Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-05-14
bur school Commissioner.

About three weeks ago absurd and slander-
Gus stories, relating to Prof. CkthoaEt, State
School Commissioner, began to appear and be
widely circulated In certain Abolition papers.
These stories, which were, for the most part
given as rumors and 10 sly inrendoes, related
to an alleged "broil with soldier" relieved
Of watch and chain when In semi. mi.oblivious
state, )" "preBented pitiable spectacleat q pub.
lie house in Newark J" "acted as II just escaped
from lunatic asylum" ''roubled with an
ugly many-legged monster called the worm OF
the still, which worm suddenly converted Itself
Into large snake and dropped down into his
boots" gGfi ~ b@sH la isI
What man for School Commissioner! What
an example for young Buckeyes! u, it
The base origin and sinister purpose of these
assaults upon Prof. Cathcsrt we're apparent from
the fret, but IL was hoped the vile slanderees
would ere long become ashamed OF themselyes.
and that some feeling Of manly honor would
wake up and prompt them to correct aud recall
their false charges. Prof. G. lie gentleman of
refined sensibilities, and has felt extremely un-
willing TO appear before the public over his own
name, or through his friends, for the purpose Of
repeling ihe murdefous cruelty involved 10
those malignant and deadly assaults upon his
reputation. Hence, finding they we're unnoticed.
those slanderere have kept at their work, and
have been getting bolder and more desperate.
The following appeared In the Journal Of this
city on Tuesdsy, May l2bh:g a%~
at TcommunlcAted.l
WILL oATHoARr Rsnas7- MANY are sorely dlsappoint
ed that infamous School Commissioner has not re-
signed his office. Every one desires and demands his
immediate resignation. The teachers ioathe the man
their profession. Democrats detest the creature who
has done 90 mnch to morty and disgrace them; while
not paper nor individual says one word In his de-
fense, The man is dead; let him be buried.
1t Is certain that he can never discharge the duties
of his oficehe must resign Let his successor be
Democrat or a Republican, Jew or Gentile, but do
not let him be drunkard nor fool. TIE PEoPLs'
Teachers loathe him! Democrats detest
him! Is dead! Must resign! Shame on the
wretch who utters these falsehoods. Suoh
slanders, if heard 10 the lowest hell, would eend
the perpetIatof downward headforemost, still
lower Hls heels, sticking up through the bot.
tom Of hell, would be his laet appearance in
public. t5e
The truth is, Mr.. CAthcart is a refined, order
ly and courteous gentleman, and 10 every re-
spect we'll fitted for the Office TO which the peo-
Pile have assigned him. In educational culture,
intellectual and moral, he ls, We believe, fully
equal to any of his predeceasors In that Office.
His health has been poor the last three or four
weeks, bus has been improving rapidly the last
day or two He was quite III In Newark OF the
time those vile sanderers accused him OF hav-
ing an attack Of deLiTium tyenuens
There was no shadow of truth In that charge.
He wac half dead from anguish and mCrtiica.
,I0n, becaute Of those vile slanders. He had
an appointment to deliver lecture In New
Phiiadelphis, but got 90 farther than Newark,
went to hotel, and called o physician, Doctor
Ha mil nj hal nh nR H 0anttaman m
of high standing in bis profession and In the
community, being inquired of 10 regard to Mr..
Cithostt, has replied in the following note:
NEWARK, May 9, 1868.
DEAR sIR:I was called in professionally to see Prof
Oahcart at the Preston House In this place, and found
him aboring under good deal Of mental depression.
The reports about his having deliriuna tTenens In
correct, he in my opinion under the influence
Of liquor.
81 c /. I. HAMILL, M. D.
We are assured by thoae who know Prof
Csthcart intimately, that he has been from bis
childhood and is now remarkably free from dis
orderly habits of any sort There are very tew
men whose lives have been marked by so few
exceptions to this rule. @
Mr.. Catbcart graduated at the Miami Uni.
vefsity In 1851, standing amoag the frat In his
clsss The twelve intervening years, and un-
iii he entered upon the duties Of the Office he
now holds, have been spent In teaching, In
which profession he has gained high reputa-
tion. Five years were spent as Professor OF
Mathematics In the Urbana University. A part
of that time, he was Dean Of the Faculty,
though the youngest member. The last four
and half years, he has had charge Of the
mathematical department. in the Dayton High
School.
Mr.. Cathcart was born and brought up In Day
ton, where he has been from his childhood, and
lie now, very highly esteemed. He 10 q MEM
ber Of the Masonic fIa.ernity In that city, and
in good standing. In the various branches OF
mathematics and the physical sciences, Prof.
Cathcart has made unusual attantments, and is
believed to have few, ii any, equals Of his age
in our State. That this Ia his just and deserved
reputation is we'll nown to q wide circle Of ed
ucated men.
It Ia admitted by bis friends with regret, that
since Mr.. Cathosrt's recent election, he has, In
consequence of large circle of new acquaint,
ances, INDUCED occs sionally In the social but
pernlcious habit of taking glass of liquor
when not needed--a habit to which he had hither-
to been an entire stranger. But It Is not known
or believed that he has In single instance been
In ttate which professional drunksrd would
call int0xcatlon. For the last three weeks
Mr.. Cathcart has entirely discontinued the use
Of intoxicating drinks on all occasions. The
people of Ohio will never have occasion to
regIe. having entrusted Prof Cathcart with the
supervision OF the educational interests Of the