The morning call., 1892-04-13
A New SCHOOL DIRECTOR.
Superintendent SWEET Will Name
Frank j. French.
1t Is Reasonably Certain That He Will Be
E,ected-Three Principals scrambling for
the Girls High School.


Schools. will name Frank j. French for the
vacancy in the school board occasioned by
the death of Colonel William Harvey.
Whether he will be approved by the board
or not remains to be seen. though the inn
preston seems TO prevail that he will.
Director Crooks was asked last night
what he thought the board would do with
the appointment, and he replied that he had
not the slightest idea. He had only learned
of the superintendent's proposed appoint.
ment through the newspapers aud had not
discussed the matter with single fellow
member of the board. He therefore had no
sort OF en- idea how they felt about it,
1t is pretty generally known that Super
intendent SWEETS first choice was Dr. Fiske.
whom he considered eminently fitted for
the place. But the doctor declined to have
bis name submitted without first know ing
positively that it would be approved. AS the
board was at that time in more or less ac-
tive condition of eruption no such assurance
could be given. Indeed, the intimation was
broadly given by the combine in the board
that no man would be approved who would
not train with the gang"
This made 1t very difficult matter FOX
the superintendent TO handle. He was de-
termined to appoint no one whom he did
not consider eminently fit for the place,
and 1t was ten to one that such q man
would be rejected every time because of
his natural antagonlsm 10 political com-
bines and the scrambling that has too often
characterized Boards of Education 10 the
great detriment Of the schools.
No ONE WILLING TO SERVE.
Superintendent SWEET could find no one
willing TO be an independent candidate and
take chances in the face of such e condition
OF things.
The present Board of Education has never
combines, all differing In complexion, have
been effected and as often bursted. Wran-
giles of the most rancorous nature have
scattered all sembance of harmony 10 the
winds, aud in the scramble for spOiis the
welfare of the public schools has been
almost entirely lost sight of. Occasionally
the mantle Of good behavior would settle
gently over them and the public would be
amazed TO see whole week pass By with
out scheme Of some kind TO Dust some
competent teacher and make room for a pet
or political hireling.
During one of these virtuous spells Ii was
whispered in roundabout way 10 the
Superintendent that DIR. Fiske would be
approved II appointed. The Superintendent
at once sought the doctor to obtain his con-
sent BY this time. however. Mrs. Flske
had put her foot down. She said tie doctor
had enough 10 do without mixing in any
more public affairs. The doctor took the
hint, and his name was not proposed.
MIR. French. the gentleman who will be
named tonight, Is lawyer OF 20 years,
standing in this city, whose integrity and
character have never been questioned and
whose ability is admitted by all who know
him. 1t will take SIX votes to approve his
appoin tment. and IL is believed they will be
forthcoming. -Four directors have prom
ised their support, il is understood, but who
they are Is not yet public secret.
THE PRESIDENTS VOTE.
cf1aut Hvna IL IL haliayai tpft
favorably. Woodward refuses 10 commit
himself. Sabin can be counted upon; so
can Culver aud Ames. Brooks has been
studying the matter seriously ever since last
evening and will probably fall Ia line.
Button, so far as known, is well disposed
and Pennington has a good record for voting
with the majority. Hyde and Decker are
by no means friendly, so harmony cannot
be counted upon as between them in this
matter. Dunn and Hyde have OF late be-
come very friendly, so may be expected Just
now to pull together.
1t has been openly reported that HYDE
and Sabin did not want the twelfth director
appointed at 6ll. He might suddenly be-
come refractory and interfere with their
little plans every now and then. He might
at least make the board more cumberso ne
to manipulate. But Superintendent SWEET
had a duty to perform according 10 law, and
he does not feel that he can postpone Ii any
longer.
However harmonious the board NAV be
on the matter of MIR. French's election, there
Is the most despairlng lack of harmony as
TO who shall be principal OF the new Girls
High School. Under all ordinary circum-
stances the subject should have no business
TO arise for several months yet, but delay In
the scramble for patronage Is not a vice 10
which this board is addicted. For Instance,
in February it was decided to erect a new
school on McAilster street. For deeency's
sake it would seem that at least the plans
of the building ought to be un der way be-
fore principal was elected.
WOULD NOT TAKE CHANCES.
Chairman Brooks of the Classification
Committee. however, knowing the chame-
lion-like character Of the board. did not
propose 20 take any chances He had his
favorite. Miss Goldsmith, picked out. and
he proposed her name. He was sure at
that time that he had strength enough i'm
the board TO elect her. and she was elected.
The scramblers for the principalship of
the new High School are Elisha Brooks.
principal of the Cogswell High School. w
n. Bush, principal OF the Commercial, and
James e.. Kennedy, principal of the Frank.
lin Grammar. Others are in the field, but
not so conspicuous in the race
Thus far they are pulling very evenly In
the board. and for the present at least anv
attempt to make a choice will result In a
deadlock. The matter may come up to-
night, though there Is no possibility of a
settlement now. 1t may be that the friends
Of each will decide to pull wires awhile vet
before putting the board on record in The
hope of gaining enough to win.
Brooks chief desire to get the High
School principalship Is because it Is now
definitely settled that the School Deport
ment will not release the Cogswell School
and after July it will 90 into the control
of the Cogsweli College trustees. He fears
that this change will at once result in a re-
duction Of salary, something he does not
fancy and prefers to avoid by remaining in
the School Department
Why Bush and Kennedy should bs so
ambitious to secure the place Is not plain.
as they are both In good positions and the
change would not inSura than anu nri,ri