Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-11-24
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Heated Discussion Over the Charges Pre-
ferrsd Against Janitor Samuel
Huffman.
The Adverse Majority Report Of the Com
mittes Rejectsd-BiIis Allowed
Proposed New school Build
ing-Other Business

miites Rejected-BiIis Allowed
Proposed New school Build
ing-Other Business
The regular session of the Board of Educa-
ton convened last night. with President
Burns in the chair, and all members present
but Derrickson, Doyle, Dillon and Martin
deli.
The clerk presented the October report,
| viz: Balance on hand September 20. Si3,-
235.25; received from rents, SiI.33; from
sale of old iron, etc, S6.l5; total. Sl3, PAS
0S. Disbursement: To superintendents
and teachers, S5,9i7.50; janitors, $3.50 50;
1 interest $3.50; insurance, Sl26; other con-
/ tingcnt expenses, Sl9liS; heating apparat-
Us, S2,lS5.70; other building repairs,
S2il.2i: total. S9.3l2.69; balance on hand
October 81, SS. .93O.34.
Mr.. HotchkiSS reported semi-annual in
tereSt on bonds, series Il, sold Ia y. W.
Harris 4 Co, Chicago, due Nov ~, $500.
Mr.. Lorenz moved that a catch-basin be
put in at the North building Carried.
Mr.. Miller. for the committee on law and
contracts. reported on the Azcl Smith bill
that the amount of bill be equally divided
between Smith and the Board. Adopted.
Mr.. Miller, for the committee consisting
of Miller. Cozier and Brigham, appointed
10 investigate the charges preferred against
Janitor Huffman, reported that the charges
were true. but the committee held that they
had no jurisdiction in the baStardy case.
hence the report did not cover that charge
report signed by Miller and Cozier
The report elected much discussion, in
which considerable warmth of feeling was
manifested. Mr.. Warren stated that the
same charges had been preferred against
the janitor previous to recent election; that
they were not considered sufficient To pre-
vent his election: that the committee should
specify the charges and present the proof
before the board. Mr.. Lorenz said that
the charges against the ianitor came from
leading men in the city, and he was salts
fed that they were true; that one outrage of
that kind was sufficient NJ matter when
committed; that if morals are taught in the
schools. immoral characters should not be
connected with them in any way; hence The
janitor should be discharged
Mr.. Flago said that the same charges had
been made last spring against the
janitor but that he had made
personal investigation. had inquired
of the teachers and scholars, but could find
10 one that ever heard the janitOr Use any
profane or obscene language.
Superintendent White called for the
charges. and the clerk stated in substance
that the charges embraced baStardy, using
obscene language in the presence of the |
children, and neglect of duty. Superintend- /,
ent White stated that he did not know what |
the testimony was before the committee, |
but that the teachers in the building had |
signed a statement some time ago that the |
charges against the janitor We're not true, |
and they would do SO again; that while the |
janitor might be better he is not the worst |
and he should have the benefit of fair |
hearing before he is disgraced by the action |,
of the board.
Mr.. Brigham stated that he, as member |
of the committee, did not sign |
the report, because there was no evil |
dence before the committee, as |
a committee sustaining the charges. At
this juncture Mr.. b. was charged with hay
ing used the same charges against the jan |
itor when trying to defeat him at the elec
tion. but Mr.. b. explained that he had only |
said that such reports had gotten out about |
they were true or not.
Tended the report of the committee and
stated that the evidence which had been |
presented 10 him was sufficient Ia satisfy |
him that the charges We're true. He said
there was tco much 'lally-gaging' and
'hOw-de-doing" about the report: that the |
report was made in good faith and should |
be accepted. Mr.. Warren stated that. for |
the sake of justice. the accuSers should be |
brought face TO face with the accused. that |
he should have a fair trial: that the Of |
fense of the janitor was small when COM
pared with the manner of the investl- |
cation of his case; that because he |
was not allowed to bring witnesses to teS-
tify in his defense. and no opportunity |
given 10 face his accUsers. the report should |
be rejected and the whole matter dismissed. |
Mr.. Miller admitted that he did not hunt |
up the janitOr to hear his story; that other |
committees had done the same way in other |
cases. and the report was received He
cited the Mumus case, and asked why he |
was not brought face to face with his &C.
cusers.
Mr.. Warren replied that no charges were
were made against Mumus. and hence |
there was no pretence Of investigation of
charges in that case.
Mr.. Eisenmenger asked if IT was custom
ary for lawyer to plead the innocence Of
a client after the confession Of guilt. To |
which inquiry answer was made that the |
janitor had denied the charges.
Mr.. LorenZ closed the debate with an ap- |
peal for all unprejudiced action. and for the |
acceptance of the report in order that the |
schools should be relieved of the odium |!
The vote taken resulted in the rejection of |
the report. all the members present voting |
against it but Dillon, Eisenmenger, Lorenz |
and Miller.
Bills allowed: Kidder & Bartholomew. |
erasers. SIS; Andrews. Wise & Putnam. |
supplies, S25.12: John Thompson, fixtures, |
soc; Charles o. Smith. supplies. S3l.92 /;
James Bolen. sewer-pipe, etc. Sl39.25 l.. |
J. Hickey. repair of lawn mower. $3.50
Z. J. Outright. lumber. etc, for shelves, |
81. .09; insurance, Glens Falls Co.. $500
for superintendent, teachers and janitOrs, |
as per contract
Mr.. Hotchkiss presented a resolution to
erect an eght-roOm brick school building |
on the Pearl street lot. which went over |
until the next meeting under the rule, no
tice being given by Mr.. Miller of desire
to discuss the question.
Superintendent White moved that two
new CRATES be supplied for the Oakland
Carried. Also that the Dibert,
and Central buildings be provided
with dictionaries. Carried.
Mr.. Lorenz moved that the Northern
building be provided with door-catches.
Carried. Adjourned.
THE AOJUTANT GENERAL.