The Washington times., 1906-09-30


Mrs. Terrell enters a strong defense
for the colored assistant superintendent
OF schools Size declares, in state
ment 10 The Times Of the case, that she
thinks such a statement called for ID
the interest Of the assistant superIpten-
dent and the colOred members OF the
Eoard OF Education
Statement of Mrs. Terrell.
Mrs. TerreTs statement follows:
During the last few days SO much
has been said with reference TO the
treache-y and duplicity OF the colo~ed
ESsistan- superintendent who has been
Un1ustly accused Of trying II smugEle
names of teachers to the board con-
tTary 10 the express wishes OF the
superintendent that 1 feel somebody uC-
quainIad with the facts ia tac case
should rely. Not only has the colured
assistant superintendent been grossly
nHsrepresentet but the Colcred MEM
bers of the board have come in for their
share of attention also. Il is openly as
serted that several cClOre1 members of
tie board entered into the conspiracy
with the ColOTed assistant supe-irten-
dent If they did not actually hatch the
plot themselves. Il this were The nrst
time the press Of tho city haG come out
In glarlng headlines announcing the dis
honest and mscrupulous methods to
which the assistant superintendent. End
now The coloIed members Of the beard
nave resoTteC could keep silent under
thc ALlaek, but as one or the rOIlrcG
members of the board I feel II is my
oounden duty TO do everything In my
power 10 relieve the Cololed schools 9r
these false reports
Newspaper Report Criticised.
In giving an account or the colored
assistant superintendent dupIicitv one
paper declared. 1t was directly charged
py Il member OF the board that If the
matter was sifJed 10 the bottom il
would develop that Or. Montgomery had
acted IN accordance with the EXPRESSED
wishes of certain members or the board.
When he recommended G.. X Wormlev.
Il. L. Craig. and Miss Russell for ap-
pointmenl as night school teachers. in
stead OF Bruce Evans, c. II. MadeIla.
ano MISS y. T. Jackson. as instructed
by superintendent Chancellor
IN the nTSt place J cannot believe
that any member Of the Board OF Edu-
cation would prefer a charge against
another. unless he were absolutely Ger
tain that the facts in the case var
Tanted him In taxing such a step. And
even II one member OF the beard were
sure that another had erred in tudr-
ment, cannot believe he would rush
10 the press 20 expose and accuse him.
Hut II IS unnecessary TO sift the matter
at ali to discover that for one did dis
cuss the matter OF appointing night
school teachers with DR.. MONTGOMERY.
before they were handed 10 the suDer-
intendent, just as the meeting was
called TO order last Tuesday afternoon.
IL was my privilege as a member of the
Board of Education TO discuss the mat
ter with DIT. Montgomery and my duty
10 express an opinion on the subjects
lie presented.
Approved Assistants Course.
Not only did express an opinion on
the subject. hut after listening to the
reasons for making some of the changes
suggested I told tie assistant superin-
teudeut that I heartily approved of his
course. So long as I remain on the
Board of Education I shall not hes-
tate to concern myself deeply about
every phase of our school life, nor shall
! refrain for any reason whatsoever TO
express my views l am personally
acquainted with at least two-thirds Of
cur teachers in the colored schools and
a goOdly number in the white
Having been one Of the fr-s two
women appointed 10 serve on th- Board
of Education in this city l acted in
that capacity for five years and then
resigned. so that can at least claim
biz or knowledge and a mOdiCum or
experience to guide me IN discharging
my duties today.
In commenting upon the assistant
superintendent decision 10 recommend
Mr.. Wormley for the assistant director
ship of night schools, one paper de-
cIares that he acted according to sug-
Eestions from coIored members OF the
board who were opposed 70 DR.. Ev-
ans. Concerning this alleged opposi-
zion 20 DR. Evans. / can only speak for
myself When DR.. Montgomery dis
cussed the night school appointments
with me, nothing was said by either one
of us about DR.. Evans lack of qualih-
cations TO MI that position creditably.
DR.. Montgomery did call my attention
10 The fact that DR. Evans receives 81
or' "a year as principal OF the Arm
-+N-ttNteAl 4 A-l4lllE E1Alotl. NAAAAE
Mt Normley who is competent 10 hll
that position and is a young man OF nne
character, receives but a small salary
and has a family to support.
Favorable to DR.. Evans.
Nothing viii define nv attitude to
Or Evans more clearly than the stand
I took concerning him, when the prir-
cipalship OF the Armstrong Manual
Training School was 70 be settled When
DIT. Chancellor announced that nobody
had qualified. after the examination OF
candidates who wished TO secure thar
position had been held. I was the FIRST
10 request DR.. Chancellor to reannoinr
DIT Evans principal OF the Armstrong
Manual Training School. II / had been
so bitterly opposed 20 him that re-
fused TO consider him for the assist
ant dictatorship OF night schools
should certainly have not supported him
Tor the principalshiD Of the Armstrong
Manual Training School, even though
nobody else had qualified.
Il. is clear therefore. that Their, is