Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-07-01

Commissioner West appeared at the Franklin
school building at II o'clock this morning with
q stenographer, policeman and o messenger,
and began the investigation of the charges Of
Justification of pay rolls preferred by School
Trustee VIM. Birney, of the second school divis-
ion, against School Trustee Benjamin g. Love-
joy, of the first division. Mr.. Birney was at
tended by Mr.. W. Willoughby as his counsel.
Mr. Loveioy was accompanied by Messrs. Ross
Perry and Reginald Fendall.
TSese au E IT, sas
school officials, including President Baum, OF
the school board. Mi. At Lee, Supervising
cipal of the Normal school, and q number Of
teachers Ex-Trustee VIM. h. Smith, Prof
Cleveland Able and other gentlemen were
witnesses should be examined ON their voir dire
and not on oath.
A LIVELY OPENING SCENE.
Mr.. Perry called attention to the fact that
there were stenosraphers present, and asked If
these statements of witnesses were oral state
"Is that" asked Mr.. West, ian intimation
that anything is to be suppressed heree"
:. "Mr. West. If you intend to undertake to in
timidate anyone by such remarks" said Mr..
Perry, .'let me tell you right now you are mis-
taken about that. made no remark that any
body could construe into an insinuation. When
have charge to make I make it In plain
English"
Gen. West said that everything here would
MIR. Perry proceeding to speak said that 1t
was necessary in this Investigation for those
concerned to treat one another with courtesy,
as there was no rule Of proceeding. They were
there voluntarily before an officer who had no
authority and they must act with courtesy ana
not deal in personal criticism and recrimina-
tons.
"Be good enough to avoid them then, sir, If
you please" said Mr.. West.
THE CHARGES.
Mr.. Perry then proceeded to make o state
ment regarding the charges and specifications,
which are six in number. Five of them re-
ferred to the schools Of the late Miss s. F. Bart
lett. Mr.. Perry explained these five.
In January, 1882, Miss Bartlett, who had
schools, became so iii with consumption that
she could not perform her duties as teacher.
During three months OF January, February
although She did not, as matter Of fppei rem,
der the service. In April she died. 1t was
suggested that it was very heartless thing to
turn this woman, who had rendered efficient
service, out in the streets to die. Miss Nc
Queen, of the Normal school pupils, voluntarily
taught the school during the three months of
the charges that the interests of the schools had
in any way suffered. After the death of Miss
Bartlett, as it was near the end of the school
year and the school had been well conducted,
1t was thought best to let the arrangement con-
tinue till the end of the year, Miss Mcqueen,
School sen d''s 'A'' '"A0 A'p' " 'A' N''"a'
ANOTHER SHARP COLLOQUY.
Mr.. West started to interrupt Mr. Perry, say
ing: II hope the gentleman will pardon me-
81 will not pardon you," said Mr.. Perry
quickly: 'you sit here for no other purpose,
under the order of the Commissioners, than to
hear these Statements.
You are presuming upon your rights" said
tlemanly manner"
$50 far as you say ungentlemanly, retortee
Mr: Perry, you are an old man, and know
perfectly what you are"
Mr.. West said that the District Commissioners
were vested with the powers Of justices of the
II am here" said Nj. West, ITO take testi-
mony, and not to hear arguments"
Y Mr Est, again 1n.err9Pting MI ferry' said:
Il will not pardon you individually" said
Mr.. West insisted that this argument or
statement was entirely out Of place. II do say
again." he said, that it is discourteous to me.
but say that this Is dtScourteous to me-"
THE SIXTH SPECIFICATION.
Mr.. Perry then went into the sixth specifica-
ton, which related to the case of teacher
named Miss Rodier, who, Mr.. Perry stated, had
taught here for SO years in the schools. He said
that when she became enfeebled SO that she was
unable to do all the work required Of her, she
was permitted to employ Miss Blackston, a high
school graduate. When she was taken i'll, she
as a substitute, and the Charge was, that the
pay-rolls were falsifed, as Miss Rodier had not
rendered the service. Mr.. Perry said that the
Investigated, and PRONOUNCED groundless.
"By whom?' asked Mr.. West.
pronounced gaoqndless by you as I under
stand it," said Mr.. Perry.
. II think you do not properly understand it,"
Perry.
MR.. LovEJoY HAD NOT BENEFITED By HIS
ACT.
Mr.. Perry. continuing, said it was not sug-
gested that Mr.. Lovejoy had benefited In any
way by his act, or that the public schools had
suffered. Because Mr.. Lovejoy united with
teachers from absolute want these charges were
now brought against him by Mr.. Birney.
When the time for argument came, and he
Birney he would do it, truthtully and con-
scientiously. Mr.. Lovetoy was not doing new
thing. They would show that what he had
done had been done before. Mr. Lovejoy in
signing these pay-rolls had been doing some
thing, the necessity for which was not apparent
under the present regulations.
COMMISSIONERS WEST EXPLAINs.
Mr.. West stated that in the case of Miss Ne.
Queen, Mr.. Wilson has been acquitted. The
case of Miss Bartlett has never been considered.
The acquittal given by me-" he said, "to Mr..
Wilson in respect to the Mcqueen case,
charge in respect to the Bartlett case"
MIR. West asked If 1t were not the practice
that when case was heard before a referee that
no argument should be made before the
referee?
yes" said Mr.. Perry.
"Then," said Mr.. West, 81 want to say that
Mr.. Perry's address was irrelevant, inappropri-
ate and untimely. His argument is for the
public, and not for the referee"
"What have been doing !" said Mr. Perry ais
TO state--you are quite right, Sir-not to YOU
charges"
NO CRIMINAL CHARGE AGAINST Mr.. LOvEJoY.
Mr.. Willoughby said there was no charge that
Mr. Lovejoy had taken money. They had not
presented any criminal charge against Mr.
Lovejoy. This was not the place Ii they de-
sired to make such charge.
AS trustee, Mr.. Birney had deemed it his
duty to call the attention of the Commissioners
to the fact that 1t was the practice of trus-
tees to sign or certify pay rolls which did not
represent the truth. They made NO charge re.
speeding the motive of Mr.. Birney. He saw no
reason to make any limitations against Mr..
United that these pay rolls had not been signed
properly and had presented excuses. that is
that Mr.. 1ovetoy wished to give charity to this
sick and dying teacher. He did not think that
was the duty of the trustees. He objected to
Mr.. Perrys statement being considered as evil
dence.
MR. PAUL THE FIRST WITNESS
Mr.. Willoughby called, as the first witness,
Mr.. Paul, the retiring superintendent, to prove
various official papers, the bylaws, &c. When
he was about to question Mr.. Paul as to his
relations to the schools, Mr.. West interrupted
to say that there was no use of encumbering
the record With that. He should ask the wit
ness whether he had not been holding the office
Of superintendent of schools.
Mr.. Perry said he objected to Mr.. Vests CIV
ing any directions as to testimony, or making
any decision whatever, as he held posit ton