Evening star., 1909-07-16
BRUCE IS EXONERATED
Charges Dismissed by Board
of Education.
ALL REGARDED AS VAGUE
Opinion of the Assistant District
+. Attorney.
SHAKE-UP IN C0LORED SCHOOLS
z. c. Williams Appointed Principal
Of NJ Street High school-Nalle
to Retain Place.

Complete exoneration for Roscoe Conk-
ling Bruce, assistant superintendent of
colored schools, against whom charges
were recently filed, was the action of the
board of education at its meeting In the
Franklin School building yesterday after.
noon.
The school board dismissed by unani
nous vote the charges against the col
ored assistant superintendent and ap-
proved his recommendations for shake
UP in the colored public schools which
involved the reduction of ". t. S. Jack
son. principal of the NJ Street High
School
Principal of M Street School.
E. c. Williams, librarian and instructor
in Adelbert College of the Western Re
serve University. has been appointed
principal of the NJ Street High School. to
succeed Mr.. Jackson, who becomes a
teacher of mathematics in the school
AS regards Mr.. Williams qualifications
as principal. Charles F. Thwing, presi-
dent of Western Reserve University,
SAYS:
Mr.. E. C. Williams is considering the
question of retiring from the librarianship
of this college (AdelberD. Mr.. Williams is
a graduate of Adelbert College of the
class of 1892, being the first scholar.
Soon after graduation he became con-
nected with this library, and was pres
entity promoted to its headship. At the
time of the establishment OF the library
school. four years ago. he became in
structor in photography, reference works,
criticising and selection of books. In
particular as reference librarian l be-
lieve him the best in Cleveland and
among the best of my Librarians. AS a
ha ic a1t ir1nr "a We
successful. Mr.. Williams is also a good
friend; especially delight in his friend
ship.
in any place which he is willing to ac-
cept Mr.. Williams will give a good ac
count of himself"
Bruce Exonerated.
The dismissal by the board Of the
charges against Asst. Supt. Bruce fol-
lowed the reading of an opinion of the
charges by the attorney for the board,
Assistant United States Attorney F.
Sprigg Perry. After giving a general re-
view of the power of the board to try it's
officers and appointees on charges, and
of the specific specifications in the
charges against Mr.. Bruce, Attorney
Perry concludes:
THE charges however, in the petition
are ague and uncertain. and do not con-
tain such matter as would warrant the
superintendent or the board of educa-
ton IN charging the dSSlStdilL SuptllllcuO-
ent with improper conduct.
"All questions relating to the profess
sional qualifications of the assistant SUI
perintendent and all questions relating to
the policy of the assistant superntend-
ent in dealing with the colored schools Of
the District of Columbia are matters over
which the superintendent of public
schools and the board of education OF
the District of Columbia have control alb
solutey. Their discretion, and their dis
cretion alone, determines these matters.
Should ii be found that the assistant
superintendent or any of the principals or
teachers of the public schools of the Dis
trict of Columbia professionally dis
qualified from acting as such, or il their
mana cement of the schools or classes
committed to their charge is against the
policy of the board. such assistant SUI
perintendent, principal or teacher can be
dismissed by the board of education upon
the written recommendation of the SUI
perintendent of schools, without a trial.
If the superintendent of schools and the
board of education are satisfied with the
qualifications and policy of Mr. Bruce,
they need take no action whatever upon
the charges submitted against him.
AS soon as this opinion had been read
by Harry O. Hine. secretary to the board,
r. r. Horner moved that the charges
against Mr.. Bruce be dismissed. The mo-
tion was seconded by Mrs. Mary Church
Terrell. and when put to a vote by Presi-
dent Oyster was passed unanimously.
One important change in the adminstra-
tion of the colored schools proposed at
the last board meeting was withdrawn by
Assistant Supt. Bruce and Supt. Stuart
at yesterdays sesson-the reduction of
Supervising Principal John C. Nalle. This
withdrawal received the Endorsement of
the committee on elementary schools, was
approved by the board, and Mr.. Nalle
will therefore continue as supervising
principal.
In Withdrawing the recommendation for
Mr. Males reduction, Assistant Supt
Bruce said:
Il have the honor to request that the
recommendations for the reduction of Mr..
j. c. Nalle from supervising principal to
principal of the Lincoln School, and for
the promotion of A. c. Stafford. presented
to the board of education at its meeting
July l. 1909, be Withdrawn with the under
standing that Mr.. Males continuance in
the position of supervising principal is
conditional upon his maintaining rea-
sonable standard of efficiency in the bus-
ness administration and the educational
supervision proper to the Office"
Approving this recommendation, Supt.
Stuart said to the board:
Il approved the recommendation of
Assistant Supt. Bruce for Males re-
duction because / believed 1t TO be in
the interest of better service for the
schools. and l am still of this mind. l
am willing, however, to submit the ac-
companying request of Mr.. Bruce for a
withdrawal of this recommendation in the
hope that there may be no further dere
liction on the part of Mr.. Nalle in the
exercise of his official duties.
In approving the recommendation for
the reduction OF Mr.. Nalle l was not ig-
norant of the fact that he has many ex-
cellent qualities. and is deserving of some
considera ton in view of his long service
in the schools His attitude toward Off
cials has always been one of cooperation
and loyalty, far as j know and / am
willing to waive the original recommended
Jion in consideration of these facts. and
also with the underst andng that there
shall be an Improvement. particularly in
the administrative side of work, wherein
he has been at fault
When the meeting was called to order by
President Oyster, Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mus
sey and Mrs. j. r. Hill, both of whom
are out Of the city. were the only absen,
members. petition by the thirteen
employees at school headquarters in the
Franklin building that they be paid semi
monthly, is done in the case of other
District employees. was favorably acted
upon by the board.
More Portable Schools.
w V. Cox. chairman of the ways and