The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-06-04
STUART TO RETIRE
AS HEAD Of SCHOOL
SYSTEM IN DISTRICT
Wants to Take Up Other
Work-W. M. Davidson
Possible Successor.

Alexander T Stuart is going to retire
from the office of Superintendent of the
Public Schools of the District Of CO.
lumbia.
The Washington Times told this in
February at the time that William V.
Cox resigned the presidency of the
Board of Education. The prediction was
denied at that time.
Superintendent Stuart will make formal
announcement of the fact to the Board
of Education at lis melting tomorrow
afternoon. The board will, at the same
time, it is understood, appoint William
Mehard Davidson, superintendent Of the
Omaha, Neb., public schools. to sue
coed Mr. Stuart, who will probably as
sumo the Office he had before being APP
pointed superintendent, that of director
Of intermediate instruction.
Stuart Makes Suggestions.
Mr.. Stuart and the Board of Edu-
cation are said to have had the Ques-
ton of his retirement under constdera-
ton for severa! months. Mr.. Stuart
1t is understood, suggested to the board
that he leave the SUPPLEMENTARY, to
which he was elected in January, 1911,
for a term of three years, and assume
the duties Of director of intermediate
instruction. OF that work he was most
fond, and in its performance he achiev-
ed a splendid success. He left 1t in 1900
at the request of the Board of Educa-
ton, saying he was willing to take
any position the board desired him to
take.
The board said that it desired him to
be superintendent, and Mr.. Stuart ac-
copied the place.
Mr. Stuart retired voluntarily to take
up his favorite work. While he was at
the head of intermediate instruction. he
became known and loved by thousands
of pupils He was educated in the
Washington public schools and in Co
lumbar University, and when he grad
uated from the university he at once
took a place in the faculty of the
Franklin School. That was in 1870. Ex-
cept for a brief space when he worked
for the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation, he has been an officer of the
public schools since 1870.
In one school, that on Capitol Hill, he
was superintendent, as well as super
visor of that division, from 1877 to 1890.
Those years alone proved his success
Of thousands Of Washington public
school pupils.
Took Place Eleven Years Ago.
Mr.. Stuart first became superintendent
in 1900. He served six years and went
back TO his work in intermediate in
struction. In 1908, the board called up
on him again TO be superintendent and
he served three years. Then he was
elected again to be the executive head
of the educational system of the Dis
trict in 1911, 1872 and 1913.
While the report that Mr.. Stuart is
to retire from I hseuperintendcy is
undoubtedly tue. neither he nor Capt
James F. oyster. President of the Board
of Education. would discuss the matter
today.
William Mehard Davidson, who is be.
ing talked of as Mr.. Stuarts successor
has had remarkable success as an ed,
ucator. He is forty-eight years old and
a native of jamestown, Pa. He was ed
Ucated at the Kansas State Norma
School and at the Kansas State Uni
versity, from which he received the
bachelors degree in arts in 1855 He has
been superintendent at Omaha since
1904