Evening star., 1920-04-01
BOARD LEADERSHIP
ASKED|N 1916, SAYS
SCHOOL WITNESS
Fountain Peyton, a CoIored
Member, Discusses DR..
Van Schaick's Efforts.

DR.. John Van schaick. jr., sought to
be elected president Of the board OF
education when he was first appointed
in 1916, Fountain Peyton, colored
member Of the board. told the Senate
selact committee investigating the
public schools today.
Mr.. .,eyton said that D-t gbnsschaick
came to his efice before ne sook hts
place on the board and iEtiiliLt ted tfat
he desired to be president and would
like to have Mr.. Peyton y64e for him.
The factional fights IN the colored
schools, due in large part to the con-
troyersies over Asst. Supt. Bruce. were
described by Mr.. Peyton. He told the
committee that the situation due to
these factional fights had been very
bad" in the colored schools for long
time.
The witness said that since DR.. Van
Schaick's return from abroad he
(Peyton) had been read out OF the
party" and had not been invited to
gatherings of the board members at
board. He said he felt he was per
soma non grata" to the other menu
bers Of the board.
Asked regarding Ernest L. Thurs
toms qualifications for superintendent
of schools. the witness said he hardly
felt oualified to pass on that question,
hmt his belief was that Mr.. Thurston
made "a very creditable superfntend--
ent."
"Knockers Got Busy"
Mr. Peyton told the committee that
ba vas q LAWYER and had taken q law
course in Harvard. In 1913, ne sai1.
Chief Justice Clabaugh took up with
him the matter Of appointment to the
board Of education. Mr.. Peyton said
that he never heard from It. because
it leaked out and the knockers got
busy.x 80,
whether he had mixed In any OF the
that his only interest in the schools
was that Of parent. He said that
Justice Siddons wanted him TO go on
the board. A day or two aIterward'
he said. he received notice OF nis ap-
pointment.
Mr.. Peyton said that the situation
in the colored schools here had been
bad for long time. There are Two
factions. one pro- Bruce and the other
aoylGrsIS; aow he said, than ever. s
The witness testified that he went
on the board with an open mind and
that for a year he worked along all
right with Assistant Superintendent
Bruce.
that the charges against Bruce might
in the spring Of 1876"
'Who brought the charges against
BruceT asked Senator Harrison.
''It was an experience / had myself
with Bruce. After twenty five years
experience as lawyer, I am not in
clined to be influenced by rumors. II
made up my mind that they would
have to show me before I would take
any stock in the charges against
Bruce.
Experience With Job Hunters.
'.After I went on the board in 1915
tacks by job hunters. They used to
approach me nearly every night. A
Miss Blanche Brown, who am told Is
since dead, and who lived near me in
LIE Droit Park. wanted to get niece
Of hers into the night schools. ! told
her she would have to take 1t up
with the supervisor of night schools
or Assistant Superintendent Bruce.
She replied that she could not under-
stand how some people seemed to
have no trouble getting appointments
in the schools.
"She said there was q bouncing
young widow who had lots OF COM
pany who had told her that she was
being importuned to take a place In
the schools. She would not tell me
Brown told me that the bouncing
young widow was willing to receive
her into her house so that she might
hear the opportunities addressed to
her to take place in the schools"
The witness said that he saw As
sistant Superintendent Bruce go to
the house where the widow lived.
He added that he did not wish to
make any Implications against him.
He said that 1t had been reported to
him that a teacher had died suddenly
and that the one who formerly held
the Job wished to be appointed tenn
porarily.
ware excellent" said Mr.. Peyton. "and
told her I would see Mr.: Bruce about
that she was q splendid woman and
well aualifsd for ,ath the cIn,s place. :, The hs
heard part Of the conversation. About
O'Clock that afternoon thought / had
better call up Supt. Thurston also about
the matter.
"Mr. Thurston( said he wished I had
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