Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-04
acting his mind. And then there

ing resolutions which were adopted
by the votes of Mesdames Hamilton
Norris and DR.. Kinyon; Mr.. Sinnet
voting negatively:
Whereas, The president of this
board, F. E. Robbins. is not willing
that majority OF the board should
rule, as is SHOWN by various actions
such as the refusal to put a motion
properly made aud seconded; the re-
fussl to attend meetings; the at.
tempt to stir up strife in the com.
munity regardless Of the welfare Of
the schools; the advising of teachers
not to attend meetings to which they
are called by the board in its official
capacity; promising q certain princi-
pal retention next year at an in
creased salary; carrying communica-
tions directed TO the board beyond
the period of its regular meeting,
aud not presenting the same till
forced to do SO, his acknowledged
object being to retain the same that
he might introduce them at a time
when he hopsd unduly to influence
the board thereby; threatening in
open session the members of the
board to the effect that. if thew did
not vote with him regarding the
superintendent, he would see that
members should be elected in June
who would be with him, stating that
the plans of the election were already
laid, even to the settling Of who
should be the candidates, and that
he knew they would be elected; Civ
ing to the press the teachers reso-
lutions, handed him as the presi-
dent of this board. when good faith
and duty demand that he offer them
first for the consideration of the
board.
Whereas, He has, in our pres
ence. refused to examine matter pre-
sented to him by the superintendent
for the purpose Of refuting un-
founded charges. and has acknowl-
edged before this board that he is
prejudiced against the superintend-
ent and that nothing that could be
done or said in behalf of the said
superintendent would change his
prejudiced opinion.
Whereas, He has allowed his anger
so far to get the mastery of him that
he has drawn weapon on mem
Der of the board when at session.
and was prevented from striking
only by interference.
Whereas, Our meetings have been
peaceful, dignifiet and honorable;
except when disgraced by his dispo-
sition to dispute.
Whereas. He has, by his actions,
tended to destroy discipline in our
school system and undermine the
necessary authority of the board.
thereby encouraging. aiding. and
abetting Decentralization among the
teachers.
Resolved. That this board is JUS
tilted in passing resolution of cen
sure against its president.
Resolved, That this resolution, to-
gether with the reasons therefor, be
engrossed upon the records of this
board, and copies Of the same be
given to the press of this city that
the public may know the facts.
Insalting, Vicious and Libejous.
Had President Robbins declined to
entertain the motion to adopt reso-
lutions of such character, and had
he merely admonished the board to
pursue course in accordance with
the proper formality if it felt dis
posed to attempt to impesch him, he
would have met with public appro-
baton. The resolutions were in
tende d to be just as they are, a mis-
cradle insult to the president. de-
signed to smirch his cha: acter. They
are as ibelous as they are vicious.
and it is disgrace that they should
have been adopted, much less spread
upon the records Of the board. 1t is
very probable that tho president has
a remedy at law for such proceedings.
II he cares to avail himself OF it.
Mr. Robbins Makes Reply.
President Robbins this afternoon
gave to THE ARGUS communication
bearing on the resolutions of the
teachers, but the document is too
lengthy to admit of publication in
full in today's issue. Mr.. Robbins
takes up the charges one by one.
To the first that he is not willing to
let the majority rule or present mo-
tons properly he asserts that he has
always been governed by questions
Of right and parliamentary practice,
and if he was at any tune wrong, it
was their right to appeal from his
decision and force a vote, which was
never done. As to his refusal to
attend meetings of the board. he
states that he has attended all legal
meetings. but he did not consider
the recently held snap meeting. for
which notification was given by Supt.
Ament. as lawfully or honorably
called. On the question of attempt
ing to stir up strife in the COM
munity. he is willing that the
public should judge as to where the
responsibility for the present unfor-
tunate situation rests. As to his ad-
vising teachers not to attend the
meetings called by the board to in
vestigate the charges made agains.
the superintendent, Mr.. Robbins
states he pleads guilty to the
charge. The meeting for this action
/ he l.