The San Francisco call., 1897-11-12
OTHER PARTIES.
Jerome A. Anderson,
Alfred Cridge,
A. w. Thompson.

A. w. Thompson.
The two important matters that came
before the charter convention last night
were the selection Of citizens whom the
body desires for candidates for the Board
of Freeholders, and the question whether
or not The coming Boards of Education
shall be appointed by the Mayor or elected
by the citizens. The first resulted in the
selection as set forth. and the latter was,
Judging from IL general expression, that
the people shall have the right 10 chose
their heads OF the educational system.
The meeting was opened by f. w.
Dohrmann and the first matter disposed
of was the method of drawing warrants
in the School Department, as recon-
mended by the School Committee. which
recon me endation was adop;ed. G. w.
Moores raised a long argument by ell
deavoring TO have the School Committee
change its ommend alton to have q
space oil ten feet around all OF the school
houses. Tne decision was that the school
houses should have that amount of space
as . precaution against fire and for venti-
latlon and light.
At this point Mayor Phelan took the
chair, and the special committee pre-
sented two dozen names OF citizens who
were eligible as candidates for the Board
OF Freeholders. Mayor Pheian appointed
+. X. Lane as Judge. A. s. BALDWIN as
laIiv Inspector and d. c. Murphy and w.
Macarthur as clerks. 1t took but short
time Tor he convention to make its selec-
ton, which has been stated in the fore
going. AS seen. the cand dates were chosen
without regard to politics, there being six
from other parties.
There was considerable discussion as 10
wha, the party name OF the conventions 8
choice shall be. The choice seemed to be
tho Charter Convention party" The
naming of the body was left 10 the law
committee.
The question that provoked the mos,
argument and several exchanges OF hot
shot was raised by GAVIN McNeb. At a
previous meeting the public schools COM
mittee recon mended that the Board of
Education be appointed by tho Mayor.
While this met with the favor of many,
there were others VINO considered that
with the appolntive positions already
vested in the cty's chief executive the
naming of the heads OF the Public School
Department was giving him 100 much
power anu taking too much from the
people
The opponents to the recommendation
we're on deck last night, and the opposi-
tion was headed by McNab who In an
earnest speech recommended that the
report of the public school COMMITTEES be
recommitied with the instruction that it
should change Its report SO that the
Board OF Education ST all be elected by
ballot by the people instead of as recon-
mended by the committee, allowing the
Mayor to appoint The Board of Education
He said that to allow this clause TO 90
through would mean the defeat of the
charter. J. J. Dwyer, in long speech,
supported McNab and went 10 the defense
of the Boards Of Education, present and
past, He further moved that the COM
mtttee pe lustruc ed to provide in its re-
port that the selection of teachers and
principals be vested in he Board of Edu-
cation and that power be iaaen from the
Superintendent and his four deputies who
make the selection OF these teachers
c. w. Mark took exception to the ate
ments of Dwyer aid held that the time is
ripe for attack ng tie system which per-
mits the mem bers OF he board to be cor
rupt and show unjust favoritlsn. Move
over, noi one OF dozen Is competent 10
pass upon the qualifications OF teachers.
NJ C. Hassett argued that the men who
are elected as School Directors are The
choice OF the peop.e but thai they are the
choice OF the bosse,, who require for the
nominations all The patronage that can
be given.
Charles Wesley Reed offered as a sub
stitute that the committee be requested
to change its report so as to provide for
the eiecIlon OF boards o. education by
popular election, and the teachers selected
by some system based upon civil service
principles, and have the teachers and
principals selected only upon tn eir fitness
Tnis will make friends instead OF enemies
for the charter and do away with the OBJ
lection to giving the Mayor too much
appointive power.
Mrs.. L. X. Burke took the position that
it is fficult TO apply the rule of civil ser
vice 10 the examination OF teachers. Un-
der the present system new teachers are
placed upon a probation OF six months, 1t
is this PROBATION work that's the real test
of the untried teacher, At the end of thi.
probation the Board of Superintendent,
as proposed, can determine tn. teachers
fitness 1t makes no difference whether
the Board OF Education is elected or APP
pointed. but let experts determine the
teachers fitness.
Joseph O'Conror thought that business
men should look after the building of
schoolhouses and the purchase of sup
niles, bui let experts determine the quail
hcations OF teachers.
A. e. Kellogg advised that the commit.
tees report De not disturbed, as il was
carefully considered in its preparation.
Reeds substitute and Dwyer's amend
ment were lost when put 10 vote, and
McNab's resolution. looking to the elec.
ton OF the Board of Education by popu-
lar vote, was carried.
The convention meets again this even
ing.
Mass Meeting of Labor Men.
A ~ I'm