National Republican., 1883-10-06
A scHooLMAAM,s rRoUBLE.
Accused by Her boarding House Keeper,
and Suspended from Her Position ns
Teacher, She Brings a Suit for Libel.

Teacher, She Brings n suit for Libel.
The case of Mrs. A. A. Powell, charged with
criminal libel by Mrs. Anna M. Boston, which
will come up in the police court to-day, has
excited considerable attention, especially
among colored citizens, and, in fact, all per-
sons who arc interested in the proper conduct
of the public schools, are desirous of having
the matter thoroughly sifted. Mrs. Powell,
tho defendant, is about 80 years old and
highly respectable in appearance. She is the
mother of MIR. Alexander Powell, the private
messenger of President Arthur and resided
for many years in Brooklyn, N. Y, where she
was engaged in the business of keeping an in
telligenoe Office She is possessed of property,
and lives in very comfortable house, No.
1923 Madison street.
Mrs. Anna nj. Boston, the plaintiff, Is tho
daughter of the late William J. Wilson, at one
time cashier of the Preedmen's bank. Some
years ago she married Thomas S. Boston and
they lived together some time until ho
abandoned her and went to Chicago, whore
he has since lived. She has no children.
1t appears that when Mrs. Powell came to
Washington she boarded at the house of
Mrs. Peck where also lived Mrs. Boston and
Mr.. King. The relations between these
two are said to have been of very intimate
character and to have excited the suspicion
of Mrs. Powell to such an extent that whom,
after having moved into her oW house, Mrs.
Boston made application to board with her,
she consented to take her only upon the
stipulation that she should not receive the
visits Of King. This agreement was broken
and King visited her in her rooms
Mrs. Powell then addressed tho following
letter to School Trustee Brooks
Mr. BRooKs-Sir: Pardon the liberty taken.
While feel It duty owe to God, and to the
school, and to myself though 1t pains me to make
this statement, from no evil or personal fee ling,
n SOLEMN Statpmnnt
Mrs. Anna NJ. Boston, From her conduct i'll my
house 1t leads iue to soy she is not fit subject to
be in any school. The faots l will give when
called to do So Will go so far as TO say she and
her mother are the most untruthiul persons have
yet to meet In that particuarit would be well to
call upon Mr.. Smith Wormloy, on street, and
Mrs. Hannah Peck, of NJ street, the sister OF the
teacher, Mrs Spencer, where she boarded. Yours,
1923 Madison street northwest
Mr.. Brooks made preliminary exami-
nation of the case, at which the statements of
Mrs. Powell, Mrs. Peck, Mrs. Spencer, Mrs.
Boston, and her mother, Mrs. Wilson, were
taken, and decided that, as the charges affect
ing Mrs. Boston's reputation as a school
teacher were of such grave character, he
would suspend her and report the whole
matter to the committee on teachers of the
school board. Ho notified Mrs Boston to this
effect, and at the same time gave her the
option of resigning. She declined to resign,
and wrote Nlr.Warner. president of the school
Doaru, tne following letter:
b. H. WARNER, president of board of school
trustees-Sr: beg respectfully TO state to you,
and through you to the board of trustees that
have been suspended from school duties ut SUM
groundless and malicious charges, also unsup-
ported, made by a Mrs. Julia A. Powell.
beg to be reinstated until searching tnvesti-
gatlon is made by the full board.
Yours respectfully, ANNIE NJ. BOSTON,
170l street northwest,
The case was carefully considered by the
school board committee on teachers, who con-
cluded that they had not the judicial power
to investigate and determine the case, nor to
send for persons and papers, or summon wit
nesses and put them under oath; and that
such investigation would not settle the mat
ter nor, pending the consideration of such
scandalous conduct as was charged, would
any benefit accrue to the school or the repu-
tation of the teachers corps and public
schools by retaining Mrs. Boston in her duties,
and communicated tho result of their action
in the 70 flowing letter:
OCT. 8, 1SS3.-DIRs A. NJ BOSTON, Madam: The
committee on teachers has had in consideration
the report OF the local committee of the
you Of the following order Of the committee
| local committee of the seventh division is hereby
| approved; that Mrs Boston be invited TO resign
her position In the public schools of the District
OF Columbia, and that in event of her declining
| to tender her resignation the committee
recommend the revocation of her appointment
TO the board If you wish to avail yourself OF the
advice OF the committee TO tender your resignation,
you will please inform me, for the committee, be-
| fore the next regular meeting of the board of
trustees, which Will take place on the ninth in-
stant.
Your decision in this matter is necessary to pre-.
vent further action of the committee to carry out
the above order. Very respectfully,
JOHN ii. BROOKS,
Trustee, and Secretary to Committee.
Trustee Brooks has been summoned as n
witness before the police court, and will pre-
sent the full record of the testimony taken in
| the examination made by him.
EpEY,s Carbolic Troches cure colds and