New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-17
WORKING AGAINST JASPER
CHARGES MADE IN THE EDUCATION BOARD.
TIRE ELECTION OF TEE SUPERINTENDENT LAID


election appeared TO be confidently expected oy
majority Of the commissioners and also by large con
tincent OK both male and female teachers who Sere
present at the meeting OF the board and appaudea AL
kindly illusions to Mr. Jasper's name until Presiceh'
simmons fsrLaie all demonstrations Almost at tno
last moment the opposition to Mr.. Jasper reappeaicu
In an old ard unexpected form charge was maze
that Nj Jasper cognzant Of the immoral conduot
Of certain female teacher. and though her alleged
misconduct covered a period Of ten years, he hsa
failed to investigate the properly. The ACCUSE
ton, however, was made by anonymous person.
and iIlterso at that and Mr.. Jasper claims was e1
polrd BIZ him when II fist made some years ago.
After long and bitter debate the hoard decided BY
vote OF IL 10 TO appoint committee of five TO ID
vestfsc the charges and hold the election at the next
meeting of the board. A test vote showed that Mr.
Jasper had q majority of at least three votes, per
haps more II other resolutions had not been mixed IN
the matter at the time.
Nineteen commissioners were present at the begin
ming of the session. President simmons occupying the
chair Back Of the railing a large number 81
teachers. Mr.. Jasper in his adjoining the
commissioners Some unimportant business
first disposed OF In which, however, Superintendent
Jaspers cropped out often. In instance his
name was mentioned ny the clerk Endorsed by the
Teachers Association for reelection, and in another
by school trustees. Every mention Of his name
applauded by the teachers. That Endorsement by
the Teachers Association caught Commissioner Tam
sens attention, and It referred to Mr.. Jasper as
man Of high character and experience and peculiarly
fitted for his place." Mr. Hansen said. If he thought
1t sounded good, he would Ike to hear Il read again.
MR. sPRAGUE LEADS THE OPPOSITION.
In few moments President simmons said: Prepare
your ballots / appoint Commissioners Schmltt ard
fraud as tellcrs.S Mr.. Henry l. Sprsgue was quick
to get the floor to lead the opposition to Mr. Jasper
In long speech he declared that Mr. Jasper did not
up to what the functions Of his Office demanded
He specified one instance in which he thought that Mr.
Jasper showed that he did not know much about
manual training he should. He claimed that Mr..
Jasper had treated Kate f. Fitzebbcn so unIusty as
TO break her down. There was cooperation among
the principals Of the schools. Then he referred TO the
soulsrd and went to say that one COM
missioner had received anonymous note charging
a female teacher with immortality.
Mr. Jasper did nothing The next month another
note came, explicit and Mr.. Jasper said: Il can
do nothing The commissioners took tho case In
hand and In three weeks found full evidence Of the
woman's conduct. don't charge him with immoral
motives, but he has failed In the average demands
TO which the superintendent should reach' Mr..
Sprague then nominated John G. McNary, principal of
Grammar School No. e3, as ldea' superintendent
The announcement of the of the oppositlon's
candidate made stir, and Commissioner Tamsen said
that he glad 10 learn al last whom Mr. Jasper's OPP
ponents favored lie was especially glad to learn
that their candidate ideal man Then he do
Tended Mr. Jasper and asserted that the opposition TO
him a frivolous movement, and he challenged any
commissioner 10 bring out proofs Of Mr.. Jaspers I'M
fitness for his position
Commissioner Holt arose and read a letter from
Superintendent Jasper, to a commissioner, dated May
10. 1t was Mr. Jasper's strongest card and had 1t
been brought in later 1t might have been more effective
for in the snars that followed the letter seemed to
be lost sight of. Mr. Jasper had anticipated what
f1bf ba en-, ha had fha
letter in readiness. 1t directed to Dlstret-At-
torney Walker, formerly president Of the Board Of
Education and a copy of the letter that he had
sent TO Mr. Walker at the time of the Mr.
jasper stated in his letter that anonymous letter
had been received, charging a certain woman teacher
with immortality AT President Walkers request Mr..
Jasper had investigated the matter IL ex-
amned the teacher wrote Mr.. Jasper,
and she admitted that she had gonc West
with not her husband TO visit hor sister, and that
family. she. the accused teacher, asked me for the
charges and the name Of The accuser submitted the
and was obliged TO acquesce. President simmons
received an ANONYMOUS Ietler charging aholher female
saloon In Foureenh-st, with her brother and sister,
one Of the Commissioners asked me what was doing
Mr.. Wood next defended Mr.. Jasper, as a hard.
working, conscientious, interchangeable man. who knew
TeerrinS 10 the feaSher involved In the alleged scan
dal, pitful letter. telling how her boarding
house was watched by spies and detectives Tho idea
that the City superintendent should be employed 10
watch our teachers And she declares that these af
davts false. God bless me This womal is guile
less, and viii be acquitted If she to trial. II
thai trial takes place. John Jasper is as honest
man as there is In the city"
TO INVESTIGATE THE ACCUSATIONS
Mr.. Webb chang cd the current Of events by moving
that special committee of five be appointed to in
vcsieae the charges and that the election for Super
inendent be postponed until after the election. lie
thought that the charges grave and that the
Board was not justified in making a change until the
accusations had been investigated. Mr. Hansen
moved to lay the resolution the table, and 1t was
done by vote of IL to o. But Mr. O'Brcn frustrated
this victory for Mr.. Jasper's friends by reading a
letter that he had sent 10 MI Jasper the day before
Up TO saturday he had favored 5r. Jaspers re-eec-
his Is the letter he sent 20 Mr.. Jasper:
There has come into my possession paper recently
making certain charges against you, extending over a
period OF ten years L would like to know what In
formation has to you in with the womans
alleged misconduct within the time how long
elapsed since you first received information concerning
the charges, and what steps you have taken
Mr.. Cole announced his wish to change his VOTE
and the motion TO lay the resolution the table was
rcconsdered by vote Of IL to 10. President Sim
mons staea that the charges against Mr.. Jasper
cided, By IL TO 10, 10 have the charges investigated
and to hold the election after the investigation These
until the last: Crazy, Holt PURIFY selirman Sim
mons, Hansen, fraud, Vermilye, Welch and Wood
After the meeting Messrs. Neob Purdy. Holt, Lummis
tigation
superintendent Jasper sald after the meeting that
nls ietlor 10 hr " aker answered the charge, which
vas SCbteriuge 70 the real for trying to GUST
nm. = It's Grace movement said he What can
10 NLen "a anonymous letter comcsl The teacher
xss me inc name OF her accuser that she NAV begin
, acnon, " h1t can do! How can tell the poor
"ohaii VINO her sccL;s 2? Is, for dOat know