The Washington times., 1908-09-18
Demotion of Manual Train
ing Teacher Makes SeS-
sion a Lively One.
OYSTER OPPOSED
TO INVESTIGATION
Report on New Buildings Generally
Favorable-Principal for Bright
wood-PromotionS Made.

The de.lotion of Samuel Keys. a
teacher OF iron forging in the Armstrong
School. prccipitated a lively tilt between
members at the first fall meeting OF
the Board Of Education.
After the majority Of the board had
voted to approve the superintendent
recommendation AMI denote Keys, Mrs.
Terrell and other coIorsd board mem
bers, who had been his champions, came
back with a proposition to investigate
p 1.-The Keys affair
W. V. Cox Immediately wanted TO
know IL this meant that the Schoo.
Board was 10 be dragged out" night
after night for another long investiga-
ton, as upon several occasions last
year The answer was in the negative
it being explained that the investiga-
ton Of Keys side of the affair might
be made by a committee.
President Oyster said he saw no rea-
son for approving the superintendent
recommendations and then investigate
a matter already disposed of. The three
colored members of the board and Mrs.
Mussey voted to investigate. The vote
being a tie, President oyster uttered an
emphatic NO" and there Will be no
Keys investigation.
Demanded Investigation.
Mrs. Terrell then demanded that the
principal of the Armstrong School, who
was charged with being respC nsible for
Keys demotiOn, be investigated. Again,
after vigorous protests and considerable
heated argument the motion was put
This time but three members, Horner,
Cook, and Mrs. Terrell, all COlored,
voted for the motion and the investiga-
ton Of the school will not be-
I'm all my experience 1 never have
seen the minority treated SO disrespect-
fully" said Mrs. Terrell. Something
must be done at this Armstrong School
There is more persecution and dissen-
ton there than anywhere in the system.
The demotion Of Keys IS nothing but
? persecution"
Mr.. Horner said virtually the same
thing. and advocated an investigation
and cleaning out of all the factions at
the Armstrong. Captain Oyster said
they were receiving excellent results
there. and he saw no use for continual
Investigations.
Mr. Horner asked that x he specially
noted that all colored members voted for
an investigation Keys reduction car
ries a salary reduction of about ~ per
year.
Denoted Tor Cause.
When. called upon by Mrs Terrell to
explain why Keys had been denoted
from year to year in the past, and was
now denoted, Superintendent Stuart ex-
planned that Keys case was no different
from hundreds Of others; that he had
been denoted after investigation OF his
present record. and upon the recommen-
dalton of the principal Of the school and
the assistant superintendent OF colored
The reports OF the health officer and
the fire chief upon the new buildings at
Van Ness, DeanwOOd, BriEhtWOOd and
Langdon schools were received from the
Commissioners. With the exception or
damp walls at the Langdon, which the
health officer said must be remedied be
fore the building was occupied, the new
additions were reported to be in shape
for occupancy. provided certain minor
repairs were made as soon as possible
Keep Fairgrounds Open.
The board approved a Recommendation
that the Fairgrounds should be kept
open from 3 to o'clock during the
school term. Eighteen grounds were
reported as being used during the past
summer.
The Commissioners reported the pur-
chase OF 5000 feet Of ground at the
Johnson School for the erection Of a
new building there.
The superintendent asked the board
10 look into the report Of R o. WI
marth. in charge Of child labor law
affairs at the Franklin. who reported
that there was no penalty for violation
OF sections u to 10 of the child labor
law.
Principalships were established at the
Van Ness and BrightWood Park Schools
and the action OF the board in form
ally establishing a principaIship at the
Mccormick was reSCinded.
Mr. Cox reported the following bal
ances on hand out Of the various ap-
prOpriations: Contingent expenses, SlT-
g5265: manual training, $6,00O.SS; text
books and supplies, S7,14267.
A number Of promotions, transfers,
and appointments were made by the
board. There Will be no meeting until
the second Wednesday in October. as
Superintendent Stuart reported every /
thing IN readiness for the opening of |
schools.