Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-04-07
THE SCHOOL
The Charges Against Supcrin-
dent Charles Collier.

The school visitors investigating
committed are still considering the
charges preferred against Public
School Superintendent Collier, and it
is not likely hat their decision will
be made public before Monday even
ing next.
. Nothing has been disclosed, either
by hint or otherwise, to change the
idea expressed two days ago in these
columns, that the charges will not be
sustained.
1t may have been somewhat prema-
ture to have given publicity to the
matter, but many rumors were rife,
both inside and outside of the schools
concerning the progress Of the inquiry
and its probable results. Some of the
rumors were well founded, others were
wide Of the mark and if the inquiry
had not have been conducted behind
closed doors the gossipers would have
had much fewer grounds for a vast
budget Of stuff which is, to say the
least, of a very unpleasant flavor.
And, while abiding to this subject,
it may be we'll to add, that ever since
the late respected, dignifed and able
james I. Leath retired from the head
of the public schools a continual
stream Of gossip, intermixed with un-
palatable scandal, has been current in
certain circles, on the outside, Of
tricky things supposed to have been
performed within the schoolhouses of
the city. Many, and perhaps all, Of
the s~candalous hints, let it be hoped
at least, may never have occurred
but the talk spread nevertheless, and
it would have been better for the repu-
tation of all concerned if the yarns
had never started.
And if the charges which rumor
says, with fair authority, too, were
brought against Mr.. Collier had been
sustained, they would have shown him
to be wholly unit to occupy any posi-
ton in the schools, either that of
teacher or superintendent. It is,
therefore, gratifying to intimate that
the charges are not likely to be proven
true.
Nor is it intended herein to cast any
reflection upon Mr.. Scott A. Murray,
who, it has been stated, preferred the
charges against Mr.. Collier. He ex-
presses himself as much aggrieved at
the article which appeared two days
ago, which, he infers, brands him al q
slanderer and the author of a miser-
able canard. ILe claims to have been
instigated by meme by the purest mo-
tives, and had only the good of the
schools in mind when he preferred the
charges, and was also urged over and
over again by certain members of the
school board to prepare and prosecute
them. He, Of course, naturally be-
lieved them all true, and claims that a
most searching cross examination of
several hours failed to show that he's
had any malice; indeed, anything but
the best and purest possible motive IN
the course he pursued. Hemay hay Q
made a mistake, he thinks, but it was
certainly an honest error.
Mr.. Murray stands high in the esti-
nation Of a wide circle. Indeed, he
is pronounced a cultured, pure.
minded gentleman, and none could be
induced to believe him capable Of
trying to 10 anything of an unfair or
improper character. At the same
time it may be well to add here that
the charges made against Mr.. Collier
were very serious, and public rUmor
aggravated them wonderfully. Mr..
Collier is considered a gentleHlen BY
his friends, and while resting under
inputations SO grievous, his sensitive
nature must have undergone tortures
Of an indescribable character. Had
the charges been sustained, he would
have been a ruined man in the yves Of
every good citizen.
1t is therefore to be hoped that the
charges, as limited the other day, will
fall to the ground, and that all con-
cerned may be e~xonerated of sup
posed wrong doing or intentional in
justice, and that the public schools
may be managed in the future so that
there can be no occasion for mischief
lovers 70 get a chance to wag their
tongues except in praise.
They Have Comet
All the leading new styles of hats;
cloth hats for spring suits, young
mems low crown nobby Derbys, and
low round crown new STYLES soft hats.