The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-06-03
ALL IS PEACE NOW
The School Board Holds an Unusually
Harmonious Meeting.
THE CLAIM OF Mr.. KELLISON
He Was Suspended On a Charge
of Alleged Improper Conduct
Towards One of His Girl Pupils
But He Wants His PAY.


and now broods over the school board
Of Great Falls. At last nights meet
ing all trustees were present and no
unpleasant sallies were made by any
member.
Attorney George II. Stanton APP
pearcd before the board on behalf of
A. 7. Kellison and presented a claim
for his client of $4SS.75. The attorney
stated that on the second day of June,
1894. the board had engaged mis- client
to teach in the Boston and Great
Falls addition school at a salary of
SIS per month. Dec. /, 1894, the board
suspended Kellison from teaching,
pending investigation of charges of
improper proposals to one of the girls
under his tuition. and at a subsequent
meeting the board, by majority of
one vote, declared its belief in Kclii-
sons guilt. Later, new evidence was
adduced, and the board declared Kelli-
son innocent, but failed to reinstate
him. Mr.. Stanton maintained that
Kellison had been dismissed without
sufficient cause, and was therefore en-
titled to his salary from the date of his
suspension. The attorney stated that
a complaint had been prepared, and
suit to recover the amount claimed
would be filed Monday. unless the
board, having fair notice, should al
low the claim.
Hanks said that in order to get the
matter before the board, he, although
Ignorant of the facts, would move that
the claim be allowed. Cooper said
that, in order to secure some action by
the board, he would second the motion,
although he would not vote for it,
Cooper said that at the time of the
suspension of Kellison he believed
there was sufficient cause for the
boards action. However, Kellison
could not recover his full salary. but
merely the amount which he had lost
by not securing other employment.
He thought the matter should be test
ed before a court and jury. Hanks
said that he did not want to see in
justice done to any man. Litigation is
expensive, and he thought that a
compromise should be effected if pos
sible. He, therefore. withdrew his for
mer motion, and moved that a commit
tee, with Cooper as chairman, be ap-
pointed to investigate the claim, en-
deavor to effect a satisfactory compro-
mise, and report to the board at a spe-
cial meeting Monday evening. Luck
EFT seconded the motion.
Poole said that after Kellison had
been exonerated there was no vacancy
in the teaching force. and, therefore.
he could not be reinstated.
stanton said that he would consent
Monday evening, but no longer, as he
wanted to try the case at the June
term of court, and if the case ever
came to trial ii would not reach a
jury, for, under the law, the court
would direct a verdict for the plaintiff
In regard to Cooper's contention as to
the amount to be collected, Stanton
said that the amount earned by Kelli-
son during his suspension would be an
offset. but. as matter of fact. Kel-
hson had endeavored to secure employ
ment and could not do so.
Holmes said that he had never be-
lieved Kellison guilty. Gockstetter
said that he had labored to secure
Kellison's election as a teacher, and,
although he made a motion to sus-
pend him pending the investigation
he had made motion to eXonerate
him when all the facts had become
known. Poole said that he had voted
to suspend Kellison. but when nearly
ell the patrons of the school had pc
titioned for his reinstatement, he had
voted to exonerate him.
Hanks motion was unanimously
adopted and the chairman appointed
Cooper. Gockstetter and Hanks as the
committee.
The building committee agreed to
visit the Boston & Montana shelters
wednesday afternoon TO investigate as
10 the necessity of new school house
in that vicinity. The same committee
stated that 1t would report at the next
regular meeting on the ACCESSIBILITY of
building a stone school house near
CEichesters. y site had been offered
for $25 and the patrons of the school
had offered to donate all stone. sand,
lime, some labor and all necessary
hauling. 1t was thought that the build-
ing could be built for between $500 and
$500. Cooper said a new school house
was needed in the Boston & Great Falls
4 I1F.lvN a
at Snlclter.
The building committee was author
lied to have filled the holes dug by
the investigating committee and to
have the earth tamped back, the work
10 be done by day labor
Architect White asked permission to
present Mckay Bros. estimates in such
form that they would show the amount
due each sub-contractor and material
paid for, each item to be verified by a
voucher. Dan Mckay said he would
agree TO such a course. Cooper asked
him il he would so agree in writing.
and Mckay replied that he would. II
was agreed that the matter should be
considered at Monday evenings meet
ing.
Dan Mckay said that he had coun-
Fclled with his attorneys. and Mckay
Bros. would refuse to give a new bond.
He did not wish to see the district I'M
protected, but il was no fault of his
that the present bond was invalid
Cooper said that he had no desire to
injure Mckay. He did not, and never
had. believed that the board could now
declare Mckay Bros contract for
feited because of the invaliditv of the
bond. If arrangements could be made
to protect the district he would be sat
isfied. Mckay agreed to meet the build
ing committee Monday afternoon. when
plans 20 protect the district will be-
formed. and will be presented to the
board in the evening.
Raban said that at the last meetin,
Of the board the estimate Of Mckay
Pros. had been allowed on the pretense
that labOrers on the High school build
ing had not received their wages. He
had since taken pairs 10 Investigate.
and had found that every man had
been paid al that time except one sub
contractor. who had not yet been paid.
Luckett had been induced 10 vote to