The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-10
Young Man Whose Father Worked With The PaWtucks Political
Machine Made Principal Of Evening High School, OspacIAg
Nj. Connolly Who Had Previously Filled That Position
Efficiently and SatsfacoTly-OE Gormey ASKS Some
Embarrassing Questions Which Are Not Answssd.-ChaIr-
man Little Comes TO The Assistance OF Committeeman
Who Arc Intonogatsd.

There was a protracted meeting OF the
school board last evening, but the amount
OF business transacted was not great and
there was nothing OF special Importance
acted on. The most or the time was taken
UP in talk and the argument was for the
most part caused by DR.. Gormley VINO
attempted TO secure certain explanations
on action taken by different committees.
II was evident at times that these COM
rnittees did not care 10 explain, and II
was necessary for the chairman TO come
10 their support. The result was two or
three rather sharp tilts between DR..
Gormley and Chairman Little although
at all times the language used by these
gentlemen was entirely courteous.
One OF the matters that caused some
talk was the proposition for the intro
duction OF Irish history in the public
schools. IL was evident the majority MEM
bers OF the committee were glad or some
excuse for putting off any action on this
matter till after the coming election ana
20 they took the fact that there were TWO
other petitions before the board one for
German history and the other for Scotch
lhstory, as a reason for not acting now.
DR. Gormley protested against this but
his protests availed nothing and the
whole matter was put forward another
month which means that IL will not again
come up till after the election.
EVENING SCHOOLS DISCUSSED.
Another matter which caused quite a
lot OF discussion was the report OF the
committee on evening schools which In
cluded certain appointments OF teachets
for those schools This report named Ber-
nard keenan, as principal OF the evening
high school dsplacing In that position
a young man named Connolly, who has
been the principal OF the evening high
school for several years. Mr.. keenan, Is
the son OF Bernard Keenan,, who Is one OF
the trio which constitutes the inner cir
Gle OF the Republican machine In this
city. and II was evident on the face OF
II that the appointment OF his son who Is
a sophomore at Brown university was
simply a political matter.
DR.. Gormley wanted an explanation OF
this but he did not get a great deal OF
satisfaction out OF his questioning. He
declared In the course OF his argument
that Mr. Connolly was a man we'll quail
fled TO act as principal OF this school and
that Mr. Keenan, certainly had had no ex-
perience. When It was stated that seemed
wise to give the position to a young
man who was trying TO work his way
through college the doctor admitted that
II was a most admirable thing Tor a
young man 10 do this but he did not be-
lieve the city was running a charity game
and that the first consideration for man
for this position was ability because the
students at the evening high school had
right 10 demand ability as the first con-
sideration. Mr.. keenan, received the APP
pointment.
Another matter OF interest which was
acted upon was petition from the resi-
dents OF the Fairlawn district In refer
ence TO additional school facilities in that
section of the city and the COMMITTEES on
city property was authorized TO expend
a sum not TO exceed 800 for putting
room In shape IN the third floor OF the
Fairlawn school building.
The meeting was called TO order at $3.50
O'Clock with President Little in the chair
and all of the members except Mrs. Fow-
Ter and Mr.. Coughlin present The records
OF the last meeting were read and ap-
proved.
CALLED TO ORDER.
The monthly schedule or bills amount
ing to $1,000. 30 were approved and ordered
paid.
Before this was done DIR. Gormley
raised q question regarding one OF the
bills amounting TO $500 IN favor OF the
American Book Co. The Items were read
and then the doctor asked some questions
as 10 how the books had been purchased
He wanted 10 learn II the books had
Dttn dutnOTlLcu Dy TIC vi
schools but IL appeared that they had
been purchased by the committee on
books and supplies simply on memoran-
da furnished by the clerk In the office
OF the superintendent and that as mat
ter OF fact Supt. Draper had not person
ally had anything 10 do about II.
suPERINTENDENT's REPORT.
The following report was then read by
Supt. Draper:
The membership for the past month Is
bs2e 10 more than the corresponding
membership for last year The member
ship by grades is as follows: Kindergar-
ten, $50: grade /. s2s: grade ?, 7Sl; grade
3. ss7: grade T. ST. grade S, SIS: grade q,
ass: grade :. 81; grade s. 3OS, grade 3,
1se; special grade. IS; high school, 351.
The annual meeting OF the Rhode Island
Institute OF Instruction occurs Thursday.