The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-23
MISS PUTNAM SUSPENDED.
hrooL1yn's Veteran Coiored Teacher Not
Allowed To lie Head OF School 81.

nrook1yn's Veteran Coiored Teacher Not
Allowed To lie Head OF School 81.
About six months ago Miss GeorGenia j..
Putnam. n colored teacher. was appointed by
tho Board OF Education in Brooklyn rs head
OF department Of School No 81. which Is COM
posed OF white and colored pupils The local
committee of the school was opposed to tho
appointment OF Miss Putnam as head OF de-
partment but was willing to retain hor as n
teacher Miss Putnam refused to accept the
latter place and. since her recovery from \
prolonged Illness, has daily reported at tho
SCHOOL but has not been allowed to oiliciate as
head OF department.
The local committee suspended Miss Putnam
yesterday on the ground OF alleged incomre-
ttency. and at the next meeting Of the Board Of
pointnent will probably come up for cons ider-
alton. Miss Putnam's promotion was adontGd
there will be no difficulty in having the action
Miss Pntram's friends. however. propose to
endorsement of her abiitya as a sufficient an
swer to the charge OF Incompetence.
ment that T. McCan,s Stewart. the colored
who is memsSr Of the Lizard has
Miss Putnam Mt the head Of the school,: HIS
contcntion was that her age and declining
the onerous duties OF the place. Tho result OF
the controversy will be watched with much in
.eiest ny lile roloTeu citiZenS, many OF WnOm
have already taken occasion to express pub
licly their disapproval OF the treatment she
has received. School superintendent W. II.
Maxwell says Miss Putnam is ono Of the best
public school teachers ever employed In
BROOKLYN. and several old members of the
Board speak In equally high terms Of her. Mr..
Stewart and Messrs. Simis and Clark. who
compose the committee Of school No 80.
agreed to Miss rutnam's Suspension.
Miss Putnam has not been officially notified
OF her suspension and will report at the school
daily until she receives such notice. 1t Ia also
hnt @ 10 mai ~ mi Hah IN Nv
Messrs. Simis and Stewart without any con.
snltation with Mr.. Clarke. the third member OF
the. School Committee Mr.. Clarke himself
said last night THAT the certificates which Miss
Putnam holds show that she is entirely COM
petent to teach. and he desires that she may
have fair play 10 the controversy.
When Miss Putnam reached tho school on
Friday she found the doors Of her room were
locked. and that the iantor had been notified
to refuse her admission. She complained to
Principal Frank X. Perkins who explained to
her that the IanitOr was simply carrying
mittee and that he could not Interfere in
the matter. Miss Putnam remained ut the
school all that day. and also came to the school
each day in the present week. but the door OF
her room sti II remained locked against her
No attempt, however. was made to eject her
interfere with her movements.
The colored pupils and many Of tho white
pupils sympathize deeply with Miss Putnam.
and the pecul lar conditions prevailing have
hud a disQuietng effect on tho school. Miss
Putnam's friends are ind gnan ut over tho treat
hold a mass meeting at the Fleet Street NJ T.
Church next week and enter strong protest
against her displacement and petition the
Board OF Education for her retention.