Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-06-11
CHAIN LIGHTNING.
TEE SCHOOL INVESTIGATION GROWS
RED HOT.
It Gets Into a Tangle Now that Puzzles
Al Hands TO UnIavel = The
Solution Postponed.

ton as to the Sacramento Grammar School.
The rooms were, as before, crowded.
The Chair ruled that the prosecution should
have the evening and ore and half hours
Saturday evening, and the defense ike time
thereafter.
Mr.. Hornblower moved that, in considera-
ton of the fact that Mr.. Mcdonald is not
now teacher in the department, his term
being out, therefore the investigation shall be
declared closed.
Mrs. Hartley and Mrs. Bassett protested
in behalf of parents of pupils, and said if
the investigation should be closed it should
be reopened as soon as Mr.. Mcdonald an
nounces that he is candidate for reelection.
Add. G, Hinkson wanted the investigation
to 60 on, and his clients wanted chance to
vindicate their charges, and not have it go
abroad that the matter has been smothered
up. 1t had been said the whole matter en-
anated from the High School, and that is an
issue
Grove L. johnson said the motion was a
surprise to him, and not made at the desire of
his client. As to the charge relative to the
High School being the originator of the prose
cution. that had been ruled out. Mrs. Hart
| icy u!Q lOb IEDItSGH6 al tIIC tettSiso VI VIZ
city, though she might speak for some. His
client thought he ought to have his side
heard. But Mr.. johnson thought That moth
ing had been shown against him yet that
would hold water If the investigation ceased
now, Mr.. Mcdonald would seek some
method, in some wey or In some tribunal, of
having his side heard.
The Board refused to close the inyestiga-
ton, Mr.. HornblOwer voting aye.
T.,
was Why did the Grammar School class
fail He should not be limited by the testi-
mony introduced by the counsel appearing,
but should investigate also in his own way,
and vote as he should believe was right and
just to the schools.
Mr.. johnson moved to strike out all testi-
mony outside of the inquiry as to whether
Mr.. Mcdonald is competent to teach arith-
metic. That was the original charge on
that the investigation was ordered, and to
that it should he confined.
The Chair explained that Mr.. Hancock
had filed charges within the time allowed,
and they justified the course taken Wednes-
day night.
| LELAND ENGLISH
Was called. He was graduate of the
| High School. Mr.. McClatchy claimed pu-
pills had been ruled out. Mr.. English said
he was not now q pupil in a public school,
and had not been for over year, but is
| pupil in private school. The Board refused
to hear Mr. English on an appeal from the
decision Of the Chair admitting him as a wit
ness.
Mr.. Hinkson asked if the ruling excluded
all who had ever been pupils.
Mr.. English addressed the Board ard said
he held a scholarship in the Business Col.
| lege, good for life, and he ceased to be pu-
pill every day at 3 P. NJ, subject to re-eutry
when he pleased. When graduated the
President of the Board said it would always
be glad to hear ex-pupils relative to the
school system and he desired to be heard.
We can show -"
Mr.. English was checked by the President.
MISS WATSON
| Was recalled, and asked as to the prevalent
custom in the school il criticising Mr. Nc
| Donald's errors in speaking.
! MIR. johnson objected to going into this
! field Of inquiry. Overruled.
Miss Watson said she had hored she would
be lett out. She didn't like Mir. Johnson's
/ tone as to the prosecution, and who was
urging it, and the feeling Involved. She
wanted to say that she had no prejudice, per-
sonsl feeling or improper sentiment regarding
! it. (Slr. Johnson disclaimed rejecting on
| her.l To MIR. Hinkson she said she had in
| her class an exercise requiring pupils to note
! anu IilAlClSC lllt GiloIS tiltJ u6dTu saw.
| For time the pupils gave the names Of those
/ they heard make errors, and she told them
| 10 give the words only, but they might use
/ her name. In the lists so reported il was
frequent to fad the errors quoted from Mr..
Mcdonald. The effect was an uahappy in
fiVence.
LOOK OCT FOR BREAKERS.
Alr. johnson here stated that he considered
the whole matter as being gone into. libel
GUS and would hold anyone responsible deal
ing in it. Mr.. McDol a / was rot a teacher in
the schools, and not under the Jurisdiction of
the Board. lie was willing to go gu as to his
qualification in arithlnetic.
Mr.. Hinkson said his side did lot propose
to be iutimidated.
Mr.. Hornblower said he did not want to be
| held responsible, and protested against fur
Their proceeding.
Mr.. McClatchy said If Air. Mcdonald was
not under investigation, then let him and his
attorney leave.
Mr.. Hinkson asked if ere under investiga-
ton had the right to dictate as 10 what the
course should be.
Mr.. johnson said he had the right to enter
his protest. aud if oveIruled he had right
to so on and make his defense still under
protest.
Mr.. McClatchy-If your client is not IN
der our jurisdiction, why are you here?
Mr.. Johnson-I have a right to be here-a
right to protest ana demur, and in law after
a demurrer is overruled the defendant has a
right to remain and protect his interests.
Miss Watson said She had always tried to
uphold The authority OF Mr.. Mcdonald. He
had said the teachers Of the school must I'M
derstand that he did not any longer propose
to shoulder responsibility Tor promotions;
that each teacher must stand and fall with
her class. 70 Mr.. Johnson)-IIad not been
subpenaed; came by request only supposed
it right 10 come i'll public inquiry if she was
asked.
JOHN +. sHEEHAN
Ia one Of the proprietors of the Daily Bee
Had published or received within two years,
he thought, manuscript OF Mr.. McDonald's.
Objected to by Director Wiemeyer and sus-
t2iled The Chair had held that il it was
within one year the witness should be heard
MIR. Hinkson said the charges referred TO
three years, and said the ruling was error and
crippled tie case. TIE matter was debated
in the warmest manner by Mr.. Hial.son and
Mr.. Hornblower, the latter holding the man
Us ript WIS the best evidence.
Nj. SheehaH-IAe manuscript IS now de-
stroYed.
Mr. Johnson-Did you hear what 1 said
about libel:
Mr.. Sbeehan-I heard some threats.
don't mind tnem.
Mr.. Hinkson protested against intimida.
ton Of witnesses.
AIr Tracy said as Mr.. Mcdonald objected
to the Board exercising jurisdiction over him,
as he is not now teacher, he would move to
adjourn until the election of teachers comes
on aud postpone the investigation until the
call Of the Chair.
Mir. Hinkson protested in behalf of the
public. The Board had invited the public to
present charges They had been made, not
in malice, but IN justice to the school system.
10 adjourn now would place the public in a
false position.
Mr.. Tracy said he would satisfy his own
conscience always and then so ahead. When
teacher under investigation objected to the
jurisdiction, &c proposed to wait until the
! Board eos jurisdiction and then have it pro-
ceed in Its own way.
Mr.. Sheehan-Within three years-tsh-
jected to and overuled). Hehad received com
n.unications every year for six years, perhaps
withja one year-not sure. He knew Mr..
Mcdonald to be an educator il high position
/ and was tbas Impressed with what he saw
come from him in manuscript. He consid
cred the manuscript grossly ungrammatical,
Tie photography bad and the composition
very doubtful, coming from man at the
head OF great school lie had been
thus impressed for years, aud he said it
now in greatest kindness t. AIr. Med 3aali.
ITO Mr. Johnson - Had to correct the
manuscript; is not q teacher has been a
. !.