The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-10-06
A SrhOOl.Boy's Biundcr.
HOW PROFESSORS LECTURE on THE BARTH''
EoTUNDITY WAS misunderstood AND REV
JOHN JASPER WAS QUOTED

EoTuNDITY WAS MISUNDERSTOOD AND REV.
JOHN JASPER WAS QUOTED.
Professor G.. Clinton Hanna, principal Of
The High School at Towson, Baltimore
county, in ridicuing last week the idea
OF Rev. John Jasper, OF Richmond,
that the "sun do move" was misunder-
stood by one OF the pupils, who, upon re-
turning TO his home, repeated his elratic
conception Of what had been said to his
mother. The latter reported the matter to
the School Board, at the same time stating
that Mr.. Hanna was teaching the children
inlideiity. The members OF the Board, af-
ter investigating the charges, exonerated
Mr.. Hanna from any intention to mislead
the children.
Professor Hanna was seen at the school
Thursday by Baltimore american re-
porter. and he said " In giving questions
TO the classes for daily review OF work done
during the past few weeks the question,
What are the proofs OF the earth's rotund-
typ was asked the children Of the seventh
grade. The answer TO ii was brought by
the class on thenext day; and. after it was
read TO the pupils, gave an explanation OF
the meaning, after which entered into
history OF the belief on this subject, as held
by people OF antiquity, referring to the
different persons who at various times had
advanced the then new idea OF the
earth being round. Then, referring TO
the fact as established OF the rotundity
Of the earth, / made some reference
to the many ignorant people who
still consider the earth to be fiat body,
and as a good illustration OF this referred
to the man Jasper, OF Richmond, giving
his remarks and argument. A child in the
sixth grade, only hearing this portion OF
my remarks, referring TO the ridiculous, in
noccntly told what he had heard to his mo-
ther when he returned home in the eve
ming. The lady, misunderstanding the les
son. and thinking | had made sacrllegious
remarks and had expressed a disbelief in
the Bible, made such accusation to the
School Board, who considered it fit mat
ter for investigation. The investigation
was made on Tuesday evening last by the
Board, and | was eXonerated from all
charges Of the kind"
"Will you resign!"
81 shall resign very soon, as | did not
think the charges warranted an investiga-
ton. III the Board is going TO believe and
investigate every trivial charge made
against me, then think it is time for me
to resign. There is a movement on foot,
| believe, TO try and get me TO reconsider
my determination, but / think 1t will have
no effect with mc. / have been thirteen
years building up my reputation, and
don't propose to have it suffer again the
way in which it has by the foolish charges
Just dismissed. The Board, it is true, eX-
onerated me from all blame: still there
will be a doubt remain in the minds of
some few persons that | am guilty OF teach
ing children that which no intelligent per-
son could teach"
What is the name OF the boy 2"
"That would rather moi state. Sufli-
cient it is to say that his parents are as well
known as anybody in Towson, and held
high social position"
Are you q religious man 7"
81 was born 4 Dunkard, but was raised
Catholic; that is. | was nine years in Il
Catholic boarding-school. Some time after
leaving school attended church. A few
years ago | taught class in the Sunday
school OF the Ashland Presbyterian church.
But now | am not member OF any church.
One thing j can say: have no atheistic
or Universalistic views"
ais the Bible read in your school?"
"Yes; chapter is read every morning
by one OF the young ladies, and the Lords
Prayer is rected by the entire class. Un-
like the public schools Of Baltimore, We
are not compelled to read from the Bible or
recte the Lords Prayer each morning. II
was at my suggestion that this school fol-
lowed the example OF the Baltimore
schools"
"ls the school in good condition."
"Yes; 1t is in an excellent condition.
When | took charge one year ago there
were very few scholars, and everything
was in bad order. Now we have SIX
classes. five teachers, and 2j1 scholars"
"Who compose the School Board 7"
"Messrs. Daniel Jeniier and William ;.
Keech, lawyers, and Thomas f. Brufl,
school examiner. The first intimation |
had OF the foolish affair was on Tuesday
morning last, when received letter from
Schoo-Examiner Biuff stating that the
Board would visit the school that day. a
few hours later they arrived, and stated
the object OF their visit. The pupils were
asked what ! had said on the question OF
the rotundity OF the earth. Some few re-
membered portion Of my remarks, but
not all. | then repeated what | had said
to them on the day in question, which was
exactly what have said 10 you, and they
Immediately remembered everything, and,
OF course, the Board cleared me-"