The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-11-12
HOPKINS ELECTED.
Board of Education Fills
the Vacant Principal
ship in the High
School.
DIRECTOR COWLES STIRS UP 4 ROW
Members Resent the Impntation
That Politics Governed the
Choice Bids for
School Work.

As THE News predicted a few days
ago, James j. Hopkins, principal of No.
School. was elected principal OF the High
School, TO succeed Mr.. Haskell, at a very
lively meeting of the Board of Education
last night. The appointment provoked a
discussion. during which insinuations
We're made that party politics and not
merit controlled the action of the majority
of the Board. This was Indignantly de-
MED by the others, who said that they
had acted for the best interests Of the
city and did not consider any other ques-
ton but the best man for the place. Mr..
Hopkins rival candidate was Mr.. Louis
W. Goodenough, a very estimable man
and concerning whom all the Board spoke
highly, but his claims were not as strong
as those of Mr.. Hopkins and the latter
was elected. AS 1.-THE News pointed out
in Wednesdays paper, when Mr. Hopkins
is made assistant superintendent Mr.
Goodenough will secure the position he
desires.
With such important business to rams
act. the long delay up stairs in committee
was somewhat excusable. 1t was half
past ten o'clock before President Firm
opened the public meeting in the Assem-
bly, Chamber. and with the exception Of
Mr.. Quinn all were present. After a mass
of routine work was rushed through the
Committee on Teachers II Salaries Of
fered a resolution appointing, on the re-
commentator of a majority of the Com
mittee on High School, Louis A. Good
enough principal of that school, to succeed
Charles S. Haskell, resigned. Director
Mersheimer, the other member of the
High School Committee, presented a
minority report substituting the name of
James J. Hopkins for principal of the
High SCHOOL,
Director Cowles advocated the appoint
ment of Principal Goodenough and re-
marked thar while he had nothing TO say
personally against Mr.. Hopkins ne
thought tina he was not the best man for
the place and that politics had d bearing
towards his appointment Mr.. CoWles
said that for the money the city. PAD II
ought to get the best talent. ms ma
iority of the committee believed Mr..
Goodenough to be better fitted for this
position, he said, Judging by his real
merit.
Director Mersheimer was extremely
angry at the speech, and said that Mr.;
Cowles had been a member OF the BoaIu
longer than he had, and had known Mr.
Hopkins as a principal Tor hve years
and had a chance 10 know in what ad-
mirable manner his school was conduct
ed. He was surprised, ne said. that Mr..
Cowles should intimate that there were
politics in his matter.
s'Yhere is toe much of this throwing
insinuations," said Mr.. Mersheimer, ildlS-
rantly. when there is not one word OF
truth in it Challenge anyone to say
bers. 1 did what Ieonsidered best for the
city without regard to either politics or
newspapers. 1 am astonished that MI:
'Cowles would make such a statement as
he had"
Director Degnan said while a member
OF the Board he had always acted for the
end he had asked Superintendent Snyder's
opinion as to the best fitted man for
Principal of the High school,, and was
told that Mr.. Hopkins and Mr.. Good
Therefore. he, Mr.. Degnan. gave his pref
erence for Mr.. Hopkins because he had
been longest connected with the schools.
Gooden5ugh through courtesy to the
Director Muller would vote for Mr..
High School Committee so long as the
men were equal in their qualifications for
the position.
Director Dewitt said that he admired Mr..
Goodenough, and was a warm friend of
his, and would like to see him principal of
The High School,, but Mr.. Goodenough
chance his getting nearly the whole
vote of the Board he would not be a
candidate, a bare majority would not do.
II he did not receive a nearly unanimous
vote he would not accept. He. Mr..
Dewitt, therefore should vote for Mr.. Hop
kins.
A resolution offered as a substitute for
the majority and minority reports of the
committee signed by Directors Dewitt and
Mooney, appointing Mr.. James J.. Hop
kins principal of the High School, was
adopted by a vote of s to 4.
Ayes-Miggins, Mooney, Degnan. Brod-
erick, Finn. Mersheimer and President
Firm.
Nays-Da1y. CowIes. Muller and Allen.
Absent-Director Quinn.
Bids We're received for the erection of
new school buildings, No. II on Duncan
street and No. 26 on Palisade and Reser-
voir emu and for the additional ex-
cavation of building No. 81, corner of
Graham street and Hudson Boulevard.
Bids for No. II. carpenter work, Mar
tin Hackett, S., $780, J. Jenker & Son. 49,
0S5; J. Kelly, S10,423; A. ]. Dittnar & Son,
1888; ]. A. Lane. s.195; B. Donaldson.
slo,1sS; G. T. Muller. 1914; ]. Warren, Sill
600; J. Mahoney 11,2S5; r. Cook, $3.50;
J. Herman, $12, 800.
Mason work-P. Kenny, $l9.55T; M. j..
Connolly, S1S.69I; r English. $1S.294; w. n.
Orr, S20.175; Timothy Burke, $3.50: j.
Cutley. S2o,206: J. W. Whelehan. $40. 100; A.
& Burns, s16.471.
Plumbing-W. w. Farrier. 81. 4s5: f. j..
Keileher, 50. $50; p. E. Martin. 81. 9s3;; j. e.
Murray. S2,525.
Heating :. Crossley & L.Hommedieu
llams. SAB; j. curran misunderstanding
Co. $1,000: Baldwin Engineering Co..
$780,: William Tobin. 81, 527. J. j. Hether-
ington, 81, 426; Gillen & Geoghagen. $500.
For school building No. 2s-Carpenter
9T9: j. Jewkes & Son, 81? 357; A. j. Ditt-
mar e SIN s14 475. I a Lane s13 oqa. r