Great Falls weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1894-1???, 1896-08-28
MORE EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
The School Board Once More INDUCES
in Dark Lantern Meetings Over
Public Business.
Their Legal Adviser Warns Them
That They Are Putting the PEG.
pies Money in Peril.

The school trustees last night held an
important school meeting. AS soon as
they reached the matter Of clecting a
principal Of the public schools they went
into executive session, manifcsting great
anxiety to keep the public in the dark
regarding their discussions and actions
in relation to this most important ques-
ton, in which parents take SO much in
terest. Indeed, some of the board man
ifested so strong a prediction for dark
lantern methods of transacting business
that, as agents for the people, they
wanted to exclude their principals from
the very first of the meeting. There
were present Trustees Robbins, Warden,
Holmes, Cooper, Repath, Poole and
Boorman.
A committee from tho silver smelter
school asked the board to give them an
other teacher instead of G. H. Robinson,
whom they charged with incompetency,
and sundry other objections we're urged
against him. Some of the statements
made excited the incredulity Of the
board, but they promised to investigate.
They accused the teacher of leaving the
school frequently before the proper hour
and i%nstructing the pupils to dismiss
themselves at such a time; of going to
sleep in school, neglecting to hear the
pupils recite, etc.
A Mr.. Wetzel of Portland, Ore, ap-
peared before the board and made verbal
application for the position of principal
in a lengthy speech, in which he recited
his experience and qualifications, stating
that owing to the fact that his papers
we're not here Just now he was obliged to
talk for himself.
County Attorney Freeman appeared
before the board az their legal adviser,
stating that he did so at the request Of
Trustee Warden. He gave it as his off,
cial opinion, after considerable research
and consultation with other attorneys,
that the board would incur a double liza
person than S. D. Largent for the COM
elected Mr. Largent to the position by
formal ballot a contract was consum-
mated with him, and q reconsideration
dt u SuUocuucIt uloottlE ulu uOL T6l06So
them from such contract. He advised
them not to enter into contract with
any me else without grave deliberation
and strong legal advice, as he felt sure
there was danger of putting the district
to a double expense for principals sal
airy during the term IL this course was
persisted In. His remarks we're received
in gloomy silence by q majority OF the
board, and the chair announced that the
time for secrecy had arrived, and all but
members of the board were invited to
get out.
1t was learned after the meeting that
B. j. Hathaway Of BrRinard, MINI, was
elected principal at a salary OF $4,000
per year. Trustees Warden and Holmes
voted for s. D.. Largent, one voted blank
and the other four for Hathaway.
Miss Mary A. G. Mitchell, q sister OF
Harry f. Mitchell, business manager OF
the Leader, was elected teacher in place
Of r. E. Hammond, resigned, seventh
and eighth grades, Whittier school.
Miss U'Ren was elected teacher in the
second grade, South eide school, in place
Of Miss frankie McGlofn, resigned.
Miss Philips was elected teacher of the
primary grade in new High school, and
Mrs. Culbertson teacher in higher
grades in High school.
Lizzie g. Garin wal employed az {
teacher in the Ulm school.
The clerk and chairman were in
etructed to make q contrpct with 3. j
Hathaway at once as principal.
Trustees Robbins and Boorman wer,
elected judges Of the special election
Thursday.
1t was decided to open the Junken
and Field district schools on Sept. 8, tn
same time the city schools open, ant
keep them open as long as the attend
ance will warrant.