Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-05

was wrong. the majority had the
right to appeal from my decision and
force vote upon the question. They
did not do it in either instance.
As to Attending Meetings.
They charge me with a refusal to
attend meetings of the board.
have been q member of the board for
four years and the records thereof
show that in this time l have failed
to attend just one meeting of the
board. l except from this statement
the first snap meeting called to in
vestigatc the charges against Mr..
Amen. which. in my opinion, was
not legally and properly called. the
call therefor being signed simply by
James f. Ament, superintendent.
1t might as well have been signed by
John Jones. This is a fair sample
Of how closely these resolutions hew
to the truth.
Again they charge me with at
tempting to stir up strife in the COM
munity, regardless OF the welfare of
the schools, and intending thereby
to place upon me the responsibility
of the present situation in reference
to the SUPPLEMENTARY. In reply
am willing to let the public Judge as
to where the responsibility for the
present unfortunate situation rests.
My position is that we have a weak
and inefficient superintendent; one
who has made himself so obnoxious
to his subordinate teachers, that they
with one accord raise their voices in
protest against his retention; one
who after years trial is found
wholly and totally unfit for this re-
sponsible position; one who has
made himself obnoxious to the peo-
pie and who demand his removal.
On the other hand the position of
those who indict me is that 6l
teachers in our public schools, men
and women who have been the teach
ers of our children for years, men
and women whose intelligence and
integrity we know, either do not
know what they are talking about,
or are deliberately lying about the
present incumbent. aud acting on
this basis they persist in retaining
this man and are scheming and plot
ting night and day to compass this
end. The people may judge who is
stirring up strife.
Advice to the Teach ers.
They charge me with advising
teachers not to attend meetings
called by the board in its official ca
pacity. Iplead guilty to the charge
am glad they have one true indict-
ment. l did advise teachers not to
attend the meeting to which they
were summoned to appear and pre-
sent charges against Mr.. Ament.
The meeting at which this action
was taken l deemed illegal as stated
above. but aside from this I saw the
superintendent hand in this action,
and believed then and now believe
that it was their intention to subject
the teachers to the indignity of
cross-examination at this mans
hands and that without any oppor-
tunity for preparation or concerted
action by the teachers. It was uu-
fair and unjust. advised the teach.
ers not to attend. am glad / did it.
would do it again.
High School Principals Salary.
They say I promised a certain
principal retention at an increased
salary. I did this. MIR. Halsey, the
principal Of the high school, il en-
ployed at the present time at the
rate Of $1,000 pei year. We paid
Mr.. Bishop. late principal. e1.6OO
per year and Mr.. Leslie, who pre-
coded Mr.. Halsey 1900 per year. In
view Of the fact that Mr.. Halsey was
q new and untried man he was en-
ployed at $1,000 per year with the
understanding mot Officially that if he
proved to be the right man for the
place his salary would be in
creased next year. Our good doctor
has forgotten the fact that he prom
ised a certain janitor an increase of
salary. and threatened-on!y threat
ened. unfortunately-to resign when
n r.