, 1884-08-22
A BIT OF HISTORY.
How Mr.. Stark Wiuuied Out of
An Examination.
The Standing of the Board on His
Candidacy.
An Opinion on the County Super
lntendent's "vindication."

At a meeting Of the Board Of Educa-
ton held in August, 1881, a resolution
was introduced that all the teachers, in
Guiding the High School Principal, be
compelled to undergo an examination be-
fore Rev. DR.. Cowhick, then County
Superintendent. from whom il was neces-
sary that they receive a certificate testify
ing to their fitness. Judge Carey was
then President of the Board: Strange to
say this resolution hung fire month after
month upon one himsy prete1t or another,
all Of which showed the ino Italian hand
of Mr.. Stark. By January, 1882, most
of the members Of the Board had grown
sick and tired of quibbling. At one meet
ing Mr.. Glover, her a member of the
Board, in utter disgust said that unless
the resolution came up for passage he
would resign his seat.
The resolution was finally passed.
Every one of the subordinate teachers
promptly appeared before DR.. Cowhick
and received the certificate to
which they were entitled. MI.
Stark came not however. On two separ-
ate occasions Mr.. Stark was formally mott
fed at his residence by DR.. Cowhick, that
he u stand an examination. A third
time he was notified in the street A
time was set for the examination. DR..
Cowhick then informed Mr., Stark that
it would be impossible for him to exam
inc him during the Week of Prayer, when
it was in progress at the Presbyterian
Church.
Days passed, and Mr.. Stark failed to
put in appearance until the midst of the
Week of Prayer he showed up. His at
tention was called to the fact that the
Doctor had informed him in advance of his
expected inability to spare the time neces-
sary for an examination at that season.
Mr.. Stark, of course, had some plausible
excuse ready, and finally induced the
Doctor to sign a paper to the effect that
he (the Doctor was unable, through lack
of time, to examine Mr.. Stark. On the
strength of this paper Mr.. Stark drew
his salary, which the Board had decided
was not to be paid to any one until he or
she had passed an examination.
A rumor was circulated soon afterward
to the effect that DR.. Cowhick said he did
not possess the necessary knowledge to
thoroughly examine Dir. Stark. Who it
was started the rumor could not be ascer-
tanned.
Soon afterward a bill was railroaded
through the Territorial Legislature which
did away Wi h the necessity of formal ex-
aminations. Mr.. Stark enthusiastically
favored this bill.
The statement that the Board of Edu-
cation stood four to two in favor of the
election of Mr.. Stark is incorrect. There
were three in favor and three against Mr..
Stark, the chairman's vote causing the
tie. Messrs. Voorhees,, Hicks and Dur
bin were in favor of eleyating the moral
and educational standard of the schools
and believed they could go far toward ac-
complishing this object by electing a new
man as Principal of the schools. They
were not opposed to Mr.. Stark as Mr..
Stark, but did not believe either in his
capability or his method of management,
and %strenuously opposed an apparent de-
termination to elect Mr.. Stark or no one.
Warren Richardson is a mighty pretty
man to come out in vindicatiJn of Stark,
isn'A he2" said a gentleman yesterday
afternoon. Although Superintendent of
Schools, he is doing as much to corrupt
public morals with his beer saloon and
gambling den attachment as any man, in
any business, can possibly do"
In this connection the appended letter
which was picked up in a badly crumpled
condition in the streets yesterday, may be
read with interest. The signature was so
badly soiled as TO be obliterated beyond
recognition. The remainder of the letter
as nearly as could be made out was as
follows
CHEYENNE, Wyo., Aug. ls.-
Dear Sir.
You have doubles not:sed that The
LEADER has come u opposing me as
Principal of the schools of This city.
While 1 do not care for the p~osision and
while l am 10th to longer bare the bur
dens / have bouru for Thirteen years,
still l Feel it do to Myself to MAINTAIN my
p%osision in face of the unwaranted attack
upon me. l am in the hands of my
friends and shall be controlled by their
judgement. May 1 ask that you will con-
suit with them and that you will a6x your
name to the petition which | am relibly
informed is being circulated in my be-
half. l may be permitted to furthur add
that | will keanly appreciate a sentiment
from you over your own signature. l do
not want the p%osision but will take it if
my friends force it upon me. My record
here | believe will beare close scrutiny.
If the atmosphere does not reach too
great a degree of frigidity, there will be
more to follow today.
The Devips Auction.