The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-29
OPPOSE PLAN TO
REMOVE power
School Committee Went on
Record TO That Effect by Vote
THEY WOULD RETAIN CONTROL
Do Not Want Appointment Of School janI.
tors Placed In Hands Of the
City Council.
THEY WOULD RETAIN CONTROL

About the only matter presented at
the meeting of the school committee that
was beyond the ordinary in point of in
terest was the short pithy speech of Mr..
Comstock and the expression or the
sentiment Of the committee as opposed to
remove the office OF superintendent or
school property out OF the hands OF the
council body and TO place II in the hands
of the committee.
In talking OF his resolution. Mr. Com
stock aracterzed the attempt or the
general assembly as STOPPING TO some
petty low-lived politics At S:l5 the
president OF the committee called for
order and the business OF the evening
commenced
Superintendent Small presented the
nominations OF the following teachers for
permanent appointments I'm the grammar
and primary schools Philomena NJ
Johnson, 10 date from April 4, 1906 Alice
c. Brady, Cecilia A. Murray and Maude
r Perkins 10 date from April 1lth. and
Jane V. Gearin, TO date from April is
Also 20 he taken from the eligible list
the following names: Theresa "A. Don
nelly, Caroline ]. Rothemich, Emma j.
Pierce, Ellen r. Meehan, Florence J.
Thornton, Clara Moore and Millie ].
Hartley; 70 date from April S. 1895. All
OF the appointments were approved.
According 10 the report of Superin-
tendent Small the enrolment OF pupils in
the several schools OF the city al this
time is as follows: High schools, 2o94;
grammar schools, 500: primary schools,
12 SO: special schools, 26i: kindergartens,
1912, making a total of 2S.9l5.
For the committee on accounts G. f.
A. Beane reported as auditor 63 bills.
amounting 10 s26s.76 The accounts were
ordered paid Mr.. Beane also reported
that the unexpended balance now 10 the
credit OF the school department amounts
10 $500, AZ with estimated fixed charges
amounting to siss,oo9. this allowing Sl2,lli
for other accounts not yet rendered.
After the reading OF a communication
from Thomas Il. Stockwell. state commits
sioner OF schools, DIR. II. Francis Walker
presented a resolution concerning upon
Grlbet f. Whittemore, the truant officer,
power 10 issue labor certificates. Mr..
Whittemore was allowed TO explain the
provsos of the new law and the operation
Of the new certificate, and called atten-
tion 10 the increased labor necessitated
in the issuance OF the certificates.
Michael A. Rattigan offered petition
requesting the establishment OF a kinder
garten at the Veazie Street school, and
Isaac Crocker presented a similar petition
requesting the establishment OF kim
dergarten In the Niagara street district.
Dr. William +. Gleason asked for in
formation concerning a 5000 bill rendered
two years ago for crayons. and the secre-
tary was instructed TO investigate the
matter.
Superintendent Small presented his re-
port on evening high schools
The report was received and placed on
file
Mr.. Small also requested an internreta-
tion of that report of the bylaws which
relates TO the power to make assignments
and transfers OF teachers. He ques-
toned whether this permitted him to as
sign and transfer principals OF buildings,
and cited his difficulty as follows:
This language OF the new bylaws Is
identical with that of the old as amend
ed June 30, 1859 Under the old bylaws
the superintendent transferred n primary
principal from Africa street to Benefit
street in June, 1900. and the records show
that he simply reported the transfer. Two
transfers of primary principals were
made in February. 1901. which were not
reported. July g. 1902, the committee on
grammar and primary schools recon-
mended 20 the new superintendent that he
transfer certain grammar school prin-
cipals. He was not directed, authorized
or instructed; the vote was simply
recommendation.
These eases indicate that the old by
laws conferred upon the superintendent
the power 10 transfer principals. My
position is that the same language I'm
the new bylaws confers the same power"
on motion OF John w. Hogan the mat
ter was referred TO the committee on by
laws.
Just when everybody was on the point
OF making for the dressing rooms, as soon
as the motion 10 adjourn was put Mr..
Comstock gained the floor and called the
attention OF the committee 10 the CON
templated action OF the general assembly
in a biting sarcastic speech. and then pre-
sented the resolution placing the COM
mttee on record as opposing the measure
and saying that "ln the opinion of the
committee the passage OF the act would
be subversive 10 the best interests OF the
schools" The committee adopted the
resolution and then Mr. " aterman made
tie motion to adjourn.