The morning call., 1891-04-23
O'CONNOR'S TRIAL.
The Board of Education Finally
Begins Work on 1t.
Mrs. Kinsman and Her Boy Chester Exam
ined-Deuprey's Technical Objections Over
ruled-sabin in Explanation.

AS before, the same large number OF persons
interested in the investigation Of Principal
OConnor on the charge OF having cruelty
punished Chester BInsman assembled in Judge
Wallace's courtroom last night, where the Board
of Education met for that purpose.
As soon as the Toll was called President Sabin
arose to a question of privilege, stating that he
desired to make brief explanation. He said he
had acted in good faith throughout this OCon'
nor case and as near as he knew how In accord
ance with the regulations OF the School
Department The charge that he was
acting upon prejudice ana political bias
In concerted effort to remove Principal OCon-
nor from The department, or to any way prevent
him from securing a fair and impartial trial, is
wholly unlounded. He repudlated the charge
that lie was using the presidency of the Board OF
Education as stepping stone TO future emolu-
mens. He had been beseged day and night by
both friends and enemies OF Mr.. OConnor, but
he had turned a deaf ear 10 all, with The single
determination TO see justice done.
HARVEY IN REPLY.
Harvey replied that the Presidents statement
and explanation Was good, 50 far as he was con-
cerned. He had no doubt OF the Presidents
sincerity and desire TO do the right thing by MI
OCOnnor. But the boards experience IN ms
ease had taught him lesson, and in future he
would Insist that charge against a teacher
mist be made In writing aud hied with the sec
Rotary of the board before it can be heard.
Eugene n. Deuprey, as counsel Tor Principal
OCOnuOr, was permitted 10 HE ODleCtloua ~
Hyde sitting as Chairman of the Committee OF
The Whole during the Investigation. Mr. Deu.
prey explained thai he wished 1t 10 appear OF
record that these objections were made al the
previous meeting. He also desired to he other
objections TO the proceedings simply to secure
any i gal rights thai his client might have.
Hydo'5 motion that The board again resolve
itself into Committee OF lie Whole and con-
tlnue the investigation preclpitated long con
tr0versy, but The motion was finally carried Oy
The usual vote OF 10 A. the opposing four being
Dunn, Decker, Harvey aud Woodward.
Woodward. Harvey aud Decker wanted the In
YeSugatlOn carried ON by the board.
THE HEARING PROCEEDED WITH.
hyde maintained that the charges had been
referred TO committee OF The Whole. They are
sttl there and must remain there until the COM
nlttee reports.
After Hyde had taken tile chair one hour OF
hGgg!iug resulted III bringing Haraey's mOtl on
10 vote that the connliltee proceed with the
investigation OF The FIRST charge against Principal
O'COnnUT, made by j. w. Kinsman, and that the
remaining charges be referred TO The Board OF
Educa lou TO be Investigated at Its next meeting;
carried.
sigh Of relief came from every part OF the
room upon the announcement OF this result.
Mr.. Deuprey then lnterposed his objections.
! purely technical IN nature, which Chairman
Hyde oYeTrued, and ordered tie Investigation
to proceed.
MRS. KINsAIAN TEsTIFIEs.
Mrs. Annie Klnsman mother OF the boy Ches-
| Ter, was The first wfneSs called. Her testimony
was substantially Ihe same as given in the Police
| Court when UConnor was tried. She stated that
| she whipped him herself Thursday, because
he was dsJbedent and would not go 10 school.
| Chester slept with her that night; hs wore short
! clothes, and size SAW no bruises him. She
used an Old riding whip In punishing him, Dut lie
| lodged Ter by crawling under the bed.
She struck him tHrre or four times about the
| shns. On The following day The boy went 10
| school sud was punished by OConnor When
| be came home lie threw himself on tbe bed and
complained OF feeling sore. She examined his
| BODY and found the flesh on one size "all red
| anu angry" She SAID she WAS frantic when she
| perceived his condition, aud didn't think she
| could describe It mparttally.
Before the cross-eXaminatiOn was undertaken
| Mr. Deuprey Insisted on having the boy Chester
i examined and Mrs. kinsman excluded from The
room.
DESCRIBED IN DETAIL.
| Chester's statement brought out no new facts.
! He described OCounOI's punishment In detail
and admitted that lie had been bad boy on sew
| erdl occasions. OConnor struck hlm with his
| hand on The back Of the head and al the bottom
| OF The stairs threw him down and beat him. He
! then sent for 4 rattan aud continued the beating
| striking hun he back, the arm, ON the
| side and on one leg. AlteIward lie was sent
| into the yard aud required 10 participate In the
usual school discipline.
During Mr. Deuprey's questioning he asked
| the boy whether lie had mol been very bad boy
| IN school-piaying truauI. lying aud SUCH Tie
boy had been quite Tree in his answers up 10 this
lime, but these questions filled his throat and all
| subsequent answers came between sobs and
| Win great difficulty.
a. T. Van Duzer edged up To Deuprey while
this troubled scene was going on ana protested
that II was cruel torture and should not be con
tinued
Mr.. Deuprey answered that he didn't want
any advice from THAT crank"
NO SCENEs ARE WANTED.
Van Duzer undertook TO make protest to the
board, Dut balfdOzen members jumped up
with objections and the Chair ruled That no
scenes wanted.
Instead Of recalling Mrs. Kinsman. George A.
Knight, attorney Tor the hinsmaus, called Dr.
Decker, one OF The board, and questioned him
TO The nature OF The bruises found on the boy
when lie appeared before the committee.
A "a UR "a hfrN
admitted that the bruises were very bad and
such no teacher should be allowed 10 infiict.
He was not willing to admit, however. that they
were made by OConnOr.
The hour having reached nearly Midnight the
meeting adjourned for one week.