Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-12
SUPPORT MRS. COOPER
FOR RETENTION AS HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL.
Patrons Hold Meeting and Adopt
Vigorous Resolutions - Associa-
lions Issue Address to Public.


NJ Street High School was held in Ebenezer
M. E. Church, 4th and d streets southeast,
last Monday evening, the object of which, 1t
was stated. being to support the movement
to retain Mrs. Anna ]. Cooper as principal
of the school. Rev. s. L. Carrothers was
elected chairman and C. E. Lane and others
stated for the purpose Of tn gathering.
On motion of DR.. G. H. Richardson a
committee on resolutions was appointed
consisting of the following: Joshua Tyler,
T. R. Speller, Rev. w. d. Jarvis and James
Patterson.
Resolutions Adopted.
The committee, reported resolutions which
set forth in the preamble that citizens,
taxpayers, patrons and parents of children
who attend the NJ Street High School have
by petition, personal interviews and letters
expressed to the superintendent of schools
our satisfaction with Mrs. A. j. Cooper's
administration of the M Street High School
and have earnestly made known to him our
wish that She be retained principal OF
that school," 1t was also asserted that DIR.
o. NJ. Atwood and another member of the
board of education as well as certain OFF,
Gals, are seemingly seeking to discount
our wishes and sentiments with the superin-
tendent and thus 10 prevent our desires
from being regarded, and without reference
Mrs Coopers retention"
The resolutions then recited that 1.-The
persons in meeting assembled request the
board of education not to allow the two
members concerned to thwart our wishes
and to put in jeopardy the welfare OF the
school by opposing Mrs. Cooper"
The second clause states: I'VE do not re-
gard DR.. Atwood as proper representative
on the board of education of the colored
people of the District of Columbia and that
we make known to the proper authorities
this sentiment"
Expression of Confidence.
The resolutions concluded with state
ment that John F. Cook had the confidence
Of the meeting and that it was the belief
of those assembled that 'in this and other
matters which concern our educational in
terests he will consider carefully our wishes
and seek to deal justly" A committee con-
sisting of Rev. S. l.. Carrothers, Rev. E. w.
Hunter, Rev. w. D. Jarvis, Charles E.
Lane, T. E. Barton, j. s. Patterson and Will
son Wood was then appointed to present to
the board of education and the justices OF
the Supreme Court of the District of Co.
lumbia the resolutions.
The members of the East Washington,
Northwest, Southwest and LIE Droit citi-
zens associations have delivered an address
to the public. stating that after careful
canvass of the unprecedented confusion,
incident to the administration of our pub
the princpalship of the M Street High
School, we find the existence of several
Criticise Certain Members.
The address then set forth that it is the
belief of the subscribers that certain men,
bers of the new board of education, con-
trary to the ethics of their long-honored
and responsible positions, appear to be
working in conjunction with certain high
officials in the administration system, con-
trary to both the letter and the spirit of the
new law, for the purpose Of circumventing
the plain intent Of Congress in passing an
act to regulate teachers salaries" 1t is then
pointed out that Congress intended, in Gre
ating a new board of education, that the
board, with a superintendent and two as
selected by the board, should make
use of the existing teaching force until such
time as the new administration could, out
Of it's own experience, justify changes" .
In the minds of the subscribers. "the new
members of the board, assisted by the Off
Gals above referred to, appear to be build
ing up a powerful ring, the purposes of
which is to thwart the wishes Of the patrons
of the school and great majority of the
taxpaying citizens"
Political Methods Alleged.
1t is charged that the political methods
alleged to be employed were formed with
a view Of controlling the appointment of
certain principals, and it was also asserted
that the measures adopted by the persons
complained Of SHOW conciusively that they
are thinking more about dividing the spoils
Of victory among their friends and wreak-
ing vengeance against their supposed enc
mics than about the good of the child
whose interests they are expected to safe
guard and protect"
Further, the subscribers assert that they
have no doubt that the methods alleged to
have been employed "by this new ring
have greatly interfered with and hampered
the new superintendent in the adjustment
of the more important matters of the school
They declare that ito the
citizen the situation presents the appear
ance of squandering the public's money
and sacrificing the proper training of our
children to the selfish rule or ruin policy
of few self-constituted leaders,"
1t is also stated that there r. every rea-
son to believe, from the assurance received
by many who petitioned and called on the
new superintendent in the interest of the
M Street High School, that his original in
tention was to have stood upon the letter
and spirit of the law, which provides that
no dismissal shall be made by the board
except upon the written recommendation
of the superintendent of the schools