The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-09-09
SPLIT on HAADNRIIlNe
School Board Debates the New
Vertical System.
RESULTED IN A TIE VOTE
Board Stood Four to Four and No
Conclusion Was Observation-Disclosures
Debate Was Had aud Some FetEs.g
Observation-Disclosures in the Corps
OF Teachers.

The board OF public school trustees held
lively meeting yesterday afternoon at
the Franklin School building. Cne result
was the establishment OF q precedent in
the matter OF the selection Of public school
text books. There were motions and coun-
ter-motioDs. an appeal from the decision
OF the chair, voting by roll-call, and
finally a recess to allow the Committees
from which the subject OF discussion enla-
mated to confer.
The discussion was precipitated by DR..
Shadd OF the comnAttec Oh premiership ana
music, who moved the adoption OF the Mer-
rill systein of vertical writing in the pub
lie schools of the city. The motion was
opposed by DR.. Hazeu Of the committee on
text books and studies. who maintained
that the matter properly came under the
supervision OF that committee and sug-
gested that 1t be referred to it and the
superintendent Of public schools.
The propriety OF DR.. Shadd's committee
handling the question ut all was questioned
on the ground that the matter properly
belonged to the Committee on text books.
DEBATE WAS SPIRITED.
Major Harries took hand in the ru inning
debate ana spoke with much feeling. Per-
sonally. he said, he had no choice in th'.
matter but in the present instance he did
not think that the report OF the Committee
should be referred to body with inferior
authority. The committee, he said, might
err, but he thought it would be unfair for
the board 10 refer the report TO a sub
committee. Such action, he said, would
be undiGnificd and improper.
DR.. Shadd in reply TO DIR. HaZen, said he
did not think it advisable to refer the mat
ter to the cotIlmittee on text books, with
Superintendent Powell as an advisor. as
the result might be looked upon as dicta-
torial on the part OF that official, and he
was satisfied the committee would not be
dictated 90 by any one.
An effort was then made to postpone
the whole matter To the me- t monthly meet
ing, but this was opposed by Mr.. Harries.
who contended that the board were as
well able to settle the matter then as they
would be a month hence.
AT the suggestion Of President Wheiply
i recess Was taken and the matter was re-
ferred TO the two committees Interested,
TO report Immediately.
WAS A TIE VOTE.
After consultation DR.. Hazeu, chairman
OF the coIrniittee on text books. reported
that thew had agreed to disagree as to
the text book to be used, but favored the
vertical system.
Mr.. Cornish then moved the original
question, the adoption Of the Merrill system.
which was carried by vote OF to 3.
Here the question OF the necessary two
thirds aros.. and the chair ruled that the
two-thirtis referred to the whole member
ship of the board.
Mr.. Earries appealed from the decision
and demanded a call of the roll, which
resulted as follows: No-Harries. Wilmer.
Shadd Cornish. Aye-Bernard. HaZen,
Wilson. Bruce. The chair cast the de-
Gliding vote. which permitted a motion
for the adoption of the Burdette system
of vertical penmansltip. This motion was
also lost. the vote being to 4.
Seeing that no oonclCSiCn cC:!d be arrived
at the whole matter was referred tot the
committees on text books and penman-
ship. Jointly. with the request that they
report at special meeting to be held next
Tuesday.
RESERVATIONS RECEIVED.
Resign atoms were received and ac-
cepted from Miss Kate O'NeiI. teacher in
Fourth division. and Miss Nora Mover Of
tile First division. Also a letter of
resignation from Miss Gertrude A Davis
OF the class of SO.
The following were appointed janitors:
james a. MCCariey. NJ Y. NardcD and
Edmund Brockenbrough.
Applications for positions as instructors
in manual training school were received
from MessrS. +. L. Nailor and B. F T.
Bell
An examination to fill vacancy in The
colored cooking school has been ordered
for the l7th instant. There are large
Number OF applicants and the examination
will be written