. Peters reappointment, in view of the
order Of the Commissioners entered July %.
1859, with regard to the appointment of gradu-
ates of the normal schools of the District to
teacherhips, which provides that such gradu-
atCs must have preference III all cases where
appointments of teachers Of the public schools
are made His contention is that long as
this order stands it should be observed. The
answer to this position, it seems to me, is the
fact that after the order was passed Mr.. Davis,
who was then counsel of the District. inter-
preted the law, and 1 think correctly, to mean
that graduates of the normal schools would be
given preference in the appointment to teach
erships. all other things being equal There
upon the order was practically abandoned and
the opinion of Mr.. Davis followed.
ION the face of the paper before me see no
legal objection to Mrs. Peters for appointment
to a leadership in the public schools"
By direction of the board the opinion was
placed on the records.
THE CASE OF MISS soMERvILLE.
Then the attention of the board was called to
the case Of Miss Mary Somerville, appointed a
teacher by Mr.. Bruce. Miss Somerville is not
a graduate of the Normal School and this is
one of the reasons that her appointment is con-
sldered to be discrimination against the grad
yates A communication read from DIR.
Purvis, who called attention to an article in
Washington weekly newspaper criticising Miss
SOmervllle's appointment DIR. Purvis said
that he regarded Miss Somerville as an efficient
teacher.
Then followed long communication signed
by James III. Smith and other citizens, in which
the legal status of the colored schools was dis
cussed. The opinion of Mr.. Davis as to the ap-
polntment OF teachers was Endorsed. 1t was
maintained by the petitioners that the appoint
meDt of Miss Somerville rather than Miss Sarah
Il
the law. For if, all other things being equal,
preference Is given. said the petitioners, to
Normal School graduates. then Miss Neale,
and not Miss Somerville, would have received
the place.
This document, as well as Dr. Purvis' letter.
was referred to MIR. Bruce, the trustee of the
division where Miss Somerville is employed.
The board then gave attention to other
matters
STANDING COMMITTEES ANNOUNCED.
The president announced the following
standing committees:
Rules-Messrs- Mitchell. Wood, Bruce.
Ways and means. supplies and accounts
Messrs- Whelpley, Hazen and Cornish.
Buildings. repairs and furniture-Messrs.
Wood. Wilmer and Cornish.
Normal, High School and Scholarships
Messrs- Thayer, Mitchell. Bruce and Whelpley
Teachers and janitOrs-Messrs. Wilmer,
Whelpley and Shadd.
Text books, studies, examinations, promo
ton of pupils-Messrs. Hazen, Mitchell and
Bruce.
Penmanship. music, discipline Messrs
Shadd. Nhelpley, HaZen.
Industrial education. drawing. night schools
-Messrs. Cornish, Thayer, Wood.
Library and report-Messrs. Wilmer, Thayer,
Bruce.
HIGH SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS
Mr.. Thayer, from the committee on normal
anu AioA nShoo4s.iidue report RECOMMENDING
that the following books be added to the list of
text books in the High School, which was
adopted:
U. 2. Lodges Mechanics. Cages introduce
ton to Physical Science. John Fishes Civil
Government in the United States Collar Latin
Composition. Ballentyne's Blank Drawing Book
petition from citizens of Anacostia asking
that new school building be erected was re-
ceived and referred to the committee on build
ing and grounds.
Applications for teachers positions we're re-
ceiyed: j. ". Hoffman for leadership in High
School jamie 4. Brooks Ella Freeman and
Jeanette {. jackson for cooking school, Mrs
III. G. Fleet for sewing and LORNA Z. Cune for
assistant drawing teacher.
CHANGES AMONG TEACHERS.
designations were accepted as follows: Miss
NJ W. Brooks. Mary J. Davis, Emma j. Wood
ward, r. c. Ballinger an Miss s. f. Carter.
Janitors--Jas. II. Hughes, L. n. Ingram and
Emma Toliver
Leave of absence was granted to Miss F. G.
Farley until January l.
John ). Scheerer was appointed janitor at the
Tyler building and Josiah Cray at the Brent
building.
On motion of DIR. Shadd the nominations
for teachers positions of Miss Katie T. Waugh
and John II. Mcintosh were referred to the
committee on teachers and janitors. Dr.
Shadd said that these namesw were omitted from
the list of teachers submitted at q previous
meeting.
The hoard than hold az, axaort;,o ....;o. -.