The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-05-29
BOYS WHO USE THE WEED
DR.. Dennis Proposes a Teachers
lnquisitiOn But John Reid
Objects.

All tue members were present az tue
meeting Of the Board Of Education last
night The meeting was very long.
The Board was notified by the Board Of
Finance that the appropriation needed BY
the various city Boards should be made
known BY June Is
Miss Jennie NJ. Frost was granted an
extension of leave OF absence. On motion
OF Director Garrison Miss Alace NJ. Bel
lows and Miss Daisy L. Kennedy OF No. 3
school were granted one month leave Of
absence
DR.. Dennis of the State Board of Health
who had been seated within the railing,
was given the privilege OF the floor. The
Doctor wanted to know IL possible what
the effects Of the tobacco were among the
scholars In the schools. He said that
physicians, although divided on the ques-
tion whether tobacco was Injurious to
adults. were unanimous In the opinion
that It retarded the growth Of children
and was in other ways injurious. The
Doctor then read letter which he had
received from DIR. Sefer, of Yale Universi-
ty, In answer to questions as to the effects
OF the use OF tobacco among the scholars
in that institution. The letter went into
elaborate details, and apparently wearied
the members of the Board
After reading the letter DR.. Dennis
said he had prepared a circular In which
questions were formulated, and teachers
were to ask the scholars il they used to-
bacco. II they did the teacher was to
note the effect Of its use on the physical
condition Of the scholar. The doctor ex-
planned how this could be done by the
teachers finding out if the pupil was pro-
icient in games and athletic exercises.
Then the teacher was to note the effects
mentally. The scholars memory and
faculty OF acquiring knowIedge. was to be
fmN fa.aak Il .4AI.
note the effect on the scholar from a
moral standpoint. whether he was truth
full, etc. Lastly the teacher was to ask
the scholar II his father used tobacco.
The object Of this was, be said. to learn
whether the use Of tobacco was heredi-
tary.
After the Doctor finished, President
Voorhees, asked very pertinent question.
He said that the use Of tobacco was at
present prohibited among the scholars,
and 1t would be reasonable TO suppose
that a great many boys would deny that
they used 1t. and the information CLEANED
would not be reliable.
HE UNDERSTANDS THE SUBJ EcT.
Director John Reid did not wear
pleased smile while the medical gentle
man was talking; and taking a chew Of
tobacco from Phil. Muldoon. he arose
and said.-
s'Mr. President-There are cranks on all
questions, aud l believe that this man is
crank on tobacco. l do not think the
Board should do anything at all In the
matter. This gentleman has no right to
come here and occupy our valuable time.
II we want to stop the use OF tobacco In
our youth the proper place to do It is at
home. Therefore / move that the matter
be laid on the table"
Director Garrison thought some court
esy should be shown TO the State Board
of Health, and moved that the Board al
low Or. Dennis 10 get the information he
desired. The matter was finally laid over
until the next meeting. M
The Board then decided to revise the
rules. MIR. Kelly strenuously objected.
He thought that the matter should be
laid over until the next nesting. He
thought it should be brought up in COM
mittee and not sprung in open meeting.
The Board then made soi15 changes II
the rules. Mr.. Kelly occasionally inter I
posing a vain objection. The powers OF
the Committee on Janitors were defined.
The committee is to have charge OF all
janitors of public schools and recommend
all persons for janitors. Under the new
rule the janitors are under the immediate
control of the local committeeman.
Mr.. Moran thought that the previous
rules were more binding. Mr.. Garrison
said that the new rule relieved him OF
great deal Of work going around to the
schools, as the local committeeman could
Lno WOIk. Inc was duOpbcut MI
Kelly alone voting in the negative.
RESIGNATION AND MARRIAGE.
Another rule was adopted by which If
teacher is about to resign she is COM
pelled 70 give the Board mouths notice
or else months salary will be deducted.
MIR. Phngsten was positive that this rule
could not be enforced, as he said hat no
public body could deduct from salary n
account of disobeying the rules laid dow u
unless the teacher had agreed to them.
Another rule which was adopted re-
lated to marriage. 1t reads as follows:-
"Should a female teacher marry her
place will be at once declared vacant, but
such marriage shall not operate as a bar
rier to her reappointment with the ap-
proval of the Board"
President Voorhees, explained this rule
by saying that it was designed for teach
ers who were widows.
Mr.. Reid said he was opposed to having
married women teachers in the schools,
but the rule was adopted by vote OF 4
to g.
Another rule provides that If the class
of any teacher falls below 20 per cent on
two occasions, and If, when examined by
the Principal, it falls below again the
teacher be reported and her dismissal rec
commended.
Mr.. Garrison prepared a rule, which is
rough on the janitors. Their work is
very detailed and they are compelled to
scrub the schools at least once every TWO |
months. Mr.. Kelly opposed the rule, but
it was adopted nevertheless. II was then
decided TO have 100 copies Of 1.-THE revised
rules printed.
Before adjourning, Mr.. Pfngsten
glanced at DIR. Dennis who was within
the railing, and moved that vote os
thanks be rendered him for the inform
alton that had been furnished the Board.
AN oppN AIR .nNcRRT