The morning call., 1891-08-20
LACKED DISCIPLINE.
A Former Pupil Testifies Against
EbeneZer Kn0Wlt0n.
Director Harvey Opposed to Having School
Boys Appear Against Their Teachers.
Attorney JOrdan's Protest.

The Board of Education resumed last
night its inquiry into the charges of incom-
potency against EbeneZer knOwlton by his
superior. Principal Morton of The Boys
High School. On account of the great
number of witnesses summoned the pro-
ceedingS were held in Judge Coffey's court
room, which is one of the largest in the
building
Long before S o'clock every sea; in the
"+ courtroom was occupied by witnesses,
friends OF tile accused teacher and inter-
estcd spectators. So great was the crowd
OF teachers and pupils on hand that even
81 tie jury-boX was utilized, and during the
proceedings twelve handsome teachers
smiled from the high seats usually occupied
by twelve good ana true citizens
1t was some time before quorum was
secured, and during the wait some of the
spectators became very impatient When
President Sabin called the board to order,
the following Directors answered TO their
names: Harvey, Woodward, Sewell, Hyde,
Decker, Duiton, Brooks, Ames, Damn and
Sabin, and Superintendent SWEET.
MIR. WOODWARD HEARD FROM.
President Sabin announced that he had
received the following communication from
Director Woodward:
Last evening l resigned as Chairman OF the
L
nor for anything else, but Intended the feSigna-
ti0n TO be accepted. now notify you that
shall not aet tn the future as such Chairman.
OF course l have been victorious, aud the board
has been compelled 10 cumr 10 my views; but
after tne way they acted had no other recourse
but 10 resign. l desire 10 call your attention TO
The fact that some Two months age, owing to the
arrOga,ion by The Chairman Of all duties OF the
Committee on Printing. l resigned as member
Of that committee, which resignation likewise
was not accepted BY the board. Sine. lhen l
have declined to act Gu the committee. You
gn n
yours, THOMAS p. WOODWARD.
On motion OF Director Dutton the resigna-
ton WAS accepted and President Sabln then
announced that he had made the following
changes in~the TWO committees mentioned:
PrintinE-Duiton. Brooks, Harvey; Saia-
Tes-Sewell, Culver, AmeS. On motion of
Director Hyde tie appointments were con-
l-med.
The board then resolved itself into a COM
mittee Of the whole and Director Hyde was
selected as Chairman.
on WITH THE INVEsTIG ALTON.
Attorney Jordan, who represented Mr..
hn1wlt0n, insisted that all witnesses should
be sworn in fairness TO the accused.
f. II. Clarke, a teacher of history in the
Boys High School, was the first witness
called on behalf of the prosecution. He tes-
tiled that lie had known Mr.. kn0wlton as a
boy IN the high School. The discipline Of
Mr.. hnoWitou was bad even at that time.
lie rPmembe red him being hooted al times.
In 1876 the class was much behind in his
tory and composition. Knowlton's knowl-
edge OF vocal culture was good, but his
practice meager and productive of poor
results.
When the witness became a teacher in
1889, lie found knowlton's discipline bad.
The classes fell into great disorder, and be-
came so Troublesome that he actually
dreaded the hour. knowlton would spend
more time in entertaining the pupils than
In Insisting on study. He would relate
stories of his own adventures and make a
g. hero Of himself, IN Notwithstanding SO
little was Knowlton's influence over his
able TO have let them by themselves. IN
stead of raising the thought of his pupils,
huowlton dulled and stupefed it.
When questioned by Mr.. Harvey, the
witness states that be was a pupil under
hnowlton in 1876, but was now the head
teacher in history and Knowlton was under
him.
HE WAS A GoODY-GooDY BOY.
Attorney Jordan then subjected the wit
ness TO a severe cross-eXamInation, in the
course Of which he asked:
1852"
ASK Mr.. Knowlton."
4 ask you. Mr.. Knowlton might be more
charitable 10 you than you have been to
him. Did you consider yourself one Of the
gOody-gOody boyS?"
Il did and do Ifow," which answer pro-
yoked rOars Of laughter, until the Chairman
would have the room cleared.
When asked 10 give examples of cases in
which Mr.. hnoWlton had occupied his time
In other ways than by dwelling on the study
at hand the witness stated that if the room
were cleared so that ne could speak pri-
Vately he would answer.
In the course OF cToss-eXamination At
togney Jordan accused the witness of de-
slgnediy evading questions. He charged
him with prejudice and unfairness because
Professor hnowlt0n did not follow his
method OF teaching history.
On the conclusion of the cross-examina-
ton Witness Clarke was placed on a small
sized rack by the questions which were
asked by Directors Harvey and Dunn and
Ia answering which the witness admitted
that he lad only visited Knowlton'S class
twice.
Homer C. Parker. a boy in Professor
knowltOn's class, was called and his APP
pearance on the stand was a signal for
split IN the board, which showed consider
able feeling and evinced the tendencies of
the members toward the accused.
Director Harvey arose and in a vigorous
speech denounced in severe terms the course
of placing boys on the stand to testify
against their teachers. 1t was demoralizing
ami indelicate aud unjust to the accused.
lie was opposed TO a course which would in
lure the department.
NO PUPILS WILL TESTIFY.
In response TO Director Dunn, Director
Hyde SAID he had summoned the pupils. II
have charge to prove" he said, but cor
rected himself when Attorney Jordan rose,
and said, "a charge to investigate"
Superintendent SWEET also condemned
the course as uuwise. injudicious and op-
osed to a rule of the board adopted within
sixty days.
Director Sabin seconded n motion OF Di-
rector Dunn that the testimony of pupils be
excluded from the investigation.
Chairman Hyde ruled that their testimony
is admissible, and on appeal he was sus-
tained, Director Sabin Withdrawing his sec
ond of Dunn's motion and voting with the
Chair
Several questions were asked the young
witness, who held his finger in his mouth
during the discussion. 1t was soon evil
dent that his testimony was of little use.
Director Harvey again made an earnest
appeal for the good of the School Depart
ment that the plan OF cOndemnlng teacher
on such testimony be abandoned.
Attorney Jordan said the board could offer
any testimony it desired and he would meet
II, but as citizen and Taxpayer he thought
that the course pursued was unwise and
hurtful TO the public schools.
After more discussion of the subject.
Chairman Hyde gave up his position, and
said IL was better TO have the testimony of
pupils excluded, and so ruled. Hereafter
pupils of public schools will not be admitted
In the courtroom.
The investigation will be resumed tonight