Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-15
THE GREGORY INVESTIGATION.

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THE GREGORY INVESTIGATION.
Testimony Given Saturday NIght-An The
Evidence Now In
The examination of witnesses as 20 the
charges that Prof James W. Gregory, school
trustee. had borrowed money from school
teachers was continued and concluded satar-
day night at the Franklin School. The session
was private. but q STAR reporter learned that
the first witness. Mr.. Bernard Clark. teacher in
the county schools. testified that Prof. Gregory
had requesteda loan Of Zoo from him. remark
ing at the time that il Clark would assist him
he would assist Clark and that white men"
assisted each other. Mr.. Clark also testified
that Prof Gregory told him at the time he
asked for the loan that he had in company with
Superintendent Powell aud Supervising Primer
pal keene, been looking at school sites one at
Brookland and another at Mt Pleasant. and
left upon witness the impression that the
help" he would receive in return for
the loan would be the principalship Of either OF
those new buildings when erected. Mr.. Clark
further stated that upon consulting his uncle.
Mr.. David Clark, and other friends he was add
rlsed not to loan the money. as il was hardly
the proper thing for him 20 do. rs il might in
some way involve embarrass him. and he de-
sAiitd 70 itail llt money 10 fTol- uftkOrN.
Prof Hugh VI. Brown. instructor in physics
In the High School for the seventh and eighth
divisions, testified and put in evidence . letter
from Prof. Gregory. marked private" asking
the loan Of 500, which he obtained through
his Endorsement and loaned 10 Prof. Gregory.
Mr.. VIM. II. Smith. late teacher in the county,
testified that he had loaned Prof. Gregory s2a
and had had thereafter frequent money trans
actions with that gentleman. and that he became
80 much embarrassed in his financial matters
IN
teacher; that Prof Gregory, while not directly
assuming any part of his indebtedness, had
gone personally to Mr.. ID. NJ. Davis, DIR. Puryis
Magruder Bros and others and gave them as
surances that If they gave him (Smith) 9 chance
he would pay his obligations.
Mr.. Murray stated that he rested his case. re-
serving the right to recall any Of the witnesses
who had testified
WITNESSES FOR THE DEFENSE
Prof Gregory, in his defense, called William
Calvin Chase, who testified that Mr.. Bernard
Clark had told him that the statement made
| in the Post as 10 the Gregory case was un-
true and that he not going to
be made the cat paw of Mr.. Daniel Murray and
that he did not think that the persons conduct
ing the examination were the proper ones TO do
so. Some of Mr.. Chases testimony was stricken
out by the examiner.
Mr.. Clark was recalled and testified that ne
called at the Bee and Was taken 10 task BY
MI tudet ds 10 tnc article IN tie IDst. which
article, Mr.. Clark stated. WAS wrong in saying
that he had said that Prof Gregory had
offered him a leadership for a money cousid-
Grafton, a. he was then and had been for over
three years teacher in the county schools.
Mr.. Clark further testified that Mr.. Chase asked
him what he intended 20 testify to and
he told him that he intended 80 testify 80 the
truth; that Chase then advised him TO keep out
OF IL, and asked him If he did testify TO modify
his statement MIR. Clark denied having
used Mr.. Murray's name in connection with the
word cats-paw. He also stated that his remark
TO Mr.. Chase objecting to those conducting the
examination was upon the ground that he I'M
derstood those conducting It had preferred the
charges.
DIR. Furmann J. shadd, medical adviser at
Howard University, Was placed on the stand
by Prof. Gregory and asked if Mr.. Murray had
ever sent a message by him 60 Gregory sue-
costing to HIM TO resign from the school board.
DIR. Shadd replied that he had, and said that
he met Mr.. Murray and was told by that gen
ueman that We were on the eve of a school scan
dial which seriously affected Prof. Gregory and
that he had met and persuaded certain gentle
men who were on their way to the Com mis-
sioners Office to file charges against Prof.
Gregory 10 withhold them Tor awhile in order
TO give him an opportunity TO see and confer
with Prot. Gregory with reference 10 them;
that Mr.. Murray asked witness 70 in
form Prof. Gregory and ask Prof.
Gregory to call and see him. DIR. shsdd
stated that he slept over the mstser
| and consulted next day several friends 40 20 the
propriety of his telling Prof Gregory, nil Of
whom advised him 10 do so, which he did and
left the matter with Prof. Gregory. DIR. Shadd,
| In reply to question, stated that he Was nos an
applicant for a trustees position.
PROF. GREGORY TAKES THE STAND.
Prof. Gregory was at his own request. sworn,
and admitted that he had borrowed money.
claiming q right to borrow money from friends.
He acknowledged nearly all the facts testified
to by Messrs. Evans and Clark, save
holding out school favors for money
consideration. He admitted that he had re-
quested Prof. Cardoza and other gentlemen to
use their influence with Mr.. Murray and other
parties, whom he understood were pushing the
investigation, to cease their efforts in that di-
| rection. claiming, however, that il was done to
| prevent q scandal upon the schools rather
than to protect himself
Mr.. Murray asked him il he requested Prof
Cardoza to call upon and propose that il he
lMnrray1 would let the matter drop that he
! Gregory would drop Mr.. Mitchell. principal
of the Mott school building and give the posi-
tion TO Mr.. Evans.
Prof. Gregory replied that lac had. but not
with view of doing anything TO his personal
! advantage, but TO save a school scandal: that,
having understood that MIR. Bruce Evans was
angry with him for giving the principalship
of Mott building 10 Mr.. Mitchell and knowing
Mr.. Mitchell to be a big-hearted man,
who would do no one injustice, he felt sure that
Mr.. Mitchell would retire If he thought injustice
had been done Mr.. Evans and that he would
transfer Mr.. Mitchell to Hillsdaie and place
Evans in charge OF the Mott building. The case,
SO far as taking testimony, is now concluded
missioners for their examination and action