The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-06-23
NO STATUS In COURT.
Charges Against School Teach
ers Dismissed.
SECRET ORDERS NOT LIABLE.
1ndfvid uaIs Alone Can Bring Charges
Against Empioyes-White's Com
mon Sense Opinion

The adjourned meeting of the school
board committee TO investigate the alleged
charges against Martina Johnson and
Jrdson P. Wilson. made by the A. P. A.,
represented by William Carnes. VAS
brought to an early close az the rooms Of
the school board last evening By the
opinion of the attorney Of the board. W.
II. White. who decided that secret So
cieties or organizations Of any form what
ever could have Nd possible standing be-
fore the board, IS they could not be held
responsible for damages.
The meeting hour had been set for
o'clock, but long before that time people
interested in the matter began to gather
and by avery available space in the room
and lobby was occupied by men, women
and children. Teachers also were there In
large numbers. William Carnes, accom-
panied by E. s. Peet, committeeman with
Carnes from the A. T. A. to prosecute the
charges, put IN an appearance, supported
by Attorney NJ. L. Baer.
The board sat as a committee OF the
whole, including g. II. King who was alb
sent from the last meeting. When Mr..
Spencer the chairman. opened the meet
ing Mr. King asked TO be informed who il
was that preferred these charges. When
told it was the A. p. A. he said he did not
think it was the duty of the board to en-
terrain charges preferred by this or any
other secret organization.
Mr.. MacDougaIl asked the attorney of
the board, Mr.. White. to give the directors
legal opinion on the question presented
by Mr.. King.
Mr.. White answered in substance as
follows: 81 think the board made a mis-
take at the outset in listening to the
charges. and had been present when they
were first presented | should certainly
have advised the board not to have given
them a seconds consideration. These
charges are in measure anonymous; they
came from q secret organization whose
motives are unknown, that has no legal
footing, cannot sue, cannot be sued, and
consequently can have no possible stand
ing in law or equity. As these charges
stand here no one is respon sible for them.
Mr.. Carnes appears here as the agent of
that society and disclaims all personal
responsibility, therefore the defendant has
no possible redress in case she wants to
prosecute for libel or damages in case the
charges against her are disproved. This
defendant should have the right to face
her accuser or accusers and hold him or
them strictly accountable for every charge
made; that's common Law, let alone COM
mon justice.
ANY individual of responsibility has a
right to come before this board and prefer
snch charges as are alleged in these papers,
but he or she must come prepared to sub
stantiate them with proofs as individuals,
and as such must expect TO stand
cross-examination from the party accused.
Ii you establish this as precedent and
blindly act on the charges of this one
secret order. what is to hinder any organza-
ton under the sun TO come here repre-
sented by some agent and bring blind
charges against somebody within your
jurisdictionf Why, there would be no
end to it. and you could expect to be kept
busy attending committee meetings from
one end Of the year to another without
end. | candidly believe this whole thing
is out of order and an injustice to the ac-
cused, and my advice to the board would
be to dismiss these charges and invite re-
sponsibIe individuals to come to the front
and make whatever charges they may
have against these accused"
Mr.. Whites remarks were received with
a murmur of approval which was checked
by the rapping of the chairman's gavel.
Mr.. MacDougall moved that the charges
be dismissed.
Mr.. Burweli said he was perfectly will
ing TO second the motion, but before doing
so he would like TO ask Mr.. Carnes and Mr..
Peet whether they made these charges as
individuals or as representatives of their
organization.
Carnes promptly disclaimed all indi-
viduai responsibility, and at once hedged
by claiming that he had no personal
knowledge of the charges, had no feeling
in the matter and was merely carrying out
instructions from his organization.
Peet evaded the question, but when
finally forced to 8 reply referred them 10
the charges as flied.
Messrs. King and Colkett expressed
themselves as opposed to underhand
charges brought By secre. organ izations,
leaving the board to act in the dark.
King also seconded the motion TO dismiss
the charges. and the question being put
was carried unanimously The hoard