The Washington times., 1906-07-06
Letter to Board of Edu-
cation a Big Surprise
to New Mem
berS.
SECRETARY CONNER
SUCCEEDS HIMSELF
President Baird Praises Su-
perintendent'S Past Ser
vices and Voices
Regrets.

A great surprise was sprung at the
second meeting Of the Board Of Educa-
ton held this morning In the Franklin
School building, when superintendent Of
Public Schools Alexander T. Stuart. IN
a letter directed to the board. practical
: Iy refused a denomination to that posi-
ton.
Captain Oyster. when the question as
to who should be elected to succeed
: the secretary to the board. w. W. Con-
ner. arose and made motion that Mr..
Conner should be retained In that ca
paeity. This motion was seconded by
Mr. Cox and carried by a vote OF five.
Thought Stuart Would Accept.
The letter from Mr.. Stuart caused a
ripple Of excitement TO pass through the
Rssemblage for it was generally thought
that Mr. Stuart would accept a renom-
tnaton.
The members Of the board we're un-
doubtas'~ In favor Of his retention and
IL Is not unlikely that were he 10 have
signided his desire 90 serve in the capac-
1ty Of superintendent he would have re-
celved unanimous election.
Praised by President Baird.
When the letter had been read by Sec
retary ". W. Conner. President Baird
turned to the members of the board and
in a few remarks voiced his regrets at
the action taken by AIR. Stuart
He said that Mr.. Stuart had been a
faithful officer since his connection with
the public schools OF the District ana
ha D. = -Ia
dislnclination TO serve further.
Committee Assignments.
The following committee assignments
were made:
Normal and high schools-Prof. Ever
mann. DIT. Atwood, Mrs. Hill, and Mrs.
Terrell,
Text books-Prof. Evermsnn, Mrs.
HHl, and Mrs. Terrell.
Military eIairs-Capta'n Oyster, Mr..
Cox. and DR.. Atwood.
Rules and by-laws-Mr. Cox. Mr..
Oyster. and 8Ir. Cook.
IectuUes-H. A Baird, Prof. Ever
mann. and Mrs. Terrell.
Teachers and janitors-Mr. Baird, Prof.
Everrlann, ana Mr.. Cook.
Industrial education - Mr. Cox, Mr.,
Oyster, and Mrs Terrell.
Ways and means-Mr. Baird. Mr.. Cox.
and AR Cook.
Buildings and sanitatiou-Rear Admiral
Baird, DT. Atwood and MT. Cook.
Mr.. Stuart's Letter.
Mr.. stuart's letter as submitted 10 the
board was as follows;
To the Board OF Education;
1 have just completed thirty-hve
Of rr-a far Frsa n
Of Washington. having been a teach
er for six years, a supervisory prtnct-
pal for rWenty-thTee years, and the
superintendent Of schools for the past
six years
During the whole OF the period Of
my services as a supervising officer
and as superintendent, / have had
the cordial cooperation Of the great
body Of teachers. and the official sup
port Of my superiOrs, and have en-
1Oyed the personal friendship OF
nearly all the mem 0ers Of the respec-
tive Board OF Trustees. under whom
1 have served.
I desire 10 reIinquish the import
ant duties of Superintendent OF
Schools into the hands OF some one
to be chosen in your wisdom. and ask
to be assigned. on the FecOmmenda-
tiOn OF my successor, TO Il supervis-
preferably that OF Director OF the
Department of intermediate InstruC-
tiOu II this can be done without pre-
1udic6 to nyOne else.
Nearly all my experience has been
in the supervision of the instruction
IN the graded schools. and 1 am con-
hdent that I can bring to this POSI-
ton a training and spirit such as TO
Continued on Page EIevenO