New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-20
MIR. JASPER PUT ON TRIAL.
THE ANONYMOUS LETTER MADE PUBLIC.

MIss DODGE, HOWEVER, SAYS THE CHARGE AGAINST
MISS MASON IS BACKED BY AFFIDAVIT.
In the building of the Board of Education whers
John Jasper, superintendent Of Public schools has
been In control for nearly nine years. the special CON-
mittco began yesterday to investigate the charges
against him. Mr. Jasper present, with his eoun-
sci, ex-Commlssoner Gilbert Crawford. Commissioners
Henry {. spraguo Is conducting the investigation
Chairman Webb presided and with him at table sat
tho other committeeman, Messrs Hart Purdy Lum-
mis- and vermilye. Miss Grace II. Dodge, President
Simmons and Mr. Jasper testified. Mrs. Agnew was
also present The investigation disclosed new
startling facts It rather bore old topics concerning
which the prosecution sought 10 prove that Mr. Jasper
had failed In his duties. But Il was lively after.
noon. Aside from tho fire of questions and sharp
discussion Of the proceedings, the most interesting
feature Of tho investigation was Miss Dodge's reply
TO newspapers that have charged her with hiring
detective to dog Miss Mason. That she SAID she
never did and furthermore she had undertaken tho
investigation at the request OF President Simmons
Tho investigation was adjourned at o'clock and Will
be resumed Wednesday afternoon
Mr.. Sprague, who opened the attack on Mr. Jasper,
in tho Board equally quick begin the investi-
CATION, and read the charges. First It was charged
that under Section 1,04O OF tho Consolidation Act
Mr.. Jasper guilty Of dereliction OF duty in not
taking action In the Of Miss Mason; that he had
failed to prefer charges against tho school trustee
Andrew L. soulard that he guilty Of unjust
treatment Of the teacher Miss Kate Fitzgibbon in
compelling her to resign and last that 1t through
his Incompetence that the public school system Of
this city has fallen behind This Is the section OF tho
act upon which Mr. spraguc laid much stress: Tho
license of teacher may be revoked for any
Affecting the morality or competency of the teacher
By tho written concurrence OF two the inspectors Of
tho district in which tho teacher is employed, etc.
THAT ANONYMOUS LETTER
Miss Grace II. Dodge then took the stand. Mr..
Sprague examined her, Two letters the anonymous
one that really started the trouble tho other signed by
Mrs. L r. Jennings, and some printed evidence
thsn put in evidence The much talked about anony-
nous letter was given to the press, but the jennings
letter was withheld. 1t is charge against Miss
Mason. Tho evidence also withheld Miss Dodge
testified that she had received the anonymous letter
on January IL or IL. This is the letter 1t
from President Simmons:
Miss Doge: 1t has been q mystery for years why
such person as Virginia Mason should be allowed 10
teach under tho Board OF education, and doubly so
since Ladies' arc included In said board while she goes
anmolesed TO and from School No. 35 with Mr.. McMas
him Harlem His poor wife N 0PTe evns herself Ta
death In her homo at Sxth.aye. and Fifty irstst i.
hope to see Justice done Seeing is believing
JUSTICE
Miss Dodge testified that after receiving this letter
she showed to President Simmons and asked him to
takc charge Of It. He wrote q note to Mr. Jasper.
asking him to take charge Of it. President J. Edward
Simmons next took the stand and was asked
Q-Have you read Section ,040 Of the Consolidated
Aotf Al have
MISS DODGE GIVES HER EVIDENCE.
MISS Dodge was then recalled. She testified that
she had a talk with MI Jasper on April about tho
anonymous letter He had not Investigated the case
but had sem tho principal OF the school, Charles Gates
who said that there was nothing wrong about Miss
Mason. but that sho was pretty llvelyn Mr. Jasper
said that he had investigated the several years
ago when stephen A. Walker president Of the
Board OF Education. She to Mr. jasper to learn
who had been sent out on the case whether truant
officer or detective, and found that no one was nves-
tfgating the Mr. Jasper said that no could not
investigate tho case because 1t anonymous
letter that brought the charge he did not think IL
worth while. al did not conduct tho invesiga cation"
said Miss Dodge emphatically, "but referred It 10
the trustees Of tho Fifteenth Ward" She had two
interviews with Mr.. Jasper but did not furnish him
with names paper evidence. She asked
When you had your interview with Mr. Jasper in
April about the Mason did he ask you TO sign
your namc to the charges saying that he would then
prefer thcmf A.-Ho did.
Q.-And you refusedl Al did.
THE SUPERINTENDENT STORY.
Mr. Jasper next took the stand and made his ctato-
ment a. follows:
Miss Masons case referred to me in January by
President simmons, who instructed me 10 look into ".
1 Investigated it as far as I thought should. Two
or three weeks after had received the anonymous
letter asked Charles Gates, principal Of Miss Masons
school, whether there any rumors about Miss
Mason. He said that ne had learned that she once
entered saloon" with her brother and sister last
juno, In Fourtoenth-st., and ate fee cream.
dropped the matter She a good teacher. and
there was nothing wrong about her. thought that
investigation warranted by the letter as far
as went. The extent Of my investigation was Mr.
Gatcs's kno Wedge of the / reported TO Prcsi
dent Simmons from time TO time. but was satisfied
that there nothing in the charges. both from tho
principals knowledge and from my investigation
four years ago. / believe today ana
did then that she Is being prosecuted
1 have not road the documents IN the case given to
me on Monday by President Simmons, because they
arc unofficial The trustees Of tho school are aols
to take care of the case
Miss Dodge then requested the committees per
mission TO mako statement. She said:
I undertook the Investigation at the request ~
President simmons and with fun teller OF Tvs rvodi
and of the womans guilt and that tho evidence IA
be used for investigation / never cmpio', e,tsrs
toctlves The matter Is not one OF anony I'll moi 10
Int OF direct affidavit. II the gentismeh W." "a maj
this then l must speak myself and place 'A
ter cloarly before the public
Tho investigation then adjourned