The morning call., 1890-04-15
MRS. BANNING'S WHIP.
She Is Tried in Police Court
for Using 1t on Boy.

Mrs. Frances A. Banning, principal Of the
SancheZ-sIreet Primary School, charged with
cruelty beating Charles Vanderboss, aged IS
years. with rawhde for slight infraction OF
school discipline was tried yesterday on a charge
of battery In Judge Rlx's court. The boy was
her accuser.
He was the first witness called. He said he
went 10 school during The Gay and sold pro-
granmes in theaters at night. On the afternoon
of April I'd one of his classmates asked him il
he had lost some money. He opened his purse
TO count his little savings and made noise in
clasplng the purse. Miss May Elliott, the
teacher, heard the swapping sound and called him
from his seat.
"Gve me mat purse" she demanded
I" won't" reulied Charlie; lit is niue, and you
have no right TO it,"
She asked him three times and he refused
Whereupon she sent for Mrs. Banning, who took
Inn nom the classroom INTO the library and
there beat him with whip which lie described
as ''rawhide used for horses, as thick as his
thumb at the butt and tapering TO tie point ana
very hard"
He showed the marks OF the beating 10 bis
mother and also TO Superintendent Anderson
and Director Stone. His legs were covered with
black and blue marks wnen he returned home
from school, and after informing his parents OF
what had happened he caused the principals ar
rest
Miss Elliott testified that her attention had
been attracted by The swapping OF the purse. She
asked Charlie Tor IL, but lie refused and made
some remarks which she could not remember.
Size knew nothing about the beating. as Mrs.
Banning TOOK the boy from the Classroom. She
had known the defendant for some years; they
were on friendly terms, which she hoped would
continue.
Superintendent Anderson testified regarding
the system Of punishment IN the schools. He
said that Orpoial punishment was allowed IN
boys schools, but only by The principal. There
no rule that pupils should not be .thraShed''
on the same day as The OftenSe was committed
But advice has been given 10 The principals not
10 administer corporal punishment on the same
day" said The Superintendent. There were four
marks on the boys thighs, witness SAID. He
/ Went to Mrs. Banning and inquired into The af
! fair. Saw The instrument OF punishment.
a. IL was an ordinary rawhlde," he continued
land l advised Mrs. Banning TO throw 1t IN the
fire and never such thing In the school"
He believed it better to suspend refractory
pupils than 10 infiict corporal punishment.
Director Stone Of The Board OF Education
stated that lie had seen the marks on The boys
legs. Evidently Charlie had received hard
beating.
IS Banning took the stand in her own de-
Tense. She had no malice toward the boy, al
though he was very insOlent TO her, and at one
time she believed he was about to strike her.
Tie whip was toy rdug-whip which sue had
bought IN a toy-stOIe several years age. She said
she had thrown il into The tre when advised by
Mr.. Anderson 10 do so. II was with the greatest
relu cIauce that she punished the boy, but 1t was
her duty.
After a short argument from both sides the
case was submitted. Decision was reserved
until next Thursday.