Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-21


Messrs, q. L. Beebe & Son proposed to
supply the schools with a certain spring
water at cost of $20,5S7 per annum.
All these communications were appropri-
ately referred
Mr.. B. W. Murch rendered his resigna-
ton as principal of the Force School, to
take effect July 1 next, in order to accept
the position OF assistant superintendent Of
puolic schoois, new office in the system,
to which he was recently appointed by the
District Commissioners. Mr.. Murch took
occasion to express his thanks to the board
OF trustees for the kindness and consdera-
ton uniformly shown him during his twelve
years OF teaching in the District His
resignation was accepted, and Stephen E.
Kramer was appointed to the vacancy thus
created in the principalship of the Force
School.
Provision for Health Tests.
Mr. Wright, from the committee on rules,
to which committee was referred the reso-
luton relating to the ''propriety and feast
biiity of providing for health tests for all
applicants for admission to and graduation
from the normal schools" made a partial
report, containing the following tentative
rules:
L. That such tests should be applied to
all applicants for admission to the normal
school hereafter.
That such tests for graduation should
be applied only to pupils hereafter entering
the normal schools.
); That these examination should be
conducted under the supervision of the
health officer of the District of Columbia.
4. mat the matter be referred to the
commissioners of the District of Columbia
with the request that if the Commissioners
approve the health officer,qbe directed to
suggest rules and regulations governing
such examinations and testsg and that they
snaii De made under the direction of the
health officer" u n
II appears from the report that the pro-
posed rules were referred by the District
commissioners to the health officer for re-
port, and that the'latter officially reported
generally that in the absence of specific
information on the subject he was unable
at this time to prepare the rules and reeula-
tons indicated. Health Officer Woodward
SAD, however, that inasmuch as nearly all
the persons who apply for admission to the
normal scnool are of the feminine sex it
is essential that provision be made whereby
the proposed examination be made NV a
woman physician. The health department
mas none such in It's service he said. and
no appropriation out of which one could
De paid for her services.
DR.. Woodward said the only noss;h,a NOV
such an appointment could be made in hia
department was by the creation of a va
cancy py the suspension or dismissal of one
or It's regular employees. He added that be
had recently consulted two of the Iaadina
women physicians of Washington and vas
informed that while the usual fee for sIIch
examinations was s. in each case, they
were willing to make the examiner ions =,
the case of the Normal School pupils at the
rate of 81 each 80 ''0
The health officer suggested that it might
De. sufhclent for the purpose to examine the
proposed candidates in the same rapnar
as applicants for life insurance are evan
med, and to reject all such as would not
De ciassed as good risks" as the results
OIL such examination. OF those who re-
main, he said, all should be rejected who
manifest any marked defect of the vision
not properly corrected by glasses. or whose
hearing is percepdby defective.
!, Tie added that the attendance records at
the High School of those who remain
should then be consulted and the causes of
absence If any, be asCertained, so that such
candidates could be ranked according TO
thelr probable physical endurance as shown
py the tests above described and by four
years observation of their powers of ON
durance as tested by the work of the High
School. 10
He said furthermore, that as there are no
FUNDS out of which the regular physical ex-
animation can be met that blanks be pre-
pared similar to those in use by insurance
companies and by the United States civil
service commission, and furnished to the
applicants for admission to the Normal
school with instructions to have them filled
out by some reputable physician at the ex-
pense of the student, and returned to the
proper school officer.
In discussing the report, Trustee Harries
said that inasmuch as the proposed exam
1nation was intended solely for the benefit
OF the school system, he was opposed to the
proposition to tax the teachers for it.
1t being evident from further remarks
that the board was not ready to act on the
matter. Mr.. Barnard made q motion which
was adopted, that the subject be referred
back to the committee on rules for the
preparation Of the necessary rules, and that
the committee on ways and means be IN
structed to consider the question of ex-
pense and the method of meeting it.
Tribute to Dead Principal.
Mr.. Brown. from the special committee
appointed for the purpose, reported a series
of resolutions expressive of, the regard Of
the board for the late Henry P. Montgom-
cry, for seventeen years supervising prin-
cipal of our schools. q
I'VE are glad" said the committee ito
rote some of his characteristic traits
worthy of emulation. He ,Was a man of
positive strength of character. In his
manner he was manly and dtgnified, and in
his action business-l;ke. His conclusions
were carefully reached and 'conserya tivelv
held. He was independent IN thought but
respectful in all his relations with others.
Mr.. Montgomery was an enthusiastic
educator BY choice, disposition and train.
ing he was a teacher. HIS devotion to his
profession was sincere'and striking How
TO make his teaching corps the most eff
ficient, and how to promote the best in
terests of the children, seemed to be his
chief thought. Recognizing the special
iced of such men as educators and leaders
Of the young, we deplore his death. and
deeply feel with this community and the
whole race his loss. We commend to the
young and to all educators his high ideals,
his answering purpose. his fidelity to his
chosen life work and his exalted charac
ter"
Superintendent Powell paid a high tribute
to the worth of Mr.. Montgomery and said
he regarded him as one of the foremost rem
resentatives of his race in the world The
report was adopted.
The following amendment previously pro-
posed by Mr.. Wright was adopted THAT so
much of rule is as relates to the Normal
School of the ninth. tenth and eleventh
divisions be suspended, and that the num-
Der to be admitted into to --..Sc-:-.l. School
for such divisions for the current year be