Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-14

| UuI not go,u. III you want 10 get into business
mere go after hoop poles, or sumack, or raise
cattle; and, as Henry A. Wise said. Chase a
| stump tailed steer through the sedge patches
10 get tough beefsteak,' but don't look Tor
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SCANDAL.
Papers i'm the Case Of Miss Lewis.
and the Lively Discussion tu
the school Board.
| 1t was mentioned In the report OF the pro-
cseoings OF the meeting of tn, public school
trustees held Tuesday evening, published In
TIKI STAR the next day, that Mr.. J. F. n. WILL
kinson remarked that there were certain
reports IS to Miss c. E. Lewis a colored
teacher who recently resigned, and moved
that the vote accepting her resignation be
reconsidered. BE presented the following
LETTER FROM MISS LEWIS.
| TO tie beard, In which she says: 'T am en-
pioy ed by your body as teacher In the gram!
mar school No. l. Sumner building, from whic a
| wSS suspended by Mr.. John II. Brooks on the
stated Il has ranspire it thai @;Jhou ness
fault OF mine have become a party to a scan
dial which, 1t is said, reflects seriously upon my
on the 10th day Of April, while returning home
| from church, | was accosted In the street
Sy Mrs s,.. j. g. ,n B. Marshall who
alienated from her. and that In her
opinion bis visits to the house at which | am
boarding was the cause OF It. 1t is true that
which am stopping. but never regarded his
Visits as intended specially for me. He came to
| the house Just as any neighbor would
between whom there existed such friendliness
as there was between Mr.. Marshall S family and
| ourselves. saw him occasionally as an ordI-
nary acquaintance. knowledge OF the affair
| having reached the gentlemen who have SUPER
| vising charge OF the celored schools. three OF
| them-Messrs. Brooks, Smith and Pope-held
an INFORMAL consultation, at which 1t was de-
| ciced that. having become party to a scandal,
| whether guilty or innocent or the things where
OF was accused, my usefulness In the schools
was at an end, and they united In a recommen-
cation to me to forward Immediately my r. sig
nation or they would request the general board
to revoke my appointment. Conscious OF my
innocence, and even, II necessary, my ability to
establish 1t, and my fitness for the position In
twelve years, 1 saw the gentlemen herelnbefore
mentioned and asked that, before taking action
In this matter, full investigation be held, and,
II failed to prove my innocence, then / would
be satisfied to have my name branded
with 1nfamy. In the meantime Mrs. Mar
shall, having repented of her hasty action,
sent to the sub-board. so | have been In
formed, communication asserting that
she never intended to charge either directly or
Indirectly. that there was any improper con-
duct between her husband ana myself, and, so
FAR as can learn, completely generating me.
The subboard duly considered this letter, aud
concluded that the investigation asked for
not possess judicial power, and could not re-
quire the attendance OF witnesses Second
That public opinion demanded my retirement
from the schools. Third-That even though
l succeeded In establishing my innocence, their
action In the premises would stall be the same.
To objection No. l stated that all the parties
usual requirements In judicial proceedings. To
No. 2, that IL the expressions of sympathy
from almost an entire community were
e as an Of public
tentton In school. The third objection seemed
SO opposed to all principle Of right and justice
that deemed reply useless. They, however,
Board OF Trustees and l would in all proba-
bility be granted the trial l seek. Now, gen
temen. 1appeal to you to DO me that Justice
country. 1 believe there Is q principle In our
common law which declares that every person
shah be deemed innocent until proven guilty.
This Is all ask. My reputation, my character,
my all, is involved In this matter. IL l am
thus dealt with because of rumor which the
prosecuting witness denies, without the fair
have innocent ladies In the schools? 1 do not
ask for mercy; l wish justice. Accord me
that, and do not fear the result beg, there
ali the facts relating to this case. i also asS
that the resignation sent to Messrs. Brooks.
Smith, and Pope. dated April -, be returned to
me. hold myself In readiness TO resume my
duties In school when called upon to do So"
Mr.. Wormley presented a petition In refer
ence to the matter, signed by C. NJ. Langston.
Mamie L. Harlan Jennie Percival and thirty
other ladies, saying: 1--WE have learned that
Miss Carrie E. Lewis, a teacher In one OF the
public schools OF this city. has been ordered by
In tie event OF arefusal threatened with dis.
missal. for the verbally stated reason that her
name Is connected with rumor;' and whereas
Miss Lewis has successfully taught In this city
for twelve years. and has been refused her lust
and natural request for an investigation by the
subboard, we, the undersigned women. most
respectfully petition that the general board Will
grant Miss Lewis the right to be heard, priv
1lege never refused the lowest criminal Should
Miss Lewis be dismissed Without hearing. no
teacher is safe; for such precedent would rem
lady Of both her reputation and her means OF
earning livelihood at one fell blow"
MIR. BROOKS EXPLAINS.
Mr.. Brooks remarked that almost az sudden
as the explosion Of a bomb they found scan.
dal talked Of by parents and pupils and the
sub board, believing that the usefulness OF the
teacher was impaired, she was asked TO tender
her resignation. They advised her that they
gave no opinion. and did not wish to stir the
matter, and she had accepted the advice IL
now the board determined on holding an In.
yestigation they would have to go into family
matters, and IL would do the schools no good;
and it would only serve to keep up the talk.
Mr.Wilkinson said that the board should con-
slider that Miss Lewis had accepted the advice OF
the sub. board In writing her resignation, but
there was letter withdrawing ir and asking
an opportunity to yindicate herself She had
been teacher for twelve years, and had the
right to demand an Investigation, and II she
sustained herself she should be restored to the
schools.
MIR. Smith regretted that this subject had
been brought to the attention OF the board. SO
distasteful subject should have remained
where the b-board left it. The facts were
there had been
STREET SCENE,
and this young lady'5 name was coupled with II.
The people, including the larger female pupils
of the school, were talking OF 1t. The sub board,
on looking into the matter received communi-
cation from her In which she admitted that her
name had been connected with the affair." They
then advised her that she send In her resigna-
ton, as they were satisfied that. for the present
at least, her usefulness as teacher had been
impaired, and by keeping the matter where &c
was she could live IL down. They had not de-
nied her an Investigation, and in their action
supposed they were doing her a service. She
sent In her resignation on the 18th OF April and
on the 25th tu was followed by a communicar ion
withdrawing 1t, she having In the meantime
taken the advice OF some pretended friend If
she Insists on an investigation he would not
object; but the sub board having acted on the
subject he would object to it going to that
board again.
MR.. BROOKS OBJECTS.