The Washington times., 1920-02-22
FR|CT|ONFEATURES
tc.SCHOOL HISTORY
Only Two Out Of Seven execu-
tive Heads Have Had Har-
monious Administration.

Only two superintendents out OF
seven who have served as heads OF
the District public school system
have had Administrations devoid OF
Constant nights between school otn-
GERS and the BOARD OF Education ~
wss disclosed today by an inveatifs.
tion into the records 81 the iocai
school system.
Since the Office OF superintendent
was established. in 1859, there has
been constant friction between the
board and the superintendent The
episode OF Ernest L. Thurston and
the present board can be compared
with several other occurrences con-
Hected with the schools.
W. Controversy Develops.
Alexander n. stuart and William
NJ Davidson are the only superin-
tendents who resigned their positions,
free from any disputes with the
boards OF education.
n was in 1859 when Zalma Rich
ards was named the first superin-
tendent OF schools. being appointed
blythe commissioners. His services
apparently were not successful, for
he was dropped the following year.
James Ormond Wilson became su.
perintendent in 1870. In 1885 he was
dropped from the schools by the Com
missjoners, after differences had
arisen.
The next man on the job was Will
lam Il. Powell who was appointed
by the commissioners in 1855.
Tho superintendent and the board
were legislated out Of office in 1900.
This action of Congress followed a
long investigation by the Senate Dis
trict Committee.
The new school law in 1900 took
away from the Commissioners the
right to name the superintendent, but
retained their power to appoint the
school board. This board elected A.
y, stuart. probably the most success
full superintendent OF schools Wash
ington has ever known.
Served Until 1906.
superintendent Stuart served until
July 1, 1906, when he voluntarily re-
signed because OF ill-health. He took
minor position in the schools. Dur.
ing the same year Congress passed
the organic act which gave the
judges of the District Supreme Court
the power to appoint the board.
This board was appointed early in
the year and voted unanimously to
continue Mr.. Stuart as superintendent.
but ill-health forced him to leave the
job.@
William IL. chancellor succeeded
Superintendent Stuart and took office
July 1. 1906 Members of the board
made numerous charges, among them
characterization, against him, and he
was duly tried on these charges and
dismf ssed in January of 1908.
Mr.. Stuart was made superintendent
again in 1905. resigning in July, 1911.
TO be relieved of the heavy duties of
the office. He took the position OF
director of intermediate study, and
stilfholds that job.
William NJ. Davidson, Of Omaha.
Nehs succeeded him, to resign in
1919 to become head of the Pitts
burgh school system.
Superinte ndent Thurston was elect
ed to finish his six-year term, which
ended the following June When
June came Mr.. Thurston was unani-
nously reelected, and it was not
Until 1917 that members of the board
rose in opposition to him.
He was reelected in 1917 by a vote
Of . to 1. His present term expires
June so, next.
superintendent Thurston left for
Nleyeland yesterday and will be
zone until some time the latter part
rf next week