The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-02

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Tho new school committee men were
In their seats I'm the board room OF the
Classical High school last night at $50
when they were called to order by Chair
man Gleason who called for nominations
for president for the ensuing year as soon
as the new members were sworn I'm.
= Richard Comstock proposed the name
OF Dr. Gleason for reelection and Mr..
Barney placed in counter nomination. the
nsme Of Mr.. Rueckert. who" he said.
was 2 man who served the city In the
legislature and upon the bench, has been
prominent and active member OF this body
for nine years past and Is well acquainted
with the duties which he Will have TO per-
FORM as It's chairman
This nomination was seconded by DR..
fill and Joseph Gainer seconded that of
Dr. Gleason.
When the ballot was being taken Mr..
Fhilbrick asked to be excused from rot-
ing giving tho following explanation:
Zone year ago. when / was advised
by Representatives OF each OF the fac
lions OF the school committee that II was
evident that upon my vote depended the
control of the committee for the ensuing
year. found myself suddenly face TO
face with a problem involving no s.nall
responsibility.
ION the one side was offered cxn-
tinusnce OF the administration which for
many wars had been in control. and
which To my mind had In a large degree
forfeited It's claims TO the confidence Of
our citizens.
ION the other was presented new
and untried management represented 10
be free from past entang'ements and
promising a correction OF some OF the
evils from which 1 believed our school
system TO be suffering.
NON PARTISAN ACTION.
During the few hours left previous
40 tho meeting FOR organization en-
deavored by conference With several Of
my friends and out Of personal expe-
rIence after Ave wears of service on the
committee TO arrive at the conclusion
which would best serve the interests Of
the schools ~ our beloved city.
II have always been firmly convinced
that political affiliations should not obtain
IN determining ones duty in school mat
ters. and that non-partsan action must
characterize the committeeman who had
sincere desire 10 place the administration
above a suspicion Of personal motives.
Acting under these convictions ] re-
solved to cast my lot with the side which
In nv Judgment gave the promise of i'm
ri iovement Of conditions. which were e. ~
orally considered to- be bad, and 10 restore
confidence In the administration Of ono of
tho most important branches cf the city
government.
1T has seemed but consiyi>'' with such
a decision TO allow the management 10
place In executive positions persons who
are IN entire sympathy with IL, and so far
as could conscientiously do so ] have
adopted such a course,
l.'Tt seems 10 me but fair to remind YOU
that during the past year several very
important advance steps have been
taken. regard the revision OF our by
laws. providing as they now do for the
nomination and transfer of teachers by
tho superintendent. for a participation
hv tho tsscher4 and superintendent in
tho selection OF all textbooks for use in
the grammar and primary schools. for
the tenude in Office during good be-
ha ay-ior OF the superintendent and sec
retary, for the approval OF the selection
Of purchasing agent and SSe the election
of superintendent Of school property by
the entire committee. az refreshing
evidence or ~ desire 10 remove tHeSe mat
.rs as far as possible from political In
huences.
A SCHOOL COMMISSION.
The unfortunate recent Developments
IN connection with the purchase of sup
plies furnish again undesirable evidence
that n is impossible 10 conduct the bust
ness Of the school department In man
nsr which commends Itself TO the best
business principle and which should OBJ
tain in tho expenditure Of large sums "f
money. so long as the body I'm control
r. so large. and so long as its con-
stituency Is not especially chosen for par
ticular fitness for the place.
Responsibility must be assumed by
committees ~ FIVE members, but re-
sponsibility for negligence or wrong
doing cannot be fixed upon an individual
under present conditions. Both sides
hare ffew-been given a fair trial but yet
We are far from the goal
II cannot understand what more our
people desire 10 convince them that
school commission. OF a small number,
appointed by an Official each of whom
can I've held individually responsible for
his part is the only solution of the dues-
fion. During those six Years many pleas
ant helpful acauaintances I'm this COM
mitiee have been formed and I shall
look hack with Subtraction upon many ~
the services which together We have
been enabled 20 perform, but 7 cannot at