Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-10-11
Mr.. DAVIS and DR.. WADDELL
Their Battle Fought Before
the School Board.
IT WAS OVER THE DOCTORS BOY
Who Had Been Suspended
from School for Fighting.
MIR. Davis Refused to Reinstate Him and
Dr.. waddeli Appealed to the School
Board--After a Hearing the Board
Voted to Allow the Boy to Return.

Voted to Allow the Boy to Return.
The usual quiet of the Board of Edu-
cation was interrupted by an embarras-
sing situation at the regular meeting
last Monday and it looked for time as
if the existing difficulties would culmin-
ate in veritable commotion, until
several of the members brought their
better judgment to prevail upon the
discordant state of affairs and succeeded
in restoring order out of chaos. When
the board adjourned, however, every
thing was lovely as far as the meeting
was concerned, although it is doubtful
if similar feature has marked the pro-
ceedings of the board for long time.
The whole trouble was brought about
by the suspension of Howard Waddell,
| the 13-years.old son of the Rev. ID. f.
Waddell from No. IA school, by the
principal, Miss Wheeler. The father of
the boy was present at the meeting, and
he was permitted to give his side of the
case. He said that he had investigated
the cause which led to the dismissal of
his son and found that he was pun
ished from taking his book away from
another lad who had snatched it out of
his pocket. He said that his wife had
gone to see Mr.. Davis, chairman of the
committee of the school, and Mr.. Davis
| had refused to reinstate his son un-
less Mr.. Waddell appeared before
| the member from the Second ward in
person and asked that the boy be given
| permission to return to school. Now it
seems that some years ago an estrange-
ment arose between Mr.. Davis and the
minister of the gospel which severed
| their former relations, and since then
they had not been as Jonathan and
| David were. In order that peace and
unity might still dwell within the house,
holds of the former neighbors MIR. Wad-
dell says that he declined to go to Mr..
| Davis's house, and sent his wife instead,
thinking that she might be able to se-
cure from Mr.. Davis permit for the re-
turn of the erring Waddell.
But in this Mrs. Waddell was unsuc-
cessful, and it was to the members of
the school board that the Rev. Waddell
appealed for an equitable and righteous
solution of the existing difficulties. He
said that his boy had already been o1t
of school one week and he thought it an
unnecessary hardship to deny the boy
an education simply because the rela-
l
not as pleasant as they should be. He
was resident of the city, paid his taxes
promptly, believed in equal rights and
privileges toward none. He had inn
plicit confidence in tine wisdom of Mrs.
Waddell and felt that ii she could not
persuade the resolute Mr.. Davis to issue
permit for the boys return he would
Law the matter before the board. He
. | bal a, ctr taH IN
way of rectitude and had told Miss
Wheeler on one occasion if she had any
trouble with Howard to notify him.
When he found that the chairman of
the committee was not disposed to yield,
he said to himself, ~ will appeal to
Cesar," and appeal he did.
At the suggestion of DR.. Morgan the
secretary read the suspension of the
boy which was procured from Mr..
Davis, signed by Principal Wheeler.
In her communication Miss Wheeler
said she had suspended Young Waddell
for fighting in the school yard with
Michael Brown, and as Waddell the
younger had several times been pun
ished for his behavior, "please to see his
parents" in order that the offence might
not be repeated.
|
of privilege and an explanation of the
course he had pursued, said that Miss
Waddell had first come to him about the
boy and subsequently Mrs. Waddell
called about the latter and asked for a
permit in order that Howard might re-
turn to his studies. He explained to
her that inasmuch as he had requested
Mr.. Brown to come to him in regard to
the erring Brown he would restrict
young Waddell to the same conditions,
but if the boys, father came to him and
asked for thespermit alter the usual
apology, he would at once issue the per-
nit. Unless this was done he did not
feel disposed to issue the permit.
At this juncture some one made a
motion to settle the heated question by
referring the matter back to the com
mittee and the motion was seconded.
This was about to pass, when MIR. Belts
had word to say and the member from
the Sixth ward really paved the way for
the return of the erring Waddell to
! to school. Mr.. Belts contended that the
! boy had lost one weeks schooling and
, if ii was left with the committee to
settle he might remain out two weeks
longer, for there was little possibility of
the committee agreeing. MIR. Belts Of
, | fered an amendment to the effect that
the board vote to reinstate the boy.
Mr. Davis was soon upon his seat and
stated that he didn't propose to be run
over rough shod by any one. If Mr..
. Waddell would come to him and ask
for the reinstatement of his son he
would grant it. True there had been
some unpleasant relations between him
. and Mr.. Waddell, but he did not think
the actions of the reverend gentleman
were quite in accordance with one of his
cloth, US far as this case was concerned.
President Baird here injected con-
soling word which helped to bring some
OF the members to their senses. He said
it was plain to see the committee was
not going to agree and the board might
as well pass upon the subject now.
Senator Pyle, with a bland smile and
a knowing wink, said that he had seen
it written somewhere, "Return good for
evil" and he thought that MIR. Davis
was good fellow, trying to do the
square thing in the matter.
Finally L. b. Morrow held whis-
pered conversation with the Rev. Mr..
Waddell, the result being that the min
lister Of the gospel apologized to the
board and to Mr.. Davis for the con-
duct of his son and expressed regret
that it had led to any unpleasant rela-
tions. Then Mr.. O'Donncll wanted to
sustain the action of the committee, but
President Baird said there was nothing
to sustain. This put an end to the whole
matter and everybody buried the hatchet
| and were happy.