The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-26
REPLIES TO GEN. BOYNTON.
Mr.. Twombly Denies That His Resigna
ton Was Unanimously Asked.

To the Editor of The Times:
Your edition of Sunday contains a com.
munication signed by Gen. H. V. Boyn
ton. in which he stated that my resigna
tion as secretary OF the Board of Educa.
tion was emanded'it by him, at the in.
stance of the board, with the concur.
renee of every member"
That statement is absolutely without
foundation. On the eve of my retiremen,
from the Office of secretary of the board
to accept = better pcsition-which had
been rendered me nearly three months
before, and which l Immediately accented
when Sc rendered. and which every mem
Der OF the board. including General Boyn-
ton, knew that i had accepted, and that
my successor had been selected through
Tie medium OF petition to themselves,
signed by hve of the seven members OF
the BOARD. including General Boynton-the
latter came to me and stated that the
members of the board had held a meet :
ing to discuss school matters. and among
other things. 1t was unanimously" de-
cided that 1t would be for the interest of
the schools to have a change in the Office
OF secretary. He assured me of his sin
cere friendship, and stated that there was
not complaint against my official record
or my personal character.
l expressed my surprise that as the
board knew that | was SO soon to retire
ana mad twice deferred my departure in
difference to the wishes of its members
such action should have been taken, and
asked him IL l understood him as SAYING
that the action was unanimous. He re-
lterated his assertion, and has now re-
peated it i'll his communication in The
Times.
A day or two after our conversation. 4
member OF the Board of Education teIe-
phoned me denying General Boynton's
statement; another assured me that the
action was without his sanction. and a
third member stated that he was unable
to attend the meeting, but was decidedly
opposed 10 such an unnecessary and IN
Just course. Thus but four of the seven
members of the board may possibly have
reached what General Boynton termed
unanimous decision"
The meeting was held at General Boyn-
tons house, without my knowledge, and
was called by the president of the board
himself who assured me positively that
he could not prevent the action of the
board, but refused to give me the ground
for such extraordinary proceedings. He
stated that the injunction of secrecy was
in the interest of harmony and the schools
to say nothing about it myself
The explanation for his desire to call
for my resignation seems to me to have
been that he had become peevish be-
cause of one or two actions of the then
secretary in business matters connected |
with the schools
/ regarded the information given me by
he president with Indifference, attribut-
ing his course to a personal dislike for
ne, and gave the subject very little
thought. This opinion was confirmed
ater by his hostile attitude, when the
board granted me a leave of absence, by
lis attempt TO have such action rescinded
by the circulation OF a paper among
members of the board by messenger and
nail
Now that General Boynton has violated
he Injunction of secrecy voted by the |
BOARD. why cannot he give me the reason
or the extraordinary action of asking an |
'ficial to resign who had already re- |
igned?
In closing permit me, to say that for the |
lrst six months existence of the Board |
II Education-to the time of the retire |
nent OF its first president-there could |
lot have been more harmonious or |
body. The schools were |
likewise in perfect harmony and accord. |
ir. Bells retirement proved a sad ca
amity to the entire school system.
Immediately after my retirement from
he schools l explained the entire situa
ion to Commissioner Mcfarland. who
axes the deepest interest in the welfare
t the public schools.
Regarding the statement of General
'oynton that l had interested myself in
he publication of Mr.. Ritter's letter, l
eg to say that while | believe that Mr..
.itter's point was well taken. had l de-
fred anything of the kind published l
hould have given it over my own sigma
ire. II. II. TWOMBLY.
Washington, d. c., March "a, 1902.