New-York tribune., 1896-02-05

WILLIAM Il. IlDENOUR
,own in front Of his desk and spoke at length
mon his attitude toward Mr.. Ridenour. He said
that II had been his policy TO maintain neutral
nostion on questions brought forward in the
4 Roard meetings He had pursued this policy
throughout the Ridenour discussion. but, when
se saw the integrity Of the Board essaed by one
VINO occupies the position Of an employe he felt
that there was no longer for his maintain
ing silence At the last meeting the Board had
had the spectacle of school principal serving
an Injunction restraining the Board from dis
missing him.
CHARGED WITH LYING.
Mr. Swanstrom said that the moment Mr.
Rdenour assumed such an attitude. he either I'M
nied that his record would not bear investga-
ton or he impeached the ability Of the Board to
Try him. He told the Board that ne was afraid
10 have his record investigated or else that he
/ would not trust the Board TO conduct his trial
He said that Mr. Rdenour's allegations in his in
l junction were without the slightest foundation
/ and ike some Of his other statements without
/ the semblance of truth.
/ He recalled Mr. Ridenour's promise to resign
and his subsequent failure either to resign or TO
apologize as an instance Of the principals fall
IRE 10 keep his word and declared absolutely
and unqualiiedly false the statement that the
pupils who signed affidavits discriminating the
principal did so under compusion.
In answer to Mr.. Ridenours statement that
he had been active and aggressive in his prose-
cution Mr. Swanstrom said: LAS long as con-
tinue to be the president of this honorable
Board l shall be active and aggressive in work
/ Ing for morality and purity in schools. he then
related the history Of the case. and declared
that an open trial would be out Of the Ques-
/ ton for many reasons
A PLEA FOR FAIR PLAY.
1 James b. Bouck criticised some Of Mr.. Swan
s,roms statements, saying that Mr.. Riden-
ours methods of conducting his own de-
4 fence should have no bearing In deciding
he case. He said that the affidavits Of the
children. which furnished the bulk of evidence
against Mr.. Ridenour If not obtained through
compulson were. at least obtained throush
trick and deceit He called attention to the
fact that some time had elapsed between 'he
time the charges were made and the tHe "hen
the urgent demand was made for MS olshisSdi'
While the usefulness of any man assai'eo
&c Mr. Ridenour had been would be In any
as. irnnaired whether the man was innocent or
guilty there could be no 1ustihcatloh LOT us
missing him without due cause.
Max Brill then moved the previous question
md the motion to rescind was carried Mr..
pr,u then moved that Mr.. Ridenour be dis
ynissed James ]. Kirwin pleaded earnestly Tor
fair treatment for Mr. Ridenour. Charles A.
Ruttrick also declared that he was opposed TO
q dismissal Of any sort without thorough
Investigation. He moved 10 amend Mr. Briils
motion to the effect that the whole matter pe
referred to the Law Committee. frahKhh W.
Hooper moved TO lay on the table MI But
,rlck's amendment. and the motion was carried
THE VOTE.
tI,go,ns then moved to amend Mr.. BrilFs
motion bv providing that the teachers who
brouebt the charges against Mr.. Ridenour
shou,d also be dismissed. Professor Hooper
then succeeded In passing another motion laying
Mr. Higginse amendment on the tapie ana the
main question at last came up for the nhaI V0.e'
The count showed twenty-four in faVor or MT.
Brils motion for dismissal and twelve opposed.
Those voting for dismissal were Messrs. 6lack' '
Brill Collier, Culyer Dresser, fisher, Ea.es'
Hamlin H9oper RlenGr Scbaede MIs"h Schmidt. Scot
tron Teale, Williams. WOODWORK anu .iiin iouun'
Miss Chapman. Miss Perry and MRS Wassrs
Bouck Buttrick. Clark Colgan. Drummond,
: Harrigan. Higgins. Kerwin' Lyhch' "o-' A'''ee
i and Rowe, and Mrs Powell
ACCUSED BY GIRLS
4 The charges against Principal Ridenour which
yesterday resulted in his dismissal were hrst
I made by the Rev. Newell Woolsey Weiis' VINO
was informed by two women teachers Of Mr.
4 Rldenour's alleged misconduct MI. "e"s It,
ported his information to President Swanstron'
4 and an investigation was Immediately staIleu-
4 The local committee for School NO 40 heio d
i hearing at which testimony was given py
& teachers In Mr. Ridenours school and by young
girls who had been under his instruction.
The girls testified that Mr.. Ridenour had
fondled them and kissed them In hrs private OF
ice. The trial before the local committee re,
B suited in an acquittal Of the principal on All
4 the charges made The matter " as never ac,ed
I upon finally by the full Board OF Education
q until Yesterday Mr. Ridenour has been
y teacher In the Brooklyn schools for about ten
4 years, having previously taught in Westcnester
County and Jersey City. AT the latter place
a is said. he had trouble similar to his expert
d ence In Brooklyn He is war veteran
MR. RIDENOUR's PROTEST.
Before the meeting Of the Board the following
4 from Mr. Ridenour was placed upon the desk OF
each member:
i hereby respectfully protest against my removal
son the public service OF the state OF New Y9rS
pody. and in doing so herewith notify you that
served in both the Army and Navy Of the Union in
he late War OF the Rebellion and that ! am and
nave nave been for the last ten years in the public ser
department. OF Public Instruction principal of
school No. 43 In the city OF Brooklyn. and claim
hat come within the provisions OF chapter 7l6
Of the Laws Of 1894. to which law respectfully call
yoo. attention and the attention Of your honorable
Permit me to add that in my suit for an lnjunc.
uon 70 restrain you from dismissing me without trial
,he law 70 which now refer not considered or
INVOKED but relied upon by me to obtain final
justice Very respectfully ,. yours; p,nrNo,rp
FUNDS REQUESTED FOR TEMPERANCE
BOOKS.
The complicated state Of affairs caused by