Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-08-23
THE SCHOOL INVESTIGATION.
Examination OF Witncssss-A Long and
Tedious session-Ne DecIssl0n OF
the Trustees,

the Trustees.
The examination Of witnesses Ia the
case OF Mrs. Elizabeth Dorsey. principal
Of the Girls Public School, upon charges
of incompetency, lack Of discipline. &C,
before the trustees was continued until
after six O'Clock. Several witnesses were
examined during the evening, including
two Of the lady teachers Ia the school
Misses Carter aud Reardan. As the case
proceeded the interest seemed to Increase,
and on several occasions, the spectators
manifested their interest by clapping of
hands and stamping Of feet and with de-
risions of lauP hter st some of the oues-
lions aud answers Of witnesses, which not
only delracted from the dignity OF the
Court, but was severely criticised by
many pereons present. At the conclu-
sion of the hearing their was q general
outbreak Of "hurrah," from the crowd in
the room. and all manner of expressions
OF qualifications, which reminded one
more of political gathering than 9 court
OF inquiry, Investigating q matter Of
grave importance TO all parties concerned.
The trustees showed great deal Of pa
thence aud forbearance. and politely asked
the audience to remember that they were
IN the presence of ladies, aud such acts
were not only indecorous but very embar-
RAISING to the witnesses and the ladies pres
ent. On several occasions the Court had to
suspend the investigation until quiet was
restored. The witnesses examined In the
evening were Miss White, Miss Bertha
Gardiner, Miss Sullivan, Miss Carter and
Miss Reardan, the two latter teachers.
The main points brought by the wilt
ness g were as follows
Irregulsrity In opening school on time
was proven by Miss White. that the teach
ers were found out OF their rooms often
after o o'clock aud school not yet assem-
bled. 1t was proven that no recitations be-
gan at any time before S.45 p. M. Recess
began at 10 80; the time for preparing for
recess was taken from study hours. which
occupied from to 10 minutes. this state
ment was verified by Miss Riordan.
witness for respondent. Time allowed
for recess is Is minutes, 10y law average
time given for recess As minutes by Miss
Carter's statement; The statement made
In regard to disorder and confusion
throughout the building, interrupting the
male department was not denied by res
pendent. II was also proven that two
pupils were allowed out of the room at
the same time without permission; that
whispering was allowed, (no penalty;
that pupils could leave their seats without
permission; that whispering was allowed
during recitation; that one scholar was
allowed to knit o whole day. on the
plea of headache; others, after several
reprimands, discontinued. Although
a schedule existed It was proven
that 1t was not adhered to at any time
Arithmetic period, according to schedule.
one hour, twenty-five minutes Of which
was lost; that the lessons were heard IT.
regularly, substi tuting morning lesson
for an afternoon lesson, and vice versa;
that no homework was ever given at any
time In mathematics. as required by cur
riculum. Reasons given for skipping In
definite number of pages In History were
accommodation to pupils expecting to
leave school before book was finished,
and that pa rts Of Thalbeimer's compi-
lation (in the judgment Of the PRINCIPALLY
was not essential. Composition accord.
ING to schedule) to be brought In every
week. not enforced. Witness said she
had not brought one In since April o..
Mode of obtaining medal supposed to be
awarded for department and compositio q (;
slips of paper drawn from that, one slip
containing the word Medal.
After witnesses were examined and de.
tense made by Principal no argument
whatever was allowed to petitioners. and
the Board adjourned to meet on Monday
night, when II is expected they will give
their decision 10 the case.