The morning call., 1891-08-21
KNOWLTON'S TRIAL.
Some Testimony That Was Given
Last Night.
Professor Kennedy Surprises the Prosecution
by Declaring That the Accused Is Up
to the Average Teacher.

School Directors Brooks, Harvey. Dut-
ton, Ames, Dunn. Decker, Pennington and
HYDE were present last night at the con-
tinued hearing of the charges against Pro-
fessor Ebenezer knowlton.
Miss Mary Martin of the science de-
parment in the Girls High School was
the first witness ca led. She said she could
not testify Oh any subject against Professor
Knowlton, except in the matter of dis
cipline. On that subject she had had re-
peated opportunities of judging and felt
compelled to testify that he is failure as a
discipinarian.
Miss Martins manner of testifying-the
precision with which she nodded and
rounded each word and the absence of
hesltancy in her answers, was marked
1t was noticed when the crOss-examina-
ton by Attorney Jordan commenced That
the words were not so perfectly moldeu,
and the answers less prompt.
DISASTROUS FOR THE PROSECUTION.
Principal James G. Kennedy proved a
very disastrous witness Tor the prosecution.
lie said his knowledge Of Professor hnowl-
ton was limited to the term he taught IN the
Cogs well Mission High School. He did not
consider Nj knowlton as one of the best
discipljnarians, but regarded him as quite
up to the average in the School Department
of this city. He thought Professor knOwl-
ton fair teacher Of very high degree oil
learning, but perhaps not as good teacher
IN some branches as otheTS-a REGULARITY
common to all teachers.
Such dScouraging Roadway was being
made in behalf of the prosecution that
Brooks essayed his hand.
Let me ask, Mr.. Kennedy" said lie.
were you sorry Mhen Professor knOwlton
was tTanSierred?
well, l didn't shed any tears. if that's
what you NEAR" replied the witness.
Brooks sat down. In a minute or two,
however, lie had recovered his senses.
En-, Mr. Kennedy asked he, would
you be willing to have him as Yice-principal
in your school?'
Just As quick as any other teacher in the
department. was the prompt reply.
MIR. KENNEDY Is IMPATIENT.
Let me tell you, gentlemen" continued
Mr.. Kennedy, showing plainly his impa-
Jence, that the question OF discipline rests
entirely with the principal If he is a good
dIscIplInaTian there will be good discipline
all through his school; il not, the reverse
VIII be the case, regardless of the qualities
Of the teacher"
Mr.. Jordan's erosS-examination tended
simply TO emphasize the favorable and
complimentary opinions expressed of the
accused.
Miss NJ. NJ. Cox, a fellow-teacher with
knowlton in the Boys High School. testi-
ned substantially as had the other teachers
IN the same building, from the principal
down. She, like Mrs. Martin, would not,
however. 20 beyond the subject Of discipline.
She explained that her classroom is next
TO hnOwlton'S, and on different occasions
there hRd been noise enough in his room to
interrupt her Rotations.
On cTOSs-Pxamination the fact leaked out
that her reputation for discipline was by not
above the average.
Mr.. Jordan asked her point blank whether
she had not been playing the spy on Profess
sor hnOwlton because she wanted him out
OF the school
Now, Miss Cox" asked the attorney
''lsn It fact that you are anxious to get
Professor Knowlton ont of the school?"
TO THE RESCUE.
The witness hesitated. looked nervously
= around the room as if in the hope of grasp
ing rs pirlton, and finally did not answer
1t all. Hyde, during her embarrassment,
came TO her rescue with an interrupting re-
mark, and Mr.. Jordan expressed himself as
quite satisfied.
Hyde then essayed a few redirect
questions, and edged the inquiry down
70 the witness acquaintance with Pro-
lessor knowltons pupils, then to the
opinion which those pupils had of their
teacher and then what they had said about
linn.
Ar. JORDAN was on the alert, but meanwhile
his Indignation was rising. When the
question came lie jumped to his feet and
HuloI OUT III Il Htateu protest, lie tOlQ
Hyde be was engaged in tactics that would
not be allowed in any court under heaven,
and II allowed would amount to fragrant
persecution.
Sin" he exclaimed, with tremendous
emphasis; al say it is unjust. IN
precedented, and if it is going to be toll
Grated in this trial this accused need look
for No mercy here"
Hyde said the board had an undoubted
right to hear whatever testimony it desired,
whether such would be allowed in a court
Of law or not.
Harvey, Brooks and Dunn thought the
examination should be limited to what the
witnesses knew, and Hyde desisted.
The trial will continue on Monday night