Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-06-11

Miller il any children attending the
school who had relatives in the Board
of Education had been favored, to
which question ho received a negative
reply.
Miss Annie Spoakman, another one
Of the teachors, gave similar testimony
to that given by Miss Miller. She
alleged that Ethel WIS kicking and
pounding and otherwise misbehaying
and said she tried to reason with her.
She said that while they were having
trouble with Ethel she asked the little
girl if she would like her TO telephone
10 her father il she (Ethel) would like
her father to see her in that frame
Of mind. She denied striking the
child and said she did not $50 anybody
strike her
1t having boen stated that Miss
Speakman used the expression she
"hoped God would strike her dead IL
sho struck the child" she said she
had not mudc use of the word, and
interpreted her remark, on the occa-
sion of the visit Of Judge and Mrs.
Ball TO her house after the trouble, as
follows: 81 believe in God and
suppose you do. If these were my last
words would still say | did not strike
your daughter.
This explanation proved great sur
prise TO the judge, who asked her if
everything she had said while she was
testifying under oath, was as true as
that Interpretation of hor emphatic
denial of striking the child. Mr..
Cooper objected to the question, but
she had already stated that everything
she said was true.
Tho Judge conducted rigid cross
examination during which he asked
the question as to whether the witness
knew of anyone striking Ethel. She
repeatedly replied that she did not
know and as the judge pressed the
| question Mr.. Morrow made tho re-
mark, II am chairman of this COM
mittee and l am going to act as such.
| will not allow unfair advantage to be
taken of tho witnesses Miss Speak
man says she does not remember and
that settles it, "
Every wel'' said the Judge 1--WE will
accept her answer. - During the cross.
examination Miss Speakman made very
few positive statements she giving az
| her reason that she could not remem.
ber.
Flora Folsom, Martha Sayers and
Jennie Cross pupils at tho school, testi
fed that they heard Ethel crying but
did not see anybody strike her. They
occupied positions at the front of the
room.
Miss Ella NJ. Marvel, one of tht
associate teachers, was probably thu
most emphatic witness as regarded the
conduct Of Ethel that was called upor
to testify. She saw Ethel with th'
teachers In the hall. The little CIR
appeared to be struggling, but tn,
witness did not think that M isset
Miller and Spoakman, who were witt
her were using any violence. ShC
thought they we're treating her as q
mother would child who was dis
obedIent. She stated that later in th,
4 afternoon she saw Ethel and-noticec
hnr face. 1t was marked, but not of
account Of having been struck. Sh'
thought it was caused by power o
working within. Il thought it wal
the same force, - she said, (which W,
learn in Biblical history possessed tn,
swine aud caused them to run into tn,
sea.
Miss A ice Jackman, another teacher
saw but little of what had occurred ant
could give but little information. Mis-
Sallie II. Shaw, who is also teacher
saw Ethel in the hall with tho teachers
but she was on tho opposite side of tn
room and was unable to make out jus
what was going ON. She was under tn
impression, however, that Ethel wa
walking with tho teachers. Sh
thought Ethel had defiant look il
her face after school had been dis
missed. After school Miss Speakma
had remarked to the witness that sh
was glad she had not touched th
child. Previous to making this state
ment Miss SpealSman had related tn
whole affair to Miss Shaw.
Mrs. NJ. G.. Hcllings, Mrs. Maggi
a. Money and Misses Annie Il. Sha,
and Clara Hyde, teachers, gave testi
mony somewhat similar, after While
tho case was submitted to tho CON
mittoe without argument.
Tho Board of Education Monday nigh
| 1