The evening times., 1900-07-16

throughout the District and especially
those who have beer openly friendly to
ex-SuperinJendent Powell. are in state
Of trepidation amounting almost TO panic
over the summary dismissal OF Supervis-
ing Principal Fairbrother. and the wording
Of the new school law which makes it pos
sible for the School Beard 20 dismiss any
| teacher or other employe lat the pleas
ure" Of the board without warning or rea-
son. if such a course seems ft.
The action OF the Board last week in de-
| Gliding that all the teachers employed last
year shall be reappointed for the coming
term has only partially dispelled the fear
CT the teachers II is a general belief that,
this is an indication that the board as a
whole intends TO be conservative. and that
no large number of teachers will be dis
placed Immediately. Many. however, say
that after the appointments have been
made as usual, il will Re an easy matter 10
make dismissals gradually without attract
ing the attention Of the public. and even
without arOusiDg the board itself if any
particular strong and influential member
OF the board has personal grievances. or
/ an AK TO gricd.
! The wording of the new law has caused
Il storm Of protest, not only among the
L
| 10 whose attention IL has been called. The
| commeL. among the teachers. and in other
quarters. is that General Harries is respon-
( slble for the law. II is asserted very pos
| itiYely that the reason for the harsh word
| ing Of the act is that General Harries
wishes to make himself powerful in the
schools and to accomplish many dismIssals
and appointments that are desirable TO
him personally.
The grounds for these grave accusations
are said 10 be numerous, and il is alleged
Z that there is 20 be a tremendous protest
! against his retention as a member Of the
( board. During last week, before the an
/ uoUncsIent that all the teachers would be
! reappOinted, there was much talk OF a
/ wOmen's mass meeting OF protest against
| him. but It is thought probable now that
! this plan viii not be carried out. at least
! Immediately.
| The section Of the District Appropriations
| act. making provisions for the District
| schools contains the following clause. rela-
| tive 10 the appointment OF the superin-
/ tendelt. teachers and other officers:
The board shall have power to appoint one
superintendent for all the public schools OF the
District Of Columbia, two assistant superintcnd-
/ ents. one Of whom. under the direction Of the
superintendent, shall have charge OF schools for
colored children. etary and three clerks and
TO remove said officers at its pleasure, and shall
also have power 70 EMPLOY and remove all teach
ers, officers, and other employees connected with
tEe public schools not already specified: Provided
] That the graduates OF the normal schools shall
have preference in all cases when appointments Of
| teachers for the grade schools are 10 be made
/ The superintendent shall annually submit TO the
/ board FOR its approval the course Of studies and
list Of textbooks and other apparatus 20 he used
I In said schools
/ II Will be seen that the wording OF the
! clause is that the board shall have the
! power 20 remove the Superintendent and
! ether officers "at its pleasure and shall
| also have power. TO remove all
| teachers This clause. it is conteuded is
! in itself. utterly at variance with the IDEAS
OF civil service reform that have been sup
/ posed to rule in school government for
! many years IL IS denounced as inexCusa-
/ the present board. and any succeeding
| body that may be less conscientious and
! conservative. absolute power over the
! l,5C0 or more employees in the schools
| Nothing is said Of removal for cause or
| o. any hearing 10 be given teachers before
! hey are dismissed. Under the act. as it
! now stands. the worst kind OF star-Cham-
| Der methods could be introduced Nepo-
| tism Of the most fragrant kind would be
| lawful Personal Friendship and personal
| jcolously might apparently have full sway
| if the board should see ft.
! The dismissal Of Mr. Fairbrother. after
many Years Of service in the schools is
given as a striking example OF the possi-
bic evil Of the new law II is said that
Mr.. Fairbrother knew -othing Of his dis
missal until after il was made No charges
we're made against him. or il any were
made he knew nothing about them And
moreover the board with two executions
was entirely unfamiliar with the District
schools and did not even know Mr. Fair
brother personally or have any direct
knowledge % his work As far as the