Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-18
AN APPEAL TO COURT
Action of Three Oeposed En-
pI0yes of Public Schools.
FORMAL PROTESTS FILED
Proceedings Preparatory to the Legal
Contest.
SYSTEM OF CONSOLIDATION
Superintendent Chancellor Favors Mu-
nicipal Pensions for Teachers and
Will So Recommend.
SYSTEM OF CONSOLIDATION

Superintendent Chancellor stated this
morning that he had heard nothing recent
~ from either Mosheim F. F. Swartzell or
J. Il. keene, both of whom have declined to
accept the pos lions in the schools 10 which
they were transferred by the board of edu-
cation last week. He said he was sorry
they had declined, and for the good of the
schools would like to see them reconsider
their action. He would do nothing more in
either case than he has already done he
declared. and did not know what action,
II any, was contemplated by them.
Mr.. Swartzell was seen by Star report
er this morning at his residence, but he
did not care to make any statement at this
time He said in the near future he might
have something to say. A desire to offend
no one and to follow the wisest course
actuates him in taking this position, he
stated
A representative of The Star called to see
MI Swartzelrs attorney, William H. Sim
g1eton. and asked whether any legal action
was to be taken in the case. Mr. Single
ton said he was waiting to hear from his
client to determine whether or not he
would go into court to secure what he con-
siders to be his rights.
Future Of the System.
Superintendent Chancellor is turning his
ehouSHtS " TIE OF the ScnOOl SyS-
tenn of the District, now that the rush of
organization is over. After he has met
the high school principals this afternoon
at o'clock and the supervising principals
OF divisions this evening at 80 O clock for
further conference in regard to the adjust
ment OF teachers and classes, he intends
to take up the matter of the consolidation
of schools in the District mentioned in the
new school law. A meeting of the COM
b. lavr T. l.
into this question, and consists of the SUI
perfntendent of schools, ]. X. Taylor SUI
perVlslng architect of the treasury, and
Engineer Commissioner Biddle, will be
held one day toward the end of this week
DIR. Chancellor also intends to ask the
board of education to recommend to Con-
gress municipal pensions for teachers lIe
says the plan has worked spl mildly in New
Jersey, and sees no rea son why its benefits
should not be enjoyed here.
Appeal to Courts. .
Mrs Anna j. Cooper, former principal cf
the M Street High School, since dismissed
by the board, and J. B. Clark and j. L. Love,
dismissed from the positions Of supervising
principal of the tenth div.si N, ald teacher
have employed Mr.. Henry w. Blair
as their attorney, and made plans to take
their cases into court. Thu statement made
yesterday that Mr.. Love vas acting as
the first step In the legal action they each
filed formal protest to the board of &C lca-
ton Saturday last, giving a statement Of
their cases and asking that TIE beard re-
consider and rescind its action.
Mrs. Cooper said to Star reporter this
morning that she was given 10 uniarS:a I'D
by DIR. Chancellor before she was dismissed
that she would be continued as principal of
the NJ street school had not several MEM
bers Of the board and other o.licidl influence
been opposed to her.
Il was also told by two members of the
board" she said, that no Of The cand-
dates for the position passed the exam.r
ton given them by the superintendent and
yet Mr.. Jackson received the appointment"
The full texts of the three protests men,
toned follow:
Mrs. Cooper's Statement.
ITO the Honorable Board of Education of
the District of Columbia:
Respectfully represents the subscriber
Mrs. A. ]. Cooper OF Washington, D. c.,
principal Of the M Street High School, that
on the 14th day of September she received
a letter from w. s. Montgomery, assistant
superintendent of public instruction. dated
September Is, of which the following is a
copy:
of the board of education, under date Of
September II. 1905, appointing Mr.. w. T.
8. Jackson principal OF the M Street High
School. you will please forthwith deliver to
MIN ln0 Keys OI tIe DullulIlS. the TeCOTuS
and all other school property belonging
thereto. Respectfully,
"'SigneO w. s. MONTGOMERY,
Assistant Superintendent
II thereupon consulted counsel and pre-
pared the following as a protest which l
designed to file with the board as soon as
service could be made:
Against any such action of the board as
that indicated In the letter of Mr.. Mont
gomery, of which have had no notice or
knowledge, and which, IL sustained. will
result in my removal from the position
which now hold, respectfully protest.
Il have been a teacher in the NJ street
High School for nineteen years and princi-
pal thereof since the year 1901, and believe
that now hold the position by legal right
and that the board Is without power to thus
summarfly eject pe from 1t.
mo charge of incompetency or unfaith-
fulness in the discharge Of duty Is brought
against me to my knowledge, nor am
aware of the existence of any, dissatisfac-
ton with my services in your honorable
board. S.
II believe. that my removal under the cir
cumstances would be unlawful, and know
ing that 1t will be a great wrong and In
fury to my reputation. and the sacrifice of
my means Of livelihood, / respectfully re-
quest your honorable board to rescind any
action which may have been taken as fndi-
Gated in the letter from Mr.. Montgomery,
above referred to. and to continue to sup
port me in the discharge of the duties of
my position as principal of the M Street
High SChOOl, TO winch L ploOSe the most
earnest efforts OF which / am capable.
II fully expected the above protest to be
ready for delivery to your honorable board
this morning, but in my early mail 1 re-
ceived a communication, of which the fol-
lowing is a copy:
Board Of Education of the District Of
Columbia.
"'Franklin School Building
I. F." Washington, d. c., September II, 1896.
" Mrs. A. ]. Cooper. Washington, D. c.
Dear Madam: At recent meeting of
the board, upon the recommendation of the
superintendent, you were dismissed from
the public schools of the District Of Column
bia for the good Of the service.
by order of the board
WILLIAM CONNER, Secretary
Il find myself unable to comment upon
this action Of the board and will at this
time only protest most earnestly against
what believe to be a great legal and what
know to be a great personal wrong; and
do hereby appeal to the board to rescind its
action and not thus attempt to dismiss me
from the service to which l have conse-
Grated all my powers and the best years of
my life.
Il have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
(Signed) ANNA ]. COOPER.
Principal NJ Street High School,"
Mr.. ]. B. Clark's Protest.