Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-10-13
THOMAS I- F. DIVINE.
Recommended For Principal of the Hank Street school.


 Street school.
 Chairman J. A. Mulcahy presided at the special meeting of the bosrd Of educauon held in inc district court room at 4 :30 yes- terdav afternoon. Besides the chairman there were present George H. Cowell. pr E. w. McDonald. Louis A. Platt. Dr J. F. | Hayes. Thomas D. Wells. Dr B. A. O'Hara | and Superintendent M. s. Crosby. The | meeting was called to act on the recom- | mendation of the committee on teachers in | relation to the appointment of principal for the Bank street school. The commit | tee had held a meeting for this purpose last Tuesday. Superintendent Crosby read the minutes of that meeting which showed that the following had made appii- cation for the vacant position, few com ing in too late to be considered: James E. Madipan of the Bishop street school. Thomas F. Devine, Suffield; G. F. Cook inpbam. Lee. Mass; Leon I. Wood, Wa terbury; J. E. Fitzsimons. Waterbury; E. A. Balsh, Aver, Mass; Thomas Odell, Wa terbury; NJ Brennan, Cheshire; E. l.. Ford, Brockton. Mass; F. J. Sherman, South Dartmouth, Mass; H. c. Benton, Thomaston; John Crowel. Yarmouth. Mass; T. F.. George. Franklin. Mass. The minutes showed that the different applica- tions had been considered and that the committee had decided to recommend the name of Thomas F. Devine to the vacancy at a salary of S1 ,150. This the chairman explained was S350 less than had been | paid to MT Nelligan, but the committee was anxious to reduce the expenses of the district and thought that this sum might be sufficient for the present. Still he did not know whether Mir Devine would come here at that salary. When Mir Nelligan went south two years ago for the benefit of his health Mir Devine was secured to act as principal of the Bank street school dur ing his absence and received a salary of Sl POO a year. At that time it was under stood that in case Mir Nelligan should not resume his labors again at the school Mr
 Devine should be retained and this fact
 was one of the reasons why the committee
 had desired to recommend that he be en-
 ployed now.
 Judge Cowell believed in promoting James E. Madigan. who has given such ex-
 cellent satisfaction as principal of the
 Bishop street school. Mr .Cowell said:
 Il have a great deal of confidence in the
 committee on teachers, but my convic-
 tions are that we should promote faithful
 servants when we have an opportunity. l
 think that MT Madigan should be ap-
 pointed to the Bank street school and MT
 Devlne appointed to his place in the
 Bishop street school. It doesn't need a
 college graduate to preside over our com- , mon schools. We offer no incentive to { our teachers if We do not consider them in
 promotions. X new man should take a low place and work up. If languages and science were to be taught We would have to be governed by the qualifications of the
 teacher"
 Chairman Mulcahy said There is
 something about college bred man
 which is of much benefit to a school Such a man re-produces himself in tho , minds of his pupils. The better educated principal is the better it is for tho I school We feel that the interests of tho school would be best served by this ap . pointment."
 . Superintendent Crosby said: "Mr De . vine made an exceedingly able principa
 and teacher and the work went on duripI
 MT Nelligan's absence without any appar
 ent break or disturbance. The teacher
 were pleased with his government and tn, . pupils liked him. I don't know of any O the applicants who is his superior or eveI -- -- hIS equal
 It was shown that Mir Madigan's salar, is now q 200 and if he should receive th' - appointment he would probably expect tn
 same salary.
 Dr Hayes and Thomas D. Wells spok ! in favor of Mir Devine's appointment. ant
 on motion of pr Hayes the report of thu
 co mmittee on teachers was accepted aDI RScA tioD.
 The committee on teachers also recon mend that Katherine l.. Ward be assistan ' at tbe East Main street school during tn t remainder of the present term. Tn II recommendation was adopted The boar t adjourned subject to the call of the chair The new principal was born in Suffeld 1T this state. and graduated from the Con 6 necticut Literary institute in that town |. He taught school for four years at Ware T house Point and then entered Holy Cros college, Worcester, where he was studyinl
 philosophy when called to Waterbury
 He returned to Worcester, took the de
 gree of A. NJ. and afterwards entere' Georgetown university where he delivere' the master nration. He is now engaged il library work at Washington and making ', special study of history.
 . MrDevine notified the board this after T noon by dispatch that he would accept tn . position at the salary offered.