Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-19
TOAMENT'S ATTACK
Principal HaIsey Makes Frank
Reply.
STATES THE SITUATION PLAINLY.

Asks That His Record Elsewhere be In
qaired lnto-EAriy Relations In Rock Isl.
and Of the superintendent and Principal
"A Letter which Commands Respect.
Principal Walter N. Halsey. of the
Rock Island High school, submitted
to The ARGUS today a statement
in reply to the attack made upon him
in Supt. Ament's burdensome de-
Tense which appeared in the Union
Of last Saturday. MIR. Halsey says he
had hoped that it would be unneces-
sary for him to take any marked ac-
ton in the unfortunate school trou-
bic, but that it seems best now, how
ever, that he make public state
ment, in order that those who care
to know the truth may understand
under what grave misrepresentation
the author Of "Mr. Ament's De-
tense" is laboring. Mr.. Halsey states
that those in sympathy with the
article will believe that he has acted
the traitor to . bepefactor, and then
he proceeds to give the facts as he
knows them.
"Last May the board was very
strongly in favor of Davenport man
for principal Of the High school. MIR.
Ament, Observation-Disclosures was de-
termise ed upon his own principal
from Carroll. He and the board
could not agree. He finally found
that my application was receiving
favorable consideration from the
board and consented 10 my election.
This consent lost me the vote of one
member. and his failure TO indorse
me strongly the vote of another.
With the other mem bers l was care
full to have it understood that l
wanted the place on my own merits
or not at all. After the election Mr.
Ament saw me and made great claims
of friendship for ME, and of having
worked hard in my BEHALF. For all
of this thanked him. / knew the
facts, but did not wish to make an
enemy by telling them. l deer
mined then that while we were con-
tinued in the relations OF superior
and subordinate. | would endeavor
to believe him true, and to serve him
as such, il con sistent with my duty
to my school and the board of educa-
ton.
"He then mentioned to me that he
was to leave town the next day for
the Thousand Islands. This was a
great surprise to me, as he was en-
gagged 10 teach in the county insti-
tute. He explained that he and the
county superintendent had disagreed
and be had given up the work. lie
suggested that mi ght be able to Sc
cure the position. called the next
day on Supt. McKeever. He was
very cool when he learned who had
given me the Information. asked
Of the question and find out for him
self that the only relation between US
was that which the board established
by our elections. He did this and
offered me the work. MIR. Ament
would have you believe that l was
without a place when / came
here. This is untrue as had given
up my position in Plattsmouth to go
to the Gales burg High school.
II told him when l went to see
him and also the members of the
board here that had several enemies
in Plattsmouth, and among them the
superintendent and his relative. +.
". Cook, who had been trying to
Dust me for long time. but with no
good reason except jealousy. The
board and Mr.. Ament had the oppor-
lunity to investigate and know the
truth then and found no complaint
against me worthy of notice. Inow
ask that my record in Plattsmou h
and elsewhere be thoroughly Inquired
into by anyone interested. 1 have
nothing to be ashamed Of"
fried to b. Kind to AmeDt.
Mr.. Halsey goes on 10 state that
during the institute he discovered a
very unpleasant disposition toward
Mr.. Ament among the citizens and
teachers. and that he wrote him to
that effect and advised his return.
As he heard nothing and the board
desired to make changes in the High
school. Mr.. Halsey SAYS he drew mp
his plans and they were carried out
by the board. Further says Mr.
Halsey: ..As / heard nothing from
him still and the time for school was
approaching with no definite course
of study for the High school. wrote
out my ideas for course and sent a
copy to him and to each member of
of the board. Still nothing until
nearly time for school. Then he
disapproved the course. but pre-
scented no substitute. l naturally
had TO follow my own course, al
though this was done with the tacit
lapproval of the board. l admit that
in making my plans and course l
tried TO follow Mr.. Ament's ideas as
oearly as l could ascertain them, but
they were usually indefinite and
seemed based on theory rather than
Experience. Hence his claim that he
received no credit"
Has Pursued a Manly Course.
Mr.. Halsey states that he did not
act as leader in undermining Mr.
Ament's character. He had never by
word or inuimation indicated to any