The Washington herald., 1907-07-07

after the board voted to leave the selec-
ton Of committees TO the president, Capt.
oyster announced that they would stand
as at present constituted for the time be
ing, and that all special committees would
stand until they had reported.
The meeting opened with Vlcei President
Evermann IN the chair. The two new
members OF the board, William d.
Hoover. appointed TO the vacancy created
by Admiral Balrd's resignation, and Rich
ard Horner. the colored member appointed
in place Of Dr. Atwood. were both pres
ent
Upon motion Of Mrs. Musscy.. a Tesolu-
ton was unanimously passed thanking
Admiral Baird for his efficient work, and
regretting his withdrawal from the board.
Nominations Discussed.
Prof. Evermann stated the purpose Of
eIecting a president. and there'was consid-
cradle discussion as to whetler nomina-
tions should be made. or they should pro-
Ceed 10 ballot
Mrs. AIussey suggested thattthe woman
members each cast vote for the other.
from left to right. Exception was taken
TO the immediate casting Of ballots on
the ground that some one might be Sc
lected who did not care TO serve, or that
the vote might be too scattered This
method was finally adopted. however.
after an amendment by Mr.. Cook TO the
effect that the first ballot be informal
and nominations made from 1t for a final
ballot
The secretary distributed slips and col
lected them I'm a hat after each member
had jotted down a name. Prof Evermann
appointed the two new members as tell
ers. After a quick count they announced
the vote as follows: oyster Z; Evermann,
!. and Cox, J. q motion was made that
the first ballot be accepted and made
unanimous. and was adopted.
Capt Oyster was applauded when he
took the chair, and the members laugh
ingly called for a speech.
The question was raised as 20 whether
vice president should be elected. and
when it was decided that this was the
case under the rules, unanimous ballot
was cast for Prof. Evermann without hesi-
tati5n.
Capt. Oyster Speaks.
Capt. Oyster without rising from his
chair. thanked the board in the following
words:
az wish TO say 90 you. gentlemen and
Aiies. that I appreciate this compliment
= much.
''If in my efforts in the past have been
Of any service to the children and the
schools. 1 feel that my duty has been per
formed Your compliment at this time
was entirely unexpected. and I accept it
with the feeHng that it is a compliment
and high honor bestowed by you good
people. III not undertake to make a
speech; I could sing a song if I wanted
10. but I won't
We have a duty 20 perform to the
children. Our first interest should be to
them. Everything should be done to
work iu harmony with their inter
ests We have from 1700 TO 800 teach
ers entitled 20 consideration from us. and
Yet they perform a duty to us for which
they receive compensation under orders
that might come from the superintendent
or direct from this board. which they are
expected 70 be guided by.
I'VE have had some trouble during the
past year and some protests from teach
ers as 20 the rights OF the board 20 some
of which the board has paid little atten-
ton. We appreciate the position and
realize the responsibility and duty We
have before us as a guide for us to fol-
low"
Experience VIII show.
Capt. oyster next referred 10 the
changes in the janitors. and said these
changes were made for the best interests
of the schools, and only experience will
show whether they were wise ones.
1--WE have had a new superintendent a
man Of a good deal of ability and courage
and strong in his own convictions. He
has had a trying year, and one that but
few could have stood. lie has, however.
been brave and courageous and although
he may have made some mistakes, the
board on the whole has endeavored 60
stand by him. The board should give en-
couragement TO his work. for without It
he cannot succeed.
IF he fails after this. then, TO my mind
II would be up to rs 10 get another super
intendeHt I think DT Chancellor IS an
able man; and now that he has one
years experience, it could be all he can
reasonably expect as a tryOut and It is
now up to him to 90 to work and make
d success Of his position, and that IS what
we expect Of him"
Refers TO Committee Work.
Capt. oyster next referred TO the COM
mittee work, saying that he believed that
in the past It had been rather too hur-
ried. and that this was not the proper
way TO conduct business. On many oc-
casions, he stated, members Of the board
had been presented with recommendations
TO sign hurriedly just before the board
meetings. which should have received
more careful consideration; that this rush
was undoubtedly responsible for any mis-
takes that had been made
an the future" he said. Il will insist
that they be more careful and that these
recommendations be presented in ample
time for more careful consideration.
again thank you for the honor conferred
upon me, and would ike to hear the
boards wishes in respect 10 the COM
mttees."
Committees Discussed.
a general discussion followed. Capt.
Oyster stating that he would hke the
privilege OF appointing his own COM
mittees. Il was suggested that the ap-
pointees be consulted and this procedure
was also adopted. The discussion then
turned to the number Of committees, Mr.
Cex stating that the superintendent was
IN favor of fewer committees, but that
he himself favored a greater number. The
general sentiment was with Mr.. Cox
Regular business was taken up. and
Mrs. Mussey made the announcement
that in the opinion Of the auditor for the
District and the Comptroller. the auto
matte promotion of teachers provided in
the new school law would not work
This statement was made in connection
with her report from the special com