Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-04
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
he Case Of PRINCIPAL TnOpl psOn

Randolph, ID IN ana
vey, Lloyd, and Moffat-at IN, yer, Ho-
1on fne the case Of
'ourth district, whom 1t Is .Incipl OF the
nom the list Of teachers. proposed to drop
mr. q, T DC 5Se S9 ssEed make an explana
mssnsa in Of nee sold Ike to die sworn
70 bis duty His s sas %ers
ment OF. Of = dis salary is applied 70 the pay
hs atom 'G noS snosSes
Will - few months TO run, and another
wb' eeose In year. There are no duties
ssnn9 cs Ssa two asss
ants, and with the assistance OF very oolig-
ing treasurer he could get along without In
written e2aminations, he had forgot to state
that, while the 6th and 9th grades were In
the other grammar schools, there was In his
ths sh tbs ss
grade, the percentage OF the other schools
would have been raised. Witness explained
remained and reviewed In the sth graie.
Superintendent Wilson said he had look I'd
over the papers OF Mr.. Thompson and rigid
marking might reduce the total ten per cent.
Mr.. Thompson's statement was about cor
rect.
BY Mr.. Lloyd:-wDl you state your opin.
ion OF Mr.: Thompson as priucipal?
Mr.. Wilson thought 1t an unfair question,
as this was the question for the committee.
He was very thorough as a teacher.
Y. DO you regard him as a failure as
Mr.. wilson.-That is the very question
that tie committee is 10 answer.
Mr.. Mcclellan was recalled and testified
that when he came on the board he Intro
duced these rigid rules In reference to the
water closets, and that he found ii almost
impossible to Keep them In order. When the
Seaton building was completed there was
better condition OF things, and with his eff.
forts, spending five hours per day, they were
not kept in order. There were no supervis-
Gent Jsnftors the closets could be kept in
good condition, and the closets In the Sec.
ond district were In excellent condition now
Don't think the closets could be kept in good
order unless the janitor was about the build
ing during school hours.
Mr.. Hovey submitted list showing that
the Fourth district grammer commenced
with GO pupils, and there were 26 at the end
Of the year and % Withdrawals.
Mr.. Thompson explained the withdrawal
of the pupils In order, the most of them be-
ing about the close OF the year, after the
Mr.. Hovey remarked that he wished to ask
OF the personal habits OF Mr.. Thompson, and
Mr.. Thompson.-Yes, sir; water, coffee,
beer, and sometimes whisky.
Mr.. Lloyd objected, saying that the ques-
from duty, and that was all which should be
asked.
MT. Thompson remark ed that he had drank
and refused TO drink with Champlin, and he
had recently drank with Mr.. Hovey, by his
invitation. Mr.. Thompson said that he could
produce q physician who was q trustee, who
had recommended him to drink whisky oc-
casionally.
Mr. Hovey said the question was whether
the principal did not set bad example.
Mr.. Lloyd remarked that Mr.. Thompson
bad never drank in the presence of his pu'
pills, and that there was proof that Mr..
Champlin on an excursion had played cards
with the boys; and 1t was just as improper
Mr.. Champlin asked the protection of the
committee, as he had been charged enough.
Mr.. Randolph said that the charges should
After some discussion, Mr.. Champlin said
that he had been insulted several times, and
he denied that he had ever so played cards.
Mr.. Randolph said 1t was most serious
question, and should be Investigated, for a
teacher should be above suspicion.
Mr.. Dyer moved to amend Mr.. Lloyd's
motion that they inquire into his (Tnomp-
sOn's) personal habits, and the amendment
was adopted and the motion was agreed to.
Mr.. Thompson said he admitted that he
had drank various liquors in his lifetime,
with Mr.. Hovey, Champlin, and others.
Would admit that ne had been In such places,
but chiefly to take a lunch or by social invi-
tation. Was not drinker, In any sense OF
the WORD. The physicians opinion had been
confirmed; his health had improved by
more liberal course OF diet.
Mr.. Hovey handed Mr.. Thompson list
OF restaurants, and asked in how many he
had drank. Mr.. Hovey said he proposed
that he should answer or refuse to answer
MT. Lloyd objected, as Mr.. Thompson had
admitted that ne had heen in restaurants.
Mr.. Thompson said he would admit that
he had been In the most OF them during the
last two or three years, but denied that 1t
was for the purpose OF drinking, for he gen.
orally went for lunch.
Mr.. Hovey said he would call the wit
nesses.
Mr. Thompson repeated that he went into
such places generally for something to eat;
but II he was in company IL was more than
likely to get something to drink.
Mr.. Thompson hoped the same inquiry
would be made as TO the habits of other can
didates for the leadership, who had been
going round pretty freely with Mr.. Champ.
Mr.. Champlin objected, as he was not on
MT. Thompson said he would take it all
Ex-Trustee McClelland was again recalled:
Had during the past year seen Mr.. Thomp.
son drinking at q public house; he did not
think that he could say how many times he
at two n0t or tSree
places; never saw Mr.. 7. under the influence
Of liquor; Mr.. I. generally took q glass OF
Mr. dfinsine i IN the day Time or aasfar
school hours, or where any Of bis pupils
u. YoTEe AtLee testlned 70 seeing MI.
Thompson In drinking saloons; has drank
with him probably three or four times.
Mfr. Parker, the jan1tor, was recalled and
testified that he had seen Mr.. Thompson In
drinking saloons three or four times, taking
beer generally. Never saw him under the
influence Of liquor.
George Coicte testified that he had seen Mr..
Thompson go into saloons, ont drink but
orce. 1t was always in the evening.
Nm. Bdlanty7le testified that he seen Mr..
Thompson &c in restaurants. Did not see
him drink.
X. ID. Wright, OF the debating society, testi-
ned that he had no knowledge of Mr.. Thomp-
sons going to drin king saloons. Mr.. ThOmp-
son generally treated his pupils who were
well mp respectful, but sometimes he became
very irate when boys did not study.
Samuel Wood made statement TO the ef-
feet that Mr.. Thompson was sometimes vio-
lent In bis manner. The society passed a
resolution prohibiting members from using
tobacco; could not say that IL was carried
out. The use Of tobacco was interdicted In
the school, buc was INDUCED In. Had seen
him (T.) use tobacco IN the old building.
IhOS. j. Cotcie testified that he had seen
Mr.. Thompson In drinking saloons; once at
the corner of Maryland avenue and 9Th st.
ID. q. Muller declined to answer any ques-
ton affecting Mr.. Thompson, but stated that
TO the best Of his Knowledge the tobacco spit
tie is not chargeable 20 the society, at least
during the past year.