Evening journal., 1905-02-06

DO that way under the election system
proposed. A board elected from the entire
/ city and having no particular locality IN
view would consequently represent every
section and we would therefore have as
perfect a system as we could possibly get.
It is believed that this charter takes
the board out OF politics as far as pos
sible and puts il in business.
Address by Or. Phillips.
Or. Philips was next introduced.
He said he had been looking over a
copy of the charter and while he did not
know the conditions in Wilmington he
noticed several provisions which appealed
70 him. He referred TO the provision in
regard TO elections and said he consid-
cred IL a good way. Better men. he said,
can be secured when the field is as large
as the city. He stated that a party will
nominate q man in ward. that It would
not dare to nominate in the city at large
A man. he said. is bound to think of his
constituents first and II there is to be a
new building or any improvements no will
want 1t for his ward.
The provision for a small board, Mr..
Phillips said. was one of its commendable
features. In Pennsylvania the average
size OF the school boards is six members
II is true that 1t matters not how many
good men you have, 1t is a difficulty to
find just the right man for the right place.
Therefore It is mucn harder to get a good
school board OF twenty-four members
than II is one OF seven. A smaller board
tends to greater efficiency. II is very easy
for one man out of twenty-four to sh rlx
his duty. I he smaller the board the harder
It would be for the members to shirls their
duty.
Il do not suppose" said he. there is
a company IN Wilmington shat would
think Of having a board OF directors of
twenly-four members" In PennsvIvania
he said he has found that the laree
boards are generally the least efhc.ent and
most corrupt.
II this charter is given you by the Leg
islature. said he. ] hope you will remem-
Der and not put men in your school board
who have nothing else to do. If YOU get
tho best men sou will find that they are
men who are busy
Tho term provided for your superin-
tendcnt. four years. is certainly not too
long. He cannot do much the first vear
or two. You now have an excellent su-
perintendent. We used TO have him in
Pennsylvania and miss him very much.
The provision for manager to look
after the buildings is a good thing. and
II ne is good man you will find he will
save his salary several times over.
Mr.. Phillips also thought well Of the
provision giving the women the right 10
vote for school boards There is no one
rs much interested in the pupils as the
mother and she will always work for
good members Of the board.
The speaker expressed his opinion that
the charter would keep politics out OF the
school board and he thought it should be
so. He said that professional politicians
have told him that they did not think
politics should mix with school matters.
Schools cannot succeed with politics or
favoritism
In Germany. the speaker said. there
were schools for the rich and others for
the poor. A poor child there can get only
elementary education. The poor children
there cannot get in the high schools. Mr..
Phillips said this was a country OF square
deal. as the poor and rich have the same
advantages as TO schools We believe in
giving every boy and girl a chance. a
fair deal
Small Boards in Other Cities.
Mrs. Warner read from data she had at
hand the names of number OF cities
and nearly all OF them had only seven or
less on their school boards. She then asked
for discussions from those in the audi
ence on the proposed new charter.
Others Endorse Charter.
Archdeacon Hall, the Revs W. r. d.
Lewis and T. A. McCurdy. Charles NJ
Curtis. Thomas II. Savery and John Ban
croft were called on for remarks by Mrs
Warner and they all spoke in favor OF the
proposed charter.
Opposed by Daniel Ross.
The following members OF the Board OF
Education were present: Daniel Ross ]
d. Carter. Dr. A. f. Frantz and Dr
Thomas o. Cooper who is also a member
OF the General Assembly. Mr. Ross wa:
called on and in short address spoke
2 against the proposed charter and claimed
the present charter has many Of the pro
visions In It which arc claimed to b,
5 features Of the proposed charter.
Mr. Ross stated he thought grcai
many had the wrong impression OF IN,
present Board OF Education. He said tina
nc had been member for from twelve
to fifteen years and could state that poll
ties had played no part in the business o
the board during any Of those years. IL,
thinks the Board of Education is gettinl
Z along very well as II is.
He said under the present charter wo
2 men we're allowed to vote at the schoo
board elections and to also sit in tn,
board He thought q member boar,
could look after the schools much bette
e than small board.
r Mr. Ross Asked Questions.
State Senator George w. Sparks wa
present and when called on said he ha,
b no remarks TO make. but would like t,
ask Mr.. Ross why the Board Of Education
needs tventy-four members when CIT,
Council has but twelve.
Mr.. Ross thought the duties Of tn
e Board Of Education members we're NOR
d numerous than Councilmen. but Senate
, Sparks differed with him on that point
Mr.. Ross explained why members desir
TO return 10 the Board OF Education. IL
= said it was not for money and though
II was because Of the pleasure in tn
7 work.
: Mrs. Warner stated that number o
prominent citizens have expressed an in
l. terest in the proposed charter. Amonl
Judge George Gray. John Blggs. DR.. Eva
G. shortlidge. Colonel II. A. DUPONT an
the Revs. II. w. Wells and a. T. BowseT