The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-07-15
! ours very truly,
~ q


After reading the letter Secretary Hanna
said he would like to hear what Mr. Bogart
| had to say, copy of the resolutions passed
at the last meeting Of the Board having been
given him.
| Superintendent Bogart was ready and in a
| quiet, gentle tone proceeded with a verbal
statement of his side of the case He spoke
most of the time calmly, deliberately and in
| every way as one who was satisfied in his
own conscience of the invulnenbility of his
| position, but occasionally became very earn
est. He spoke for many minutes and pre-
faced his most important remarks with the
statement;
Il have something to say Knowing
somewhat the character of these insinuations
and the charges made at Knoxville by a
family living there; knowing also that several
rumors based upon those charges went
through the country and reaching here,
knowing also there are parties who had made
protest and sent it to the state department
attempting to prevent the issuing of my
commission; knowing also that the state de-
partment has set that protest aside and has
granted my commission; | have come here
this evening for the purpose OF volunteering
to you evidence that shall show those accu.
sations TO be false and also the ground upon
which they were made, and why they were
malicious. ] say malicious because | know
what that word means These wild rumors
were based entirely upon an incident sur
rounded with just such circumstances as per-
mitted a low set of scandal mongers
to use it for violent purpose.
These people were my bitter enemies for a
reason that, can show to you plainly, l was
entirely justified and feel proud had such
enemies on the ground they became my
enemies. If you people can set aside all
prejudice, there is not man here but what
can see plainly why l had those enemies
there. The facts are just these They were
enemies Of mine before / ever went there.
They were combined, allied against any man
who would succeed Mr.. Meredith. 1t was
acknowledged by the parties themselves. The
Board was divided and stood divided evenly
all that summer. They couldn t elect mar" "
Mr.. Bogart then proceeded to state that
Mr.. Meredith his predecessor, wasa kind and
good natured man, too good natured for his
position and the schools ran down To such a
mark that one faction decided upon his re-
noval and another decided upon the contrary. |
When Prof, Bogart took charge of the schools |
here was no discipline Little girls IL and |
I2 years Of age Swould tell the teacher to
shut her mouth and boys would throw things |
lcross the room at the teacher During the |
irst two or three months Prof Bogart was |
here he found he had a load. The first es- |
ential was to require obedience He was de-
led by the children, and their parents told |
hem that if he laid his hands ON them they
hould kick him out of the school as far as
hey could. He was finally compelled
o use corporal punishment with the
oys. With the girls he couldn't
% this Some boys he finally suspended
NTH he could have some assurance that they
fould do better They remained suspended
nd disturbed the schools on the outside
ie appealed to the parents, but was only
net with insults and finally he was com
elled to have the boys arrested and made
hem pay their fines. This created bitter
etermination for vengeance upon Prof.
ogart 1t was outspoken His family
Jared for him every night he was on the