The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-09-24
ALL A Base LIE.
What Came of a BunCombe
Reporters Enter
prise.
PANIC IN SCHOOL NO. 4.
Principal Linsley Says There Is
Absolutely No Danger-The
Facts of the Situation.
PANIC IN SCHOOL NO. 1

The atrocious and criminal fake that
appeared in the alleged New JERSEY edi-
ton of the Park Rolo Gasbag this morn
ing about the unsafe condition of No.
school almost created panic in the lower
part of the city.
AS the time drew near for the school to
open crowds gathered in front Of the
struct ure and gazed at large crack in
its centre. In the crowd were Sc v
eral mothers and it was evil
dent that they were reluctant
about allowing their children to enter
the building The teachers arrived and
hurri ed in. with look of displeasure on
their pretty faces. Shortly be-
fore nine o'clock the venerable
Principle. Mr. Linsley, arrived. He.
noted the strange commotion about the
school and was at loss to understand its
cause. 1t was not long efore he under
stood it, however.
When he went upstairs the teachers
stood in groups. One of them held copy
of the paper in her hands and was read
ing aloud the sensational article about
No. school.
Principal Linsley was handed The
paper. AS he read the article his face
became serious.
AT o O'Clock the children commenced to
enter the school. They did SO slowly and
tremblingly.
FRIGHTENED CHILDREN.
The minutes rolled by and there were
several children still on the sidewalk.
The Principal went out and spoke to
them. They said they were afraid
to enter. The Principal reassured
them and induced them to enter.
All through the morning session the little
ones paid little attention to their studies.
They gaped with big eyes at the walls
and ceiling, and the efforts of the teach
erS to attract their attention was worse
than useless,
At noon the school was dismissed as
usual. The children hurried out with
more than usual alacrity, and when one
O'Clock rolled around they were more
tardy in entering the building than they
were in the morning.
Outside of the school an occasional
passer-by would look up and glance at
the crack in the centre of the building
and pass some remark.
A reporter for the JERSEY CITY NEWS
called at the school shortly after one
O'Clock He wended his way to the up
permosE floor where Principal Linsley has
his quarters. When the reporter entered
all the classes on that floor were assem-
bled, and Principal Linsley was address
ing them. He stopped talking when the
reporter entered and invited him to
seat. Then he resumed.
PRINCIPAL LINsLEy SPEAKS.
The Principal was much affected.
There were tears in his eyes and his voice
was choked with emotion.
"a morning newspaper" said he, "has
attacked our present school building in
most cowardly manner. 1t is shame
mi IF fbara is who
has the interest Of the scholars
of this school at heart more than myself
and the teachers / would like to
know it. 1t would seem that
had no regard for the lives
of the children here: have been princi-
years, and know it as well as any
one I do not say that it is marvel
of stability, but do say that there is no
imminent danger of its collapsiDg.
II there was any such danger
would be the first to have
cause for alarm and sincerely hope that
you will tell your parents SO when you
60 home"
When the principal ceased speaking
the sliding doors were closed and the
principal and the reporter were together.
Mr.. Lindsay was visibly affected. He
denied in detail most OF the allegations in
the Sensational article.
''It is relatsd,' said he, "that the east
wing OF the building has settled more
than six inches. 1t has settled about
three inches. But there need be no
fear son that account. There is q
three story brick building on the esst.
The crack. which runs diagonally, across
the front of the building, is caused by the
settling of the east wing.
"Then it is stated" Mr..
Linsley continued, that the
teachers are aware of the condition of the
school and have complained to the Board
of Education. This is absolutely false
1.-The article also states that on several
occasions plaster fell from the ceilings
and wall. That is a base lie.
superintendent Poland never issued
an order disseminating the marching in
the school. There never has been
any marching in this school, l am
not believer in marching, and have shad
the permission of the local committee
men to dispense with it.
"Superintendent Poland Is quoted as
having said that the building is unsafe.
do not believe that Mr. Poland
said what is credited to him. He
never mentioned it to me. The cellar of
the building is dry and the foundation
new"
THE EFFECT OF THE STORY.
While Mr.. Linsley was talking
twelve timldly approached. The
principal kindly asked her what she
wished. ''Mr. I.insIey," she said,
my mamma wants me TO leave school.
/ want my books"
"All right, my child" said the prin-
cipal, as he passed his hand over his
brow in troubled way, and gave the
child an order for her books.
Then turning to the reporter he re-
sumed in !. sad voice:-
"This is the third scholar today who
has left my school. have also received
a letter from the mother of one of the
scholars upbraiding me severely. And
all this was occasioned by the gross pack
of falsehoods told by an irresponsible re-
porter"
After leaving the school the reporter
met we'll known citizen and taxpayer.
He had read the libelous article
and expressed his feelings freely.
"It is just such stories as this,' he said,
''that keeps Jersey City in the back
ground. By raising a false alarm of the
condition of the schools. they prevent the
spending of money for repairing Them"