The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-03-27
PROMINENT REPUBLICAN IN TROUBLE,
4 Scandal in the Evansville Colored Pub
lie Schools.

lie Schools.
EVANSVILLE, March 24.-Tspecial. There
is large-sized chen" on in educational circles
in this city, which, coming as it does on the
eve of city election, is exciting the liveliest
interest, especially as it concerns a local
colored school teacher, who is the recognized
leader of the negro class, without whose aid
the republican party here is in hopeless
minority. Two weeks ago Mr. Edward A.
Clark, principal of the colored high school,
rendered his resignation because of his ina
bility TO control the action of Mr.. T. d. Morton,
an under-teaeher and secretary of the board of
police commissioners. He had frequently
complained of Morton to the trustees but
MOrtOn's influence averted any punishment
and he became more unbearable than ever,
even going so far, it is claimed, as to openly
drive past Clark's house several times in COM
pany with two disreputable women, thus
openly defying him. Clark resigned, but the
board thus far have taken notice OF 1t.
Last night Evans hall was crowded to the
doors with the respectable cOlored element, who
were addressed by Prof. Clark, who has been
quietly at work the past week collecting proofs
of the most damaging charges against Morton.
These charges are, in effect, that school girls
had been debauched BY Morton who in turn
told some of his male pupils of il, and induced
them also TO secure fayors from the unfortunate
victims, and that the ianitor of the school
building had been offered a bride to allow Nor
ton and two of his pupils to pass the night in
the building in company with three girls, two
white and one eOlOred. Another charge, ac-
companied with proof, was that Morton visited
an designation house and attempted TO secure
a room for the purpose OF betraying an under
teacher. Furthermore, it Is claimed that the
school-house has been the scene of midnight
orgies.
The cause which led to the open rupture be-
tween Morton and Clark the formers de-
mand on the principal TO allow him a classroom
Gs a private ROOM which was refused. Ii is a
notorious fact that several pupils have been
compelled to leave the school in shame and,
in fact, a most laWless condition exists in
the school These charges, made in a public
meeting, have created great excitement, and
Is street talk, but for some reason
the trustees are anxious to have the matter sup
of the city press. This action on their part is
creating unfavorable comment and criticism,
and while it is supposed by many that political
policy governs the board, which is republican,
there are others who boldly hint that full in
vestigatiOn will bring out some racy and shame
ful facts.
Morton has been a teacher here for many
years has forced himself forward as leader of
the negroes, and is respected and feared ac-
cordingly by the republican bosses. He is at
present, also, secretary of the board of police
commissioners. These charges have been made
at various times before but were always
pigeon-holed and the matter dropped. Morton
has been married three times within three
whom he married clandestinely at Henderson,
Ky, the day after being divorced from his sec
ond wife, and this marriage was kept a secret
for four months.