Evening journal., 1905-02-06
MANY FAVOR NEW
SCHOOL CHARTER
New Century Club Bill Dis
cussed by H.. H. Ward and
DR.. G. Nj. Phillips
DANIEL Ross OPPOSED A CHANGE

UAhltL HUSS UPPUStU 4 LHAN6t
The proposed charter for the Board OF
Education prepared by the educational
committee Of the New-Ccntury Club. was
thoroughly discussed AT citizens meet
I ing held at the New-Century Club on sat
urday night. Former Attorney General
Herbert II. Ward. one oil tho attorneys FOL
the committee, made an address in which
he explained the advantages OF some OF
the. new provisions in tho charter Dr.
George NJ. Phillips, principal Of the S;ate
Normal School, at West Chester, also
made an address endorsing the proposed
charter.
After a discussion which followed these
addresses the following resolution was Of
fcred:
! Whereas, At a citizens meeting held al
the New-Century Club on Saturday. Feb
ruary 4. 1905, TO consider the proposed new
school charter for Wilmington. it Is here
by
Resolved, To petition the Legislature
now in session TO enact a law for the
public schools in Wilmington, providing
Tor "A small Board OF Education OF from
seven to nine members, who snai lie elect
cd at large; also for a business director
who shall be held responsible for an hon.
est and efficient discharge Of his duties
as business manager and care OF public
school property.
It was tie opinion Of many that the
/ resolution should be moro specific and or
motion of Mi. Ward It was amended by
tho meeting endorsing the charter as
prepared by the educational committee OF
the New-Century Club.
Mrs. Warner Presided.
The meeting was called TO order by Mrs
Charles I. Kent, president OF the New
Century Club, who stated that it was
under the auspices OF the educational
committee and she then introduced Mrs.
a. ID. Warner, chairman Of the commit
tee, who presided
Mrs, Warner stated that the campaign
started by the committee is not 10 reflect
upon our schools. superintendent and
teachers, who have done good work, but
II was thought that beneficial changes
could be made. The committee. she ex-
planned. had gotten together fifteen OF
twenty school charters fIom different cit
les and had made up the proposed new
charter from these. She introduced Mr
/ Ward as the first speaker
MIR. WARD explains charter.
Mr.. Ward stated that his connection
with the bill began after the material haC
been eathered. We framed the bill from
what was gathered by the committee. .My
part here he said. is not to discuss ed
ucational principles as much as to explair
the features Of this bill
THE most striking change IN the polio,
Of this bill is in the number of members
Under ihis BIZ it is proposed to have bu
seven members. A board OF education I,
no more than a board Of directors VIII,
are administering a part in a corporation
The business OF a city should be conduct
ed in a business way.
! "A board Of twenty-four is entirely TO,
large. With such largo membership 1
is really an assembly and gives too mucl
chance to indulge in politics and oratory
a board Of education is as much a bus
mess enterprise as any corporation IN IN,
city and should be conducted on the sam
principles.
The term provided for these men i
four years ana we do not think II is to-
lons. Even with this term mans las
year is his most useful as nc then has ex
perience.
There is provision in the bill tina
no member can also be a member Of cit
Council. 1t is not taxing body but
gets its revenues from Council, and thi
is thought the best way.
There is another provision whic
would prevent any member from bein
Interested in any contract given out b
tho board.
THE till has a provision for the sun
rage OF women Tree holders, and it
hoped women will take more interest /
voting"
Mr.. Ward was Of tho opinion that VIC
men should have the right TO sit in IN
boaid.
Under this law there would be a mar
ager who would have charge of a srea
deal Of the business ana the building
: The advantage of business man havin
this in charge would be that he coul
keep in touch with the affairs of IN
school properties more than the men
bers. lie shall be chosen outside of tn
BOARD
1t is provided in the law that II
superintendent term shall be for for
years For the first year he would pra,
ticaiiy be on probation and n ericler
would then serve for three more year
: making the -four.
: The nominations of members would Z
! by a petition signed by 100 voters. il
cluding women, and this would gradual
. draw out the best persons fitted for n
ofice. Under first election there woul
/ be four members elected for four year
three for two years. but after that the
would all be elected for four years.
The election would be on single TEX
at large within the city. The commit,
has considered q number OF systems Z,
elections, but came to the conclusion thi
this would be the best way and the be-
. men could be secured under this syster
The city will not be divided in district