The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-16
INVESTIGATION IS BEGUN.
CHARGES AGAINST BARNARD ARE
TAKEN Up.
Objectfons-He Challenge Wells
~ Hostile and Biased-Secre-
taRy Guernsey the First Witness.

The Barnard investigation got fairly
under way last night, but not without
deal Of preliminary ekirmishing SO tnat
although the board OF education met
promptly at 7:3n o'clock II was long past
10 before Secretary Guernsey was sworn
n the first witness for the petitioner.
A large crowd was present, made up
chiefly OF teachers. All the members OF
the board took seats on one side OF she
table. at which they usually sit. so that
the attorneys and the witness chair were
facing them across the table. Thus
ranged IN a line. with President Wells at
the head. the members OF the board pre-
sented q very judicial appearance. and
one Of the attorneys quite naturally used
the expression: May II please the cour:."
Frank A. Steele. az counsel for Super
intendent Barnard. after reminding the
members Of the board of the grave nature
OF the case and the responsibility resting
upon them, asked that the attitude in
which Prosecuting Attorney McElroy
stood toward the case be more definitely
determined After some discussion il was
decided that he stood In the relation of
an investigator. having the conduct OF the
investigation before the board. This point
settled. Mr.. Steele addressed himself to
what he regarded as a grave defect IN
the charges. which alleged merely neglect
OF oficiat duty at some time during he
quadrennum from 1894 to 1927. He asked
that this charge be either stricken out or
made more definite and certain.
Mr.. McT.lroy offered IS an amendment
TO the charge the following addition TO
paragraph {: And that said r. ]. Bar
nard during said years has not given his
attention TO the specific school work in said
district. In this 10 wit: That he has failed
and neglected for long periods OF time TO
visit che schools in the school buildings
OF said district and ascertain the work.
ing OF the schools. and that he has not
given his time and attention toward the
advancement OF the educational facilities
of said district during said years" Not
withstanding Mr.. Steele's contention that
the amendment did not remove the vague
ness OF the original charge. the board
adopted the amendment. Van Houten Of
fered an amendment that paragraph 4 he
stricken from the charges. Brewer voted
with him, but Lamb. Wells and Chiiberg
outnumbered them. and on lambs mo-
tion II was ordered TO proceed with the
investigation.
Then Mr.. Steele raised new difficulty
and made a long argument In favor OF
striking out all the allegations relating to
1893, In which, as he said. Barnard is
charged with violating rule of the board
not adopted until 1894. The board refused
10 see the matter I'm this light. Steele
then moved to strike ont from paragraphs
2. and every allegation relating to airy
time prior 20 1887 contending that the con-
tract made for the present year between
Barnard and the board constituted a dis
tinct relationship which could not be af-
feeted by any breach of contract prior to
that time. Again the board was about to
begin the Investigation. when Steele inter-
posed with solemn charge 70 the menu
bers OF the board that II any one OF them
felt that he entertained a prejudice which
would forbid his rendering a fair and I'M
partial verdict on the charges. he should
withdraw from the board during the In
vestigation. McEiroy expressed unbound
ed establishment az Steele's contention.
and roasted" him for insinuating that
any member Of the board would not rem
der fair verdict. Then Steele sprang the
sensation Of the evening by Offering IN
challenge President Wells as entertaining
personal animosity bias and prejudice
toward Barnard, as being one Of the chief
inssiSators OF the present charges, as hay-
Ing said to one of the other members of
the board tina; he would remove Barnard
and other similar expressions. The board
ignored the challenge and again ordered
the investigation TO proceed by the same
vote as before.
The first and only with SIS examined was
Secretary Guernsey. who was questioned
~ both Mr.. McFlroy and Mr.. Steele as 10
the Journal Of the board and the register
CT warrants, showing the various dealings
and communications between Mr.. Barnard
and the board during the years covered by
the pending charges.
The board decided To resume the inves-
tigation this morning at 1880 O'clock.