The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-17

egihn;ately ignored except when small pox
prevails IN the city. Sometimes the pril-
clpclB hId sometimes the local cornniis-
si0ners take the responsibility for such
violation of this rule I am unable to SEQ
what right any principal has TO set aside
this rule so long as It rcm0Ans unchanged
by the board, even II ordered or permitted
TO do SO by the local commissioners. Just
as legally may n principal ignore the rule
requiring the school TO open at Il fixed
hour each morning.
Since practically no vaccination has been
done since 1896 the schools now contain
hundreds OF children who are totally un-
protected against small pox-abundant
int tcrini for Il widespread epidemic which
might close the schools for the entire re-
n:l!nder Of the year. With your rule rig
Idly. and pcrsistenly enforced no circun-
stances could ever arise rendering the
closing of the schools Necessary or>ac-
count OF small p04.
The reason for my calling your atte7-
t!on to this subject Just now Is the unusual
prevalence OF small pox In many parts Of
tho country. and especially In cities not
very far from us. The latest official re-
Pittsburgh and several places above and
below this city. During the past few
weeks there have occurred about 200 cases
in Cincinnati, 100 in Columbus. $50 in
Cleveland. $50 IN Washington City and
Alexandria, Va. GOO in Norfolk. Ports
mouth and Newport News, Va. The dis
ease prevails to a less extent In very many
other places.
Fer the above reasons l respectfully urge
that the principals OF the schools be d!-ec,
ed to enforce rule 100 rigdly, and that they
be instructed that they have no right to
at any time Ignore this rule.
Very respectfully,
S. L. JEPSON. NJ. D.,
Health Officer.
Miss a. B. Wilson, public librarian,
presented the report of the library for
February. 1t showed total circulation
of 7,l29 books and periodicals, of which
GIL were fiction, 1911 history, 500 his
tory: average daily circulation 800;
amount received from fines sl2.
Mr.. Ford introduced resolution pro-
viding for the taking Of an inventory Of
the public library, with view OF ascer-
tanning the need OF increased insurance,
1t twas adopted.
On motion OF Mr.. Maxwell, the super
intendent was instructed to enforce the
vaccination rule.
Miss Florence Ames, of Jackson,
Mich. sent in an application for the
position of superintendent OF drawing,
which was accompanied by testimonials
and her photograph. Miss Ames' appli-
cation was filed until the board shall de !.
eide, on creating this office.
The Clay commissioners reported the
resignation of Miss Elizabeth Clohan
and asked for the confirmation OF the
action Of the commissioners In selecting
Miss Loretta Lafferty as principal OF
Clay school.
Mr. Noble stated that It was his belief
and Of other commissioners that male
principals We're superior, hence he
moved to refer the selection back to the
committee.
Mr.. Jefferson said Clay commissioners
had also an opinion. He paid warm
tribute to Miss Lafferty's abilities. Mr.,
Jefferson wanted to know If crusade
against women had begun, and he said
1t was too late in the nineteenth CEN
fury, especially in educational work, to
talk down women principals. ContInu-
Ing, Mr.. Jefferson said Clay had had
woman principal for twenty years, and
one of them. Miss Clohan, was the peer
OF any school principal In the city.
Antl-woman principals might think
that man with n strap and cane was
the proper person to strike terror 10 the
hearts OF bad boys, but on the other
hand was woman's tact and finesse. In
schools taught bywomen the average OF
scholarship and department was equal
to those taught by men. Mr.. Jefferson
spoke at some length in support OF Miss
Laffcrty's appointment.
Mr.. Noble then argued very cleverly
why principals of the ward schools