Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-23
HAGERsTOwN HAPPENINGS,
Two School Boards Cause Considerable
Trouble-The Political Situation-Notcs.

Two School Boards Cause Considerable
TrOuble-The Political situation-Notes.
Correspondence Of The Evening Star
HAoERsTowN, Aug %, 1892.
The management Of the public schools in this
county is in q terrible ''muddle" For years
past the school commissioners of this county
have been appointed by the judges of the circuit
court. A year or more ago the judges declined
to exercise thus prerogative and at the late ses-
sion Of the Maryland legislature a bill was
passed empowering the governor to name the
members of the board. This the governor did,
appointing four democrats and two republicans,
one more than constituted the old board. 1t is
claimed by good legal authority that the school
law Of 1892, as passed by the late Maryland
legislature, is clearly unconstitutional, and the
appointments by the governor are not only con-
trary to the constitution, but the very law
itself. The new board, composed of Messrs.
G. W. Smith (the only member of the old
board), DR.. ]. NJ. Gaines, DIR. ]. NJ.
Steck. John W. Swartz, B. A. Garlinger
and Koontz, met and organized by the cleo
ton Of George W. Smith as president. Six
teen ballots were taken for a secretary and ex-
aminer without a choice. The board then ad-
journed, but met on Wednesday and elected
Mr.. Frank Mish, young lawyer Of this city, TO
the position, ostensibly for the purpose of
BUSTING p. A. Wilmer, who has held the posi-
ton for twenty-four years. The old examiner
Witmer-refuses to step down and out and is
backed up by the old board. which met last
Friday and refused to recognize the new ap-
pointees or the new board self-constitsted
proceeded to the appointment Of a large num-
Der OF school teachers and issued card to the
public declaring no personal feeling in the
matter, but only desire to perpetuate the in
terests Of public instruction. The conflict be-
tween the ''old" and NEW" has caused intense
excitement in town and county, and has cul-
minated by bringing the matter into the courts
to decide the constitutionality of the act Of the
legislature and the appointments by the gov
ernor. The new board has sued out n man.
damus to compel n surrender of the books,
moneys and possessions of the Office, which the
old board declines to do. Eminent counsel
has been employed on both sides and lively
legal fight will ensue, greatly. however, to the
detriment Of the educational progress of the
county.
The political pot in this county has begun
to Skinner" quite lively, and clubs are being
formed in all directions, bearing the names Of
cleveland, Stevenson and Mckaig and
Harrison. Reed and Wellington the standard
bearers respectively Of the democrats and
republicans. The latter seem to be healing dis
sensions and pulling together, but a fractional
fight is on among the democrats, which has
been increased by the school board trouble, as
mentioned above, and one that is likely to
jeopadize the candidacy of Hon. VIM. NJ. Nc
kaig for reelection to Congress from this dis
trict. Col. Buchanan Schley, a brilliant gentle
man, possessed Of considerable magnetism, but
who has heretofore failed to be honored with
any fat takes" by his party, seems to have let
his aspirations drop down to Leadership"
and with q large following of the young democ-
racy has created lively howl by ignoring the
old timers in all of the movements and acts of
the party. Indications plainly ONT TO the fact
hat hp latf RING Ink nd
complaisantly await results, which, should they
prove disastrous to the party, will be laid at
Schley's door.
The warm weather has no terrors for those
desiring to get married One day this week
Clerk Oswald issued six licenses within as many
hours Tbs true the majority of these were for
parties from Virginia, who come here in large
numbers, and keep up Hagerstown's reputation
as being "Gretnn Green"
A new post Office has been established at Big
Spring, along the Potomac Valley railroad this
county, with p. Angle as postmaster WASH
lngton county can never accuse the government
of being niggardly in this respect, for it has a
post office at nearly every crossroads. with ad-
ditions almost weekly, but it is a prosperous
county and its needs require these postal ia
cilities.
The beautiful home Of the late Rev. Mayberry
Goheen, one Of the most widely known Metho-
dist ministers, situated short distance beyond
the corporate limits Of Hagerstown. consisting
OF two-story brick cottage with thirteen acres
OF land, has been sold to p. A. Brugh for S10-
600.
Mr.. James Crawford of Washington visited
the South Mountain battlefield several DAYS ago.
He was in quest Of relics of the war, and near
the Reno monument he found them. They con-
sisted Of bullets, pieces Of Shells bayonets. gun
barrels. &c. Mr.. Crawford returned home
pleased with his possessions.
In the Christ Reformed Church Of this city
Rev. Scott F. Hershey, Ph.D., delivered an in
teresting lecture on THE Empire Of Con-
science" The large audience was highly
pleased with the reverend gentleman's efforts
As an evidence Of the rapid growth of Hagers-
town it may be mentioned that o lot Of ground
bounded by Locust. Baltimore. Lee and Null
berry streets. which four years ago was simply
n pasture field, is now adorned with thirty
proportions. At present building operations
are in progress in all sections of the CITY.
Mrs. Blanche Hammond Of Washington, who
has been visiting her father in this CITY. has
returned home. Mr.. N. B. Edmonds of Wash
ins,on is visiting DIR. J: E. Pittsnogle, Frank
returned to her home in Hagerstown from a
pleasant visit to friends in Washington. Mrs.
Mollie Mclaughlin of Washington is visiting
her sister, Mrs John b. Sweeney, East Wash
ington street. Hagerstown.
Mr.. Jos. S. Mccartney teller Of the Second
National Bank of this city. has resigned
A cup of I've, taken by mistake killed Henry
son of Henry and Sallie Griffith of Cumberland.
The first paper published in Hagerstown
made its appearance January 1. 1890. The city
now has four papers, all daily with weekly
editions. These journals are secular A re-
ligious weekly is now to be added to the number
by Rev. Griffith late of Washington.
June Z, 1887, VIM. Ainsworth of st. James,
this county. was paralyzed. He fingered along
helpless until day or two ago, when he died at
the age Of sixty-fve years.
Mr.. Harmon Miller Of Martinsburg is minus
foot. He attempted to board a moving train
at Harper's Ferry with the above result
B.