The morning call., 1895-02-14
ALAMEDA.

The nomination of Mrs. l. n. Chapman
by the Good Government Club of this city
for member of the Board of Education con-
tinues to be the subject of discussion in
political circles. 1t was received with con-
sidera BILE enthusiasm, but now the ques-
ton is whether strict construction of the
law would countenance the nomination
and election.
Chairman Babcock of the Good Govern
ment Club has received written assurance
from Assemblyman Waymire that he will
use his pest efforts to secure a change in
section 757 on the charter of municipal cor
porations of the fifth class so that women
may serve as School Directors, thereby re-
moving all doubt. City Attorney Taylor
has also addressed letter to the Attorney
General, stating the facts of the case, re-
questing his opinion.
representative of THE CALL interviewed
Mrs. Chapman at her home on Pacific ave-
nue. Yesterday. She is a home woman, but
has had many years practical experience
as a teacher and has advanced ideas on the
subject of education She has four chill
dren and has devoted much of her time to
looking after their education. Her ideas
on the subject are best given in her own
language;
eff elected to position on the Board of
Education | should make it my first duty
to work for the good of the pupils of the
schools, ignoring the demands of poll
ticians to secure places in the School De-
partment. Superintendents, teachers and
all officials should be the best obtainable
for positions. The School Department
should in no way be made charitable in
stitution.
LAS very large majority of the teachers
in the public schools are women, who, as a
rule, are desirous that women should be
represented on the Board of School Direc-
tors, it certainly seems not only proper
but imperative that such representation
should be given them.
Party politics and religious beliefs have
nothing whatever to do with the conduct
of schools, and should in no way be
allowed to interfere with the workings
thereof. The principles of temperance, of
honesty, of uprightness of character and
good citizenship in every respect should be
kept before the pupils, not only by precept,
but by the example of teachers both in and
out of the schoolroom.
"We have much to be proud of in our
public schools, but they are not perfect,
and it would appear that with proper
representation of women as School Direc-
tors the perfecting of the system might be
simplifed. The average woman is better
qualified than the average man to know
the needs of children, and therefore better
able to suggest the proper means of sup
plying them.
s'As there are both boys and girls in the
schools, and both men and women as
teachers in them, can see no reason why
a Board of School Directors composed of
men and women should not do better and
more effective work than one composed of
either alone"
A Pleasant Affair.
Mrs. John T. Fleming gave a pink and
green luncheon yesterday afternoon at her
residence on High street. The guest of the
occasion was Miss Brophy of Ottawa.
Canada, the event being the anniversary
of her birth. The chandeliers were deco
rated with crepe tissue-paper, with
streamers of pink and green ribbons run
ming down to each plate and fastened with
brownie pin. Covers were laid for
twelve, and at each was an artistic hand
painted menu souvenir. In the center of
the table was a profusion of pink roses,
maiden-hair ferns and white carnations.
Proposed Library Building.
F. w. Van Sicken heads a list of six
residents who are willing to contribute
$1,000 for public library building. The
library trustees are in favor of erecting a
building to cost $4,000, and local archi-
teets have been invited to submit sketches
and run the risk of compensation in hav-
ing their plan accepted. The committee
in charge of the canvassing are confident
of securing a sufficient amount of funds to
warrant the beginning of work in few
months on the proposed new building.