Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-25
TO INVESTIGATE IT.
The Action Of Principal Johnston
Questioned by Citizens
FOR DISCHARGING TIE TEACHERS
The Eleventh Ward School Board Asked to
Take the Matter Up.
THE RESOLUTIONS THAT WERE PASSED

An indignation meeting of the citizens of
the Seventh, Eighth and Eleventh wards
was held at the latter schoolhouse last even
ing. Mr.. j. Charles Dicken presided, and
George Chambers acted as Secretary. The
object of the meeting was stated to
be for the purpose of ascertaining
the cause of the dismissal of
three competent teachers of the school,
Miss Forbes, Miss Payne and Miss Augh-
irbaugh. Prof. George Sleeth made short
address in favor of the teachers. He said
that they had been teaching in the school
for the past 15 years. and he stood in position
at the High School to know that the scholars
who came from them to the High School were
well up in their grade, and were among the
best scholars that came to the High
School from the city. He said
he could see no reason why the
board should take such action. He said: VI
came here as resident Of the ward to protest
against the removal Of the three teachers,
whom we know. instead of principal of the
school, whom we do not know"
William Benedict, resident of the ward for
q years, was the next speaker. He praised the
teachers for their successful work with his own
children, and could not see why the directors
would dismiss the teachers. William Dooring
ton said he had been informed that the meet
ing could avail nothing, as the board were de-
termined to stand by their action.
SPEAKING ONLY AS A CITIZEN.
Mr.. George Fleming, brother of William
Fleming, one of the Directors. said he came
there as a citizen, and could only speak in that
light. The board had elected Mr.. Johnston as
Principal, and had prepared set of new rules
to be observed by the teachers. The teachers
ignored the Principal, and therefore all disci-
pline in their rooms was lost. As Mr.. Johnston
had been elected Principal he should have full
charge of the school, and if the teachers failed
to obey his instructions they should be dis
missed.
Mr.. Elder made speech in regard to the way
the principal had been running the school since
he took charge. He thought If the conduct of
teachers was Investigated Mr.. Johnston's con-
duct should also be investigated, as some very
bad rumors we're being floated about the ward.
Several other citizens made remarks, and all
agreed that the board should have dismissed
the principal instead of the teachers.
The following resolutions were adopted:
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
WHEREAS, The School Board of our ward has
notified three of the best teachers in school of
their dismissal without giving any reasona-
BILE cause, Therefore we, the citizens as
sembled, respectfully do protest and declare
1t as the sense of this meeting that such action is
injurious to the best interest of school and of
the ward, and that the dismissal Of these teachers
without cause or explanation is an injustice to
them, is detrimental to the school and the citizens
of the ward in general
Resolved That we. respectfully request the
board to defer action the election Of teachers
to fill the vacancies until they have caused to
come before them, both the principal and the
teachers, and have made full investigation of the
the right.
Resolved. That q committee of three be ap-
pointed by the Chairman TO convey these reso!u-
tions to the Board of Directors the of this
meeting, and that they report back to subse-
quent meeting to be called by the Chairman.