Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-12-19

names the trustees and they while
they cannot insure the success of their
particular school may by their act
render abortiye and unavaiIing for
good whatever has been done by leg.
islaturc state board or county school
| commissioners.
lone of the duties of those to whom
the schools are intrusted is the nam
ing of the teachers. This is by far
their most important duty-sa duty
fraught with consequences of the
highest moment. But one consider
alton should determine their action in
this matter-the fitness in character,
manner and professional knowledge
Of their appointee. Inquiry was some
years ago made by one of the most in.
huential magazines of the country as
to mhat part politics played in the APP
pointment of teachers in Maryland
The inquiry having been addressed TO
me in regard to one of the counties of
the state the reply was given that
politics PLAYED no parG in the ap-
pointment of teachers. / knew of no
case in which an appointment had
been made for political reasons but
appointments were made and fire.
quently made, through favoritism.
Teachers were appointed because they
were in the neighborhood and the
family needed the increased income
the salary would give. If fitness was
considered it was subordinate con-
sideration. Such action may be com
mended on the score of neighborly
kindness. but certainly not defended
as the official act Of a conscientious
trustee. Knowing nothing of the con-
ditions in Anne Arundel county Lean
say these things without incurring
the charge of being personal. They
| NAV be inapplicable to those whom /
am addressing, but they are general
truths and deserve serious considera-
tion.
Mr.. Thomas f. Stevens expressed
his most hearty approval of the pur-
| poses of the new organization. He
said he looked for great good to come
out of it.
Dr. @. r. Winterson said that, speak.
ing of himself, he confessed to many
short tscomings as trustee, and he knew
that most trustees took too little inter
est in their work, but that he believed
this association would WELD a power
full influence for good if it succeeded
in putting into effective operation
| that most important part of the ma
chinery of the school systematic
congratulated President Melvin on
the interest he has shown in school
work, and took occasion to say that,
without disparagement, he believed
we have the best board of county
school commissioners we have had in
many years. lie said that he had
come to this meeting mt great incon-
veuience, but that he felt so much in
| terest in the schools he had brooked
| the bad weather aud come. He hoped
| the county board would appoint only
good men as trustees and that they
would meet monthly or ofteDer aud
look after the interests of their dis
| tricts. One duty of trustee, he sai id,
was to become acquainted with the
school children of the district, so that
they will not feel timid at seeing the
| trustee visit the cshools. He said the
only means that could make trustees
| take an interest in their work was to
| organize and he thought Mr.. Melvin S
plan q good one and again congratu-
| lated him and thanked him for inau-
gurating it. DIR. Winterson statedt hat
he had made it rule in selecting
| teachers always to give preference
to those living in the county, all other
things being equal.
Capt. w. g. Gischell said ie had
come to the meeting in the face of the
severe weather and at some expense
| aud business Inconvenience to show
| his deep interest in the cause of edu-
cation. He further said II believe
| this meeting is a step in the right di
rection The extent Of the good that
may be accomplished can hardly be
measured. The plan proposed goes
right down to the foundation of the
school system and deals with the most
| important part of the school macbin-
cry ry-the district school trustees. Let
| the trustees here present from this
| time on 90 to work with greater de-
| termination to improve their schools
aud school surroundings. Let us keep
this organization up and let each dis
trict have something in the line of
| improvement to report at the next
meeting. l believe with DR.. Winter
| son, that the appointment Of teachers
shoull be made from among the sons
and daughters of our own citizens it
/ their fitness aud qualifications arc
equal to others applying"
At this point in the proceedings the
/ President announced that recess Of
one hour would be taken, and invited
| the association to dinner at the Hotel
| Maryland. The association was again
| called to order at ! 80 o'clock.
DR.. Frank II. Thompson took the
| floor and made most interesting ad-
| dress on the duties of trustees. The
/ board of trustees of the Annapolis
| High School is composed OF six per-
sons, three ladies and three gentle
men, Dr. Thompson being chairman.
| he attributed the splendid success of
/ the administration of his board largely
due TO the intelligent and earnest lady
members of the board, Mrs. Robert
| Moss, Mrs. W o. Claude aud Mrs.
i j. Girault. He recommended that
every board of trustees shonld have
/ one or more ladies on it, which rec
| ommendation was aDplauded by the
meeting DIR. Thompson stated that
the idea of initiating school improve
ment right down amongst the people,
namely. in the school districts, with
| the trustees themselves, was a thor.
| oughly practical and popular one, and
would in his Judgment, produce re-
suits that will be most gratifying tc
| those who are interested in the vel
fare of the schools He said that il
the weather had been pleasant be
believed there would have been 2
very large crowd in attendance.
Mr.. j. NJ Lowman spoke briefly
expressing his hearty approval of th'
organization of ''The School Improve
uent Association, and said he wa
| ready to co-operate TO the fullest ex