Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-05-25

rumOr only.
Mr.. Wilson inquired why Mr.. sopsr was pres
ent and asked II ne had been specially invited.
The President replied that this was q public
meeting, and Mr.; s.. Of course. had right 70
be present. II was understood at the previous
meeting that Mr.. Soper would be present.
Mr. Harris urged that as Mr.. Soper stood
branded as briber he should be allowed to
Mr.. Soper handed a letter to the secretary
from ID. Appleton & Co., which was read as
follows: IAN anonymous communication has
just appeared In the Washington STAR which
conveys the infor mstion that we have given
money and copies of the Cyclopedia to fnfin-
ence their votes We desire. without delay, to
place ourselves right in regard 10 this IN after
as we feel insuited that such An ACCUSATION
should be made against our house, whose name
mas been kept upsullied by father and sons to
TINS day, and We trust tn at the day may never
come when any of US, either In person or by
their agents, resort to any such means to iutro-
dnce books or keep books in anv of our schools
we therefore pronounce the statement a false
hooo, and Challenge the promulgator OF it to
prove it,"
Mr.. Soper remarking that he denied upon his
solemn oath the implication contained in the
affidavit OF Mr.. Hart, he asked that the follow
ing affidavit made by him be read:
81 was agent of the house of ID Appleton &
20, publishers OF Cornels Biographies, at the
time OF their introduction into the public
schools OF Washington, about two years ago,
and have been agent ever since that time. I
never gave, nor offered to give, to any member
this city any money, encyclopedias or any other
thing as an inducement TO vote for adopting or
retaining such Biographies, nor have ever
authorized any person 10 do it."
be sad the statement in regard to $500 was
made TO number of members of the board. He
bad said that the introduction of Cornell's Sc
Ties would be a matter OF $500. He called on
number of members of the board as to what
they understood IN relation to the $500.
Messrs: Richards, Mcclellan, Champlin, At
Lee, Wilson, French, and Allen regarded the
statement OF Mr.. Soper to bs that the introduc-
ton OF the book would cause an increase of his
salary to the extent Of $500, aud had no in pres
sion that a bride was intended.
Mr.. Soper.-I would like 10 ask Mr.. Hart a
few questions Mr.. IL. did this conversation
taxe place before or after dinner?
Mr.. H-Before.
Mr.. s.-.why did you remain after the insult
of bride?
Mr.. Harris objected to this question.
Mr.. Soper asked did you state that two m en-
1 wish to show that the affidavit of Mr. ii. is
worth nothing.
Mr.. Hart objected to being catechised, ami
claimed the protection of the board.
Mr. Soper declared any intention other than
20 defend himself from the imputations cast on
him by Mr.. Hart, and his character was as dear
as that of Mr.. III.
Mr.. Wilson urged that the fullest latitude he
given Mr.. 5. He had been attacked and should
nave Iull opportunity to set himself right.
Mr. Harris asked II Soper had not stated that
he invited Hart to the hotel for a purpose?
Mr.. SOCIETIES., sir; did. had a purpose
in seeing him, as well as Others, but not TO BRIDE
would like to ask Mr. Hart another question.
MIR. Hattie what does it relate?
MIR. SOp6r.-I wish TO show that his (Hart,s)
affidavit Is good for nothing.
1ir Hart declined to answer any further dues-
tons by Mr.. Soper.
Mr.. Allan suggested that there was enough
evidence in.
MIR. Woodward to Mr.. Soper:-awere the two
books cent to Mr.. Hart text-books?n
MIR Soper.-They were, sir, at the time and
ME- Hart was chairman OF the committee on
German"
Nr. Mcclellan said the charge was m ade that
Mr.. Kart.
MI. Soper said he had not received sugres-
ton from Dir. Mcclellan TO send any other than
geo grsphies. Mr.. Mcclellan was at that time
Chairman OF the committee on Textbooks He
sent the books on German because Mr.. Hart
was chairman OF the committee on German
Mr.. Wolf asked If Mr.. Hart had any charge to
make AS TO the purpose OF MIR. Soper in sending
these books.
Mr.. Hart replied he had not
MIR. Harris being present, the board returned
to the encyclopedia business.
Mr.. Harris said at the time referred to he had
been informed by letter that the encyclopedias
bad been sent. He was the managing editor of
q new paper, and the books were sent for the
purpose Of getting advertisements. He had re-
piled 70 the book house if the books were sent
they would be returned, as ne was member of
the school board.
MIR. ODriscOll wished to know whether the
books lad come to him as editor or trustee
Mr.. Bart asked Mr.. Harris whether be had
not made the statement that he had received the
books and returned them by Adams Express
company, and had the receipts.
MI Harris said he had 10 recollection OF say
ng any such thing.
MIR. Hart asked if Mr.. Harris did not say he
proposed 10 lay the matter before the board.
DIR. Harris replied he had made the state
ments TO the board just as be proposed or prom
sed to.
Mr. Wolf asked Mr. Hart if he was trv,ny to
'asten any guilt on members of the board in
this matter, or was only trying to give reason TO
Justify his anti Cor nell publication.
Mr. Hsrt.-That Is all, only to justify my
tatCment
Mir. French read the printed article, so far as
{ related 10 encyclopaedia, and asked If there
vas evidence that any other trustee than Mr.
Harris received the books.
Mr.. Hart.-Well, sir, a set of encyclopedias
we're sent to several persons.
Nr. French and other trustees.-"Ob, thu
person who got these was merely a newspaper
sditor; it is nothing unusual; IL was only to se-
,ure book notices in his paper"
Mr.. Lloyd.-Mr. Hart is taking an unjust ad.
7antage OF those who are not here.
MT. WOlT suggested that anything said about
IN absentee be not allowed to appear on the
ecOrd.
Mr.. Warner asked Mr.. Soper If it was not the
:ustom OF Appleton & Co. to send encvclope-
las TO newspapers?
Mr.. soper read circular showing such to be
he fact.
Mr.. Mcclellan read a written statement from
hr. Louis Dagger Qate of the Patriot) showing
hat the proposition had been made to give en-
'yclopediss TO the Patriot for certain notices.
md had been declined.
Mr.. French repeated the question to Mr.,
Hart, whether he knew of any trustee not an
'dltor OF q newspaper, who got a set Of ency-
,lOpedias?
Mr.. Hart said he had given all the statements
lie had.
MIR. Marche.-State the proofs of the charge
hat trustees received mileage.
Mr.. Hart.-As the parties are not now on the
BOARD refuse TO answer.
Major Richards said the subject seemed to
rave been exhausted.
Mr.. French offered the following:
Resolced by The Board Of Trustees of the Public
Schools Of the City Of Washington, That the
charges made by Mr.. A. Hart In q late com
70 the EVENING STAR, after being
'ully investigated, are, as far as the members
If the board are concerned, in no wise sus-
tained; that while Mr.. Hart may have had in.
formation which, in his opinion. warranted such
sn assumption, nothing mas been adduced that
reflects on the character of the members of this
board or upon the integrity of Mr.. Soper the
igent OF Messrs. ID. Appleton & Co.; the ques-
ion OF the 500 bride or encyclopedias being sent
here Is simply misconstruction of words.
TIE resolution was unanimously adopted, and
he board adjourned.
PUBLIC SCHOOL ExAMIEATIoNs.-The male
yrammer school of the LIST district, under the
of Prof. X. NJ. Mckee, was examined
at the Franklin building this morning. There
were but few persons present-not above a
1oZen OF the parents and friends of the pu oils.