The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-12-23
HOBOKHN'S SHAME.
The Seanda1ous Favoritism
in the Schools to Be
Further Agitated.

The meeting of the Hoboken Board of
rs exciting as was anticipated. although
an opportunity was given, the mineri ty
TO place themselves squarely on record as
In favor of Miss Booth, an opportunity they
have let pass twice. The expected petition
of the citizens was not presented. but
Miss Booth wrote the Board. requesting,
in effect, that she be appointed to the p0-
sition to which Miss O'Toole was ap-
pointed. Justice Reid wanted the matter
attended to at once. but, on motion of
Trustee Hicks, consideration of the SUBJ
ject was held over until the next meeting
After the passing of the payrolis and
the transaction of other routine business.
Miss Booths letter was read as follows:-
HoBoKEN, Dec. 22, 1892.
To the Honorable the Board of Education of
Hobolefs:
GENTLEMEN-Im most respectfully petition your
honorable body to reconsider your action at
ing the position in the High School to the
second competitor in the examina ton.
I have. always endeayored to do faithfully
all duties pertaining to my position and
any and all rules and decisions of the Board Of
Education. Yet. in this instance, l feel aggreved
that my reputation for ability as competent
teacher should seem to be called into question
before the public by your decision. entered
into the competition for the position ia good faith
believing that the highest competitor would
receive the prize sought for. Had / or my
friends believed that such would not be the re-
suit would not have entered 1t. As have not
been assigned to the position, the question of
my fitness to fill 1t might justly be raised in the
minds of the public in general. That such re-
suit was intended or foressen by your honorable
body, do not for moment believe.
Therefore ask you to do me justice in the
matter and right what has been, believe, an
unintentional WrOpR
l wish also to disclaim any connection what
ever with any excitement or talk on this sub
ject which may exist in this city. cannot be
held responsible for the action or words of zeal
Gus and well-meaning friends who may have
discussed or criticized on this occasion.
Again praying you for just settlement of
the matter, remain. yours respectfully,
SARAH BOOTH.
The petition being circulated among
the citizens is being signed by almost
every one 1t Is presented to, and contains at
present some 1000 signatures. There is
no mincing of words in the preamble. IL
is as follows:-
We, the undersigned citizens of Hoboken,
to reconsider appointment to vacancy in
High School of said city at your meet
ing of December l2 last. After having
offered the position to one who should receive
the highest average in competitive examna-
tion. youshave entirely ignored your offer, and,
for reasons best known to the majority of the
boafo nave awarded position 10 one who did not
receive the highest average. In behalf of the
welfare OF the public schools and the cause OF
education in our city, we request you to award
position to one justly emitted to it according to
your offer, that is to the one who received the
highest average. that neither your motives nor
actions may be questioned by any fair-minded
citjzen. -,
trustees last night said:-s'I have seen the
petition. and it is numerously signed
But on its face it Is a miSrenreSen ntAtion
in this. that it was not decided that she,
receiving the highest average, would Sc.
cure the position. There were two
eligible, aud we selected. the one we
thought capable, at the same time not
casting reflections upon the abilities OF
Miss Booth. We voted honestly. and l.
for one, will not vote to reconsider"