The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-11
EXPELLED.
ANOTHER STAR GEE AM sER SESSION OF
TaE CITY SCHOOL BOARD.
They Think Tourne should Have needed
Polonius' Advice 70 His SON Laertcs,

They Think T0urne should Have Heedet
Posonius' Advice 70 His son Lacrtes,
Neither a borrower nor lender be-"
Last evening after Star Chamber session
lasting about two hours or so, the City Schoo
Board met in open session-wltb vacant lob
bies-and resolved to expell
p. M. ToURNE,
one Of the members of their political body.
II we have to apologize to our readers fol
our inability to relate In detail all the cir
cumstances attending the expulsion of one
OF the directors of their public schools, we
haveat least the satisfaction of publishing for
their information the true inwardness of the
ease. together with few differences which
may prove the necessity of less secrecy In the
proceedings of our Board of Public School
Directors At previous
STAR CHAMBER MEETING
of the board, IL seems that a charge was en-
tered against p. M. Tourne, one of tho oolored
members appointed ON behalf OF the State,
alleging that the said Tourne had on one or
more occasions borrowed money from some Of
the school teachers. Some of the loans, 1t
was alleged, had been redeemed whilst others
had not. The result was that committee
was appointed, consisting Of Messrs. Mitchell
Martinez and Ferguson. to investigate the
matter and report to the board. When the
a secret meeting of the School Board was
called, to take place on Wednesday, April 10.
The meeting accordingly occurred last even
ing, as stated above. and with the result men
toned.
After several attempts to obtain the exact
cause of the expulsion interviewing
two or three directors, each of whom volun-
teered the statement that Tourne had been
expelled by resolution In open session, but
neither of whom felt authorized to say what
had taken place in
THE sBoRlsr sRssIoN,
we had recourse to our recollections, already
several days old. and the assistance OF the
little bird found In nursery rhymes for his
knowledge OF all things and his Willingness
to ever tell the truth. And this Is what we
money from one of the female teachers once
to the extent Of S25. which he returned, and
on several occasions as little as 81 and So,
and even fifty and twenty-five cents. Aud
this portion OF the investigation introduces
q lamentable story Of poverty and misery In
the family Of the expelled member, and an
endeavor on the part Of the lenders TO palliate
his indiscretion Further on 1t Is found that
he ceases to borrow money himself, but the
investigation shows that his wife visits
school teachers and obtains from them the
loan of S25 on two OCCASIONS and perhaps, on
other occasions, smaller sums.
Whereupon the committee report the re
suit of their Investigation TO the School Board
In secret session assembled, and the question
of the expulsion of Tourne Is discussed, and
an opportunity given him
TO RESIGN.
which he refuses to do. An open. session oc-
ours subsequently. and a resolution is intro
duced declaring the expulsion of Tourne as a
member OF the Board of Public Schools for
conduct unbecoming O gentleman and the
dignity of member Of the School Board"
or words to that effect.
As far as we have been able to ascertain, not
even the charges or the report of the COM
mfttee were read at the open session. Hence
part OF the people at large with the details of
most interesting occurrence In the affairs of
oar public schools.
We understand that the expulsion was
there being only three dissenting votes at
most.