Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-11-04
TABLED FOR ANOTHER WEEK.

Appolntment Of Principal For the
 High School.
 The resignation of Miss Margaret L. Grimes was accepted by the board of education at last nights meeting, and request that certain teachers be allowed a half days leave of absence to attend Miss Grimes wedding, was granted.
 Miss Sarah Callahan was appointed to fill the vacancy in tbe East Gaylord S. hool. Other changes were made as follows: Miss Gertrude T. Moran of the Long Hill school, was appointed to Miss allahan's place; Miss Mary Tennant, assistant at Welton street school, was appointed to a room in the Long Hill school, Mss Kelly of the same school. taking Miss Moran's place. Miss Jennie Cowan, formerly of Mlddlebury, was appointed to Miss Tenants place.
 A request that an assistant teacher be assigned to the West Side hill school was referred to the committee on teachers, with power.
 In the matter of appointing as teachers parties living outside of Wa terbury, John w. Webster spoke upon the impropriety of limiting appoint ments of teachers to Waterbury. except where everything else was equal.
 The following recommendation of the evening school committee was adopted:
 
 be used as those of last year and a sup ply be printed; that those who wish to teach in evening schools send in their applications to the superintendent on or before Thursday, November ,; that one or more classes of higher grade be formed in the Clay and Bank street schools and also in mechanical drawing under Mir Taylor.
 The chairman and Superintendent ClNNvp NaI act with the board of finance in relation to an addition to the Bishop street school and also regarding the venlila- tiOn of the Elm street school.
 At this point the question of appoint ing principal for the High school was introduced by Dr J. F. Hayes, who pre- sented the name of J. A. Okeefe of Lynn, Mass, and moved that he be ap- pointed. Dr Hayes spoke in the highest terms of the candidate and produced many testimonials from the best people in Lynn, Catholic and Protestant, who had nothing but good to say of MT Okeefe, whom all admitted was man of scholarly at ailments and brilliant success as a teacher.
 John w. Webster nominated E. O. Hovey, assistant principal at the High school, for the position. Mir Webster said he was favorably impressed with
 
 as he was under a cloud, having been dropped by the Lynn board. It would not be good policy, he thoug Int, to fly in the face of public sentiment, by appoint ing Mir O'Keefe. Judge Webster spoke of MT HOvey's fitness for the position and said that in the interests of civil ser vice reform he should be the chosen one
 Wilson H. Pierce, one of the new members of the board, said that he had Vlstlted Lynn to make personal inves- tigation and had the pleasure of meet ing MT O'Keefe and other Lynn citizens whose opinions had weight Mir Pierce then made this astonishing statement: From all quarters we ascertaired that Mir O'Keefe was fine disciplinarian and a perfect gentleman. We could dis cover nothing against him. He is a man whom under other circumstances I would vote for and give my backing to. We interviewed the chairman of the Lynn board of education and the sllper- lntendent of schools, and while both gave him their hearty commendation they said that Mir O'keefe's weakness was one that had brought about a feel ing of irritation and dissatisfaction, In his earnestness to do the best thing and maintain a high degree of discipline. his Judgment was nasty and not always of the best" In conclusion Attorne, Pierce said that owing to the feeling that exists in the community he thought it advisable to compromise bv the an. pointment of Mir Hovey.
 Dr E. w. Mcdonald favored the ap- pointment of Mir O'Keefe, and declared that the charge against hIm, that he was strict disciplinarian was one req son why he should be appointed. A strict disciplinarian is needed at the head of the High school
 Moritz Grelle, the other new member of the board, who visited Lynn to find anything that would reflect upon the character or ability of the candidate. lie heard nothing but great praise for his ability and conduct as a teacher and high esteem for his character as a man. MT Grelle said that in the honest dis charge of his duty as member of the board, he would vote for MT O'Keefe.
 John Henderson, Jr, said he did not doubt that MT O'Keefe was an able man, but he could not conscientiously vote for him. The key to the whole opposi- | tion to Mir Keefe was furnished bv Mir Henderson when he said: ''I represent the old line Americans and I do not | think that MT O'Keefe is very young man in relation to American citizen | ship. It IS hard for me to believe that | his sympathies are wholly confined | wltEln the limits of America: his | family traditions do not fit him to have a true idea of the duties of American | Although he is American | born he closely approaches being what | should call an alien. I think it very | unwise at this juncture to appoint him | principal"
 Rev J. A. Mulcahy then addressed the board saying: "The attitude assumed by | MT Henderson in this matter is so incon- | sistent and baseless that it seems in credible that any man should sincerely | maintain it. We have no proof that Mr | father was not born here as well as himself. But even if he were not It Is wrong and unworthy of an | AmerIcan citizen to bring that forward | to his prejudice. James G Blaine does | not go back into this twilight of fable with which Mir Henderson seems to | associate all merit. One of the other two candidates approved by MT Hen derson was born of Irish parents. yet il was not brought up against him. Mir Henderson IS ready tO v,,ta f,r b;,,