Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-16
School Bill Juggling and Fumbling

In consequence of most unfortunate
complication which prevented a proper pres
entation of the vital issues involved. the
House yesterday refused to reconsider the
vote by which in committee OF the whole II
had adopted the Foster amendment to the
fchool salaries bill placing the appointment
of the school board with the District SUI
preme Court instead OF with the Commits
sioners. AS a result the bill. with many
commendable features and establishing the
salaries of the teachers upon a properly
liberal scaIe. goes to the Senate marred by
a provision which strikes blow at the eff
fciency of the school system. That pro-
vision must be stricken from the bill by
the Senate.
The Foster amendment changed the para
graph relating to the organization of the
school board In two particulars; 1t not only
placed the power of appointment with the
District Supreme Court, but 1t eliminated
the requirement that three OF the nine men,
bers OF the board should be colored. 1t
was the latter proposition which confused
the issues and rendered a square test OF
sentiment on the appointment provision I'M
possible. As result of the haste with
which the amendment was originally
adopted and the confusion attendant upon
the closing of the session on Monday. the
previous question was ordered on the whole
amendment and a separate vote was asked
on that paragraph as 1t stood. Thus the
House yesterday found itself unable. II will
ing, TO separate the two propositions.
Those who favored the novel plan of APP
polntment refused to grant any leeway and
called for the regular order that they
secured the support for the Supreme Court
method of appointment of many members
who did not favor 1t, but believed that they
were required by their political exigencies
10 vote in favor of eliminating the colored
membership from the board
The race question interjected into
the case most unfortunately and unfairly.
The question of whether there should or
should not be colored members of the
board of education has nothing whatever to
do with the manner of the boards appoint
ment 1t has indeed not been debated in
this connection. The House was not fully
advised that 1t was before 1t for decision.
save as individual members We're enlisted
in behalf of the Foster amendment by the
private tip that there was an ethiopian in
the woodpile. AS for the power-of-appoint-
ment provision, II was not debated at all,
and the reasons against 1t were never laid
before the House by those in charge of the
bill. In short, the House took snap judg-
ment on q question which II did not under
stand. thus changing the organic act of the
school system in the most vital particular
with less consideration than was given to
the salary OF the assistant superintendent
or the pay of janitors.
Such a situation is of course intolerabie.
and IT is to be doubted whether those who
managed this bit of strategy expect to see
the results of their maneuvers worked out
In statute form. The Senate win have am
pie opportunity to correct the flaw in the
bill and 10 send it into conference in proper
form. But it is nevertheless in the last de-
gree unfortunate that a measure of such
importance could pass the House with the
most vital section Juggled through by a
trick In shape to render the whole meas
ure unacceptable to the community. how
ever desirable and necessary the features
for which the bill was drawn.