The Jersey City news., 1892-01-12
AFTER ELSTON AGAIN.
Hoboken School Trustees Bound to
Have the High school Prin-
cipal's Scalp.

The Hoboken High School manage
ment for the past few years has received
much public condemnation, aud although
many reports of the cause of the bad con
dition of affeirs in the school were rile
the Board of Educatian has been unable
to secure conclusive evidence of any kind
Charges were made that Principal w. h.
Elston was rot fit man to preside over
the school, and although he was brought
before the Board on different occasions,
no witnesses could be made TO TESTIFY
against him owing to the fear OF having
their names published. The majority
Of the scholars of the high school
are girls from sixteen to eighteen
years of age, and some time ago
the priucipal was charged with being
unGtily fam liar with some OF the pupils,
but when it came to an Investigation
none OF the girls who had made com
plaints TO individual members OF the
Board, would make any open statements.
Principal Etstou continued TO hoio MS
position, but President Russ and others
of the Board VINO clamored for MS
dismissal, kept sharp eye on him, and
il is now stated on good authority that
Mr.. Elston will shortly be requested to
hand ia his resignation. At the recent
Christmas examination few OF the
scholars in the High School attained
fair percentage, and it was plainly seen
studies. The Committee on Teach
ers Salaries and School Government
of which Trustee Hess is Chairman, re-
duced these scholars to lower classes, aud
made a cursory examination which
showed that there was lack OF discip-
line in the school, and that the teachers
were unable to control their classes owing
to the peculiar conduct Of Mr.. Eston. AT
last nights meeting of the Trustees
Presinent Russ informed the Board that
for some time past the High School was
closely watched by himself and the COM
rnittee, and that they were satisfied that
a change in the management was needed
ut once, II the school was to be what it
should. He said that the school was CON
IL demanded an immediate in-
vestieation. The Board by full vote
then instructed the committee to
at once begin an investigation to be
thorough in detail, and to report back to
the Board. Nothing else was said In open
meeting, but during recess, the Board
held al Executive session from which the
wards learned that Principal Elston was
overhauled in an unmeroiful manner. The
Trustees were 10th to talk of the matter
until the Investigation Is completed, but
enough was cleaned to show that the
Board IS determined to get the pricipaPs 8
resignation. Principal Elston'S conduct
has long been subject of much'cOmnent
throughout the city, aud as one Trustee
even in outside cities. The
Trustees have individually been in
formed of his actions, aud anouy-
nous communications from scholars
have so frequently been received by the
Board that the trustees are now satisfied
there is something rotten in Denmark.
some Of these are that Elston frequently
appears at the school in an Intoxicated
condition, during which he acts in a most
disgrsceful manner, insulting teachers
and scholars alike, and at times using
foul language.
II is said that one morning recently the
principal arrived at the school IN such an
intoxicated condition that when he at
tempted to read the Bible the pupils were
unable to understand him and began to
QiggIe and behave disorderly. 1t is also
alleged that it is frequent Occurrences
for him to make little OF a teacher be-
fore her class and he has been
known 10 snmmarily dismiss n class
when the teacher kept the scholars later
than usiial on account of their failing In
their stuties. These and other stories
have reached the ears of various OF the
Trustees, but in most cases the teachers
aud scholars are afraid to say anything
against the principal. President Russ,
in speaking OF tine matter this morning,
said So. Myself aud the committee have
spent a great deal of time in looking
after the High School and we are salts
lie that change is needed at once. 1t
is high time that Principal Etston was
brought to book for his actioas'