The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-09-05
ALL ABOUT Mr.. DEMAREST.
Convicted Of Misconduct, His
Baekers Resort to Bill
lingsgate.
DIRECTOR PFIEGSTEN'S iNDECENcY
lie Surpasses Cannon in His Foul
Abuse of the "News' '---John
Reid Comparatively Dignifed.

The howl of indignation raised in this
city by THE JERSEY CITY NEWS over the
appointment of James Demarest to be
principal of No. % School, has nettled
more than one member of the Board of
Education.
Mr.. Charles Pfngsten is one of these.
Mr.. Phngsten is man who likes to talk
and to hear himself talk. And if there is
anything he delights in it is to read the
reports of his own speeches. But Mr..
Pfngsten is very sensitive wire puller.
1t Is his ambition to pose as "the
most popular man in the Fourth
district" So when THE NEWS, right
on the heels OF pronouncing one of his
harangues before the Board of Freehold :
ers as 'idiotic." told what sort of a man
Mr.. Pfngsten had assisted In foisting
upon the school system of this city, his
wrath was kindled. When he came down
to the Board of Education meeting last
night he was boiling over with rage, and
sought some ones scalp.
When Mr.. Pfngsten reached the build
ing he rushed into Clerk Wiseman's flee
and half straddled the rail that shuts off
Clerk WiSeman from the lobby.
HE DAMNs THE NEWS.
'sDid you see The NEWS this afternoon"
asked some one.
NEWS be id. They amt In it.n
Then Mr.. Pfngsten proceeded to wipe up
the floor with the NEWS, indulglng in a
profane flight of imaginary eloquence
that disgusted even those in whose inter
est he thought he was talking.
tits Cd d--n lying, miserable,
petty, taking sheet, and any man that
works on it is a d-n fool" he said.
ITO hill with the son - - of
Sheet
Finally Mr.. Pfngsten was gotten into
the hallway He appeared a few mo-
ments later, as though ashamed of the
disgusting exhibition he had made of
himself: he sat down by the side of the
reporter of The JERSEY CITY NEWS, and
tried to talk in a more respectful tone.
The reporter smiled at his efforts; Mr..
Pfngsten jumped up again I'm
member of the Grand Jury. and by Cd
I'll have the whole d---n crowd of you
indicted" he said in violent rage. "I've
got something in my pocket now. I'll
bet you $40 the NEWS won't publish what
Ill say to the Board tonight"
Then all hands assembled to the pretty
room above. In the 10 bby were Princf-
pal Sweeney, of the High School; Princi
pal Kelly, of No. School; Clerk James
Connolly, of the Tax Board. and several
other greater or lesser educational and
political lights
President Voorhees, was absent and Mr..
Pfngsten naturally moved that Director
John Reid take the chair. Mr.. Reid re-
sponded. Mr.. Pfngsten in his hurry to
explode his bombshell waded in. His
hair was disheveled and there was blood
in his eye. humping the desk, he
screamed
while as public Board of course, we
are expected to do business publicly"
Excuse me, Mr.. Pfngsten." inter-
ruptad Tarnnorarv chairman Raid shuf
the Board has regular order OF busi-
ness
Mr. Pflngsten sat down.
The clerk read communication from
Miss Eva N. Spooner, resigning her po-
sition us a teacher in No. Is School. Miss
Spooner is to be married.
The Board passed number of claims;
then Mr.. Reid announced that new busi-
ness was in order
MR.. PFINGsTEN THUMBS THE DESK
Mr.. Pfngsten jumped to his feet and
once more humping the desk in front of
him began
srUnder the heading of new business y
said he, 81 desire to state, as said be-
fore, our meetings are open to the public.
Nothing is transacted here that is nor
open to public inspection and that cannot
receive the light of day. What we do
see fit to adopt or approve of, we do in
the interest of the public schools of Jer-
sey City. What has led me to make these
newspaper not only criticised the action
of majority of this Board. but has been
constantly harpin9 upon that matter.
sWhether or not /, you, Mr.. President,
or any of us have done wrong in acting
as we did, we did what we thought best
in our discretion. What we did was open
to criticism, I'll admit There wasn't
anything in the matter but what was sub
ject to the criticism of the press. That it
has that right I'll not deny. But when
certain newspaper continues harping and
makes wrongful statements it's time this
Board takes some action in the matter.
'sI'm the last man to object to any
newspaper obtaining information. lwlsh
that gentleman (pointing to the reporter
of THE JERSEY CITY NEWS to be truthful;
wish that paper to be dignified in this
particular matter"
The JERSEY CITY NEWS is always
dignified and truthful, but in Difference
to Mr.. Pfingsten's loud wall for justice it
has endeavored to print his speech as
nearly as possible as he delivered it. Mr..
Pfingsten probably knew what he wanted
to say, but whether his hearers did or
not is another question.
.sIt may be out Of place to make this
explanation or assertion. But this par
ticular matter concerns yourself more
tnan me; but as colleague, sitting with
YOU as a member of the Bosrd of Educa-
tion of this city, 1t is my duty to feel that
it concerns me as much as you. ANY sar-
castle remark or criticism of your work
is as much matter Of business as your
own. L feel this interest because I be-
lieve my experience hath taught me Pm
among gentlemen. We may differ on
subject matters considerably. We may
feel, we may think, we may act differ
entity upon matters. We allow it as
gentlemen. as men and as repre-
sentatiyes. We do not feel aggreved
at one another for diversity of opinion.
But want to say one thing right here,
Mr. President, what is done in this
Boards meetings whether by you, or
me. or any Of us. shall receive its proper
consideration. Each of us exercises dis
cretion as gentlemen, as representatives.
That done, that is the end OF It, What
the newspapers may find in it to criticize,
let that be done and that the end of 1t.
But, carried beyond the bounds of