Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-28
COLORED SCHOOLS
Charges Presented Against Princi-
pal Cardoza by a Teacher.
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE MEETS
The Proceedings Were Conducted
With Considerable Secrecy.
COMMITTEE MEETS
MIR. BRUCE TO REPORT

Dissenson has been smoldering in the
Colored High School of the District for a
eng time, and has at last resulted in open
friction between Prof l.. Cardoza the prin-
opal, Land several of the teachers. The issue
was made a few weeks ago, when formal
charges were filed with the board of trus-
tees of public schools against the principal
by Miss Mary E. Nalle. one of the teachers.
Generally the principal is charged with
various kinds of nisdemeanors in the adj
ministration of the duties of his office, the
most serious of which is that he is not
qualified for the place.
The charges were referred to the commit
tee on Normal and High Schools for inves-
legation and report. and that committee
entered actively upon the discharge Of the
duty devolved upon it at the Franklin
building last evening. The committee con-
sists of Messrs. Wilson. Whelpley, Harries,
Barnard and Bruce and Mrs. Stowell. All
the members We're present at last nightS
meeting, except Mr.. Whelpey and Mrs.
Stowell- Mr.. George F. Cook, Superin-
tendent of the colored schools. was also
present at the special request of the COM
lnittee.
Accuscr and Accused.
Miss Nalle was early on hand. She was
accompanied by dozen friends. including
number of teachers and pupils in the
High School, whom she expected to intro
duce to the committee as witnesses to sup
port the allegations she had made against
Principal CardoZa. The teachers who ap-
pcdred witnesses were Miss Charlotte
l.. Hunter, Miss Caroline T. Parke, Miss
Harriet f. Riggs and MIR. Hugh Nj. Browne
They gathered together in one corner of
the room and maintained a steady CONVEX
SatlOn in whispers inaudible beyond their
own circle in regard to the business before
them.
All this time Principal Cardoza. who had
also responded promptly TO the call of the
committee, occupied a seat in the Oppo-
site corner of the room. No civilties were
exchanged between him and his accusers,
ana, SO lar as outward appearances went,
they We're strangers to each other. Mr..
odrdoza was asked by the committee, be-
lore the proceedings began, If he had any
witnesses. He said he had not summoned
any, as he hadn't thought it necessary
Ills manner was that of conscious inno-
c=Hce ana bespoke Il cOntiie of a favor
able result.
Secrecy Observed.
Great secrecy was observed in the investi-
CATION. The proceedings were conducted in
The office of Superintendent Powell i'll the
Franklin building and no one was admitted
during the taking of testimony except
Superintendent Cook and Mr. joseph Falck.
secretary of the school board. After a long
conference to the course of procedure.
the trst witness and invited Superintendent
tdr'toZa III 70 hear her testimony. Soon
alterWard word was sent out to the crowd
OF eNpectant witnesses that they need wait
no Longer, as 1T was certain that they would
lot be called upon to testify that evening
Thcreupon they all put on their wraps and
coats and took their departure, with the
exception of three gentlemen who decided
to wait for Miss Nalle.
From these outside developments it ap-
peared that the entire evening was con-
stunned in the examination of the two prin-
opal parties to the controversy. and that
Mr.. Cardoza was given an opportunity to
ControTert the statements made against his
official conduct by Miss Male. Owing to
the hardness of some of the trustees the
hearing did not begin until o o'clock, and
Il was after II o'clock when it concluded
Tor the evening.
Mr.. Bruce, who has direct supervision of
the COlOred High. School was instructed to
make personal investigation of the situa-
ton and report to the committee.
Miss Males allegations.