Evening journal., 1896-06-04
THE TESTIMONY ALL IN.
The Case Submitted to the
Committee Without Argument
TIE THREE TEACHERS TESTIFY

They Denied the Striking Of Little Ethel
Ball But Admit Having Carried Her
From the Class Room-rhey Show a
Strange Forgetfq mess Of Some of the
Inoidents. 70
The investigation of the charges made
by Judge Ball against Miss Sallie A
Miller, Miss Annie Speakman and Misc
Mary @. Steele WAS resumed last evening
In the rooms OF the Board of Public
Education The three teachers were
placed on the stand. Peter l.. Cooper,
Jr., conducted the examination aod Judge
Ball did the cross examining. They Rd-
mitted having carried the little girl into
tha assembly room. hut Miss Speakman
stated thst it was done 40 carefully as q
mother could have carried her
The meeting was not advertised as
there was a desire to avoid publicity as
much as possible. A number of teachers
were presont, however, as we're President
Baird, ex Mayor Shortlidge. s. II. Bay
nard. Samuel F. Belts. John r Hartman,
and William Turner s. Redmond Smith,
representing Miss Miller. was also pres
ent, but rather as an advisor.
Hearing OF the Defense.
Mr.. Cooper opened the ball with a
short speech 10 which be said that were
be Ia a court Of law he should ask for q
verdict Of not guilty. AS the evidence
of the prosecution hiss been published. It
was only proper that the witnesses for
the defence bs heard BE then called
Miss Mary @. Steele. She testified as TO
the taking of ball from Ethel. and later
A.. T.. III
Tuchton to walk together. Miss Steele
explained that when the two got
together there WAS always some mis-
behavior.
After the assembly room WAS reached,
Miss Steele stated that Ethel was dsor-
dely and refused to obey and Miss Steele
took her into an adjoining room to rea
son with her When they got in the
room Miss Steele told the child that It
grieved her 20 have such actions, to
Which Ethel answered: Il love you, do
love you" Word then came 20 Miss
Steele that she was wanted on the plat
form. When she returned Miss Speak
man WAS there, but witness could re
member very little of what occurred, ex
cepting that she made another trip to
the assembly room and on her return
found Ethel crying. This was prscti
sally the whole OF Miss S5eele's evidence
except that she heard no slapping.
Miss MiIIer's Testimony.
Miss Ssllie A. Miller, the principal.
testified that Whsn she came TO the
assembly, room she found Miss SpeEk
man absent and learning that she was In
the class room with Ethel went there
Miss Speakmsn informed her that Ethel
refused to 60 into the assembly room
and Miss Miller then asked her. receive
ing an answer that she did not want TO
go.
you'll have to go, WAS Miss Miller's
reply. II won't 60, came back from the
child. You'll be compelled to 60 L
won't 20" "We'l take her." said Miss
Mider
Then Mis- Miller and Miss SpsskmEn
carried E1hel out, by the shoulders and
knees. In the hall she was put on her
feet when she grasped the banisters
with both hands. Then the two teachers
broke her hold and carried her into the
room. She denied having struck Ethel
or that Miss Speskman did. When
ssk'd why she had carried Ethel out she
replied, Il did II to show that l had
authority to make her mind me-"
why Gldn't you, send her homer"
asked Judge Ball.
"Bscauss her father said he was afraid
to punish the child. was the answer.
"Why was he afraidf" II don't know
Didn't be tell you 1t was because she
was OF a nervous temperament HE
might have said so.
Miss Miller denied that sny particular
SC bolar was given more attention than
another.
Miss speakman's Version.
Miss Annie Spsakmsn admitted having
aided IN carrying the child out OF the
room, but denied having boxed her ears
or struck her. She would make no direct
denial OF the charge that Miss Miller hit
Ethel. She slso denied having made the
affirmation l hope God will strike me
down dead II [ struck Ethel but ad
mitted that that she seid II believe In
God and think you do, and with due
reverence, will say thst II these are
my last words. never struck your
child"
On cross-examination Judge Ball asked