The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-01-16

AT this meeting affairs connected with
the public schools VIII be considered and
discussed.
F. ]. MERsHEIMER,
Member of B. Of 2. Eleventh ward
U. ALIEN
Member of B. of E. Twelfth ward.
Supt OF Schools
No notice of the proposed meeting was
sent to any of the papers and it was
tacitly understood that the presence Of re-
porters was not cordially invited or ur-
gently requested" One of the signers OF
the call became aware that the meeting
would bear a rather suspicious look if re-
porters were not allowed to be present.
and late Thursday evening he extended
verbal invitatio for them to come. He
said that it was an Oversight that no
notice as-of the proposed meeting had
been sent TO any of the papers.
In response to the call about seventy
five gentlemen were present last nigha
when the meeting was called to order 1t
was at once apparent that letters had been
sent to only personal friends of DIR. Allens
and lit was plainly a packed meeting be-
yond the shadow of a doubt.
The call read that the object of the
meeting was to discuss affairs connect-
ed with the public schools" The public
schools, however, came in for very little
show and nine4tenths of the meeting was
taken up by DIR. Aliens ''vindication' OF
his own actions and motives, both real
and alleged.
Director Mersheimer called the meeting
to order at $50 and stated that nominal
tfons for a chairman were in order. Sev-
eral gentlemen were nominated, but all de-
clined except Director Mersheimer, who
was then chosen by acclanation. Andrew
Rochester was elected secretary, after
which DIR. Allen arose and said:
..I am responsible for this meeting, and
if any fault is found it should be direct.
ed against me. Director Mersheimer and
Superintendent Snyder signed the call as
matter of courtesy-ia fact, loaned their
names. 1t is not through any desire on
my part that I am a member of the
Board of Education. But now that
am member, propose to say there un-
til my term expires, and then to leave il
with my reputation and character as
clean as when I enteretd 1t If any ona
wants me to be removed. the way to do
it is to prefer charges against me and
then to prove the charges. I can't ba
removed by lot of newspaper talk, fon
the papers are only sensation mongers.
If they did not publish sensational news
their readers would not be satisfied.
Rumors have come to my ears that u
certain man has publicly stated that
was bribed. He is not here, and one
of the objects of the meeting was to have
him here. There is no use concealing
his name-I mean W. H. Walters, of No.
or1n cfr Il tc T.
sent him an invitation to be present, but
instead of coming here to face me before
the public. he. sent a letter saying that
it was impossible for him to be here to-
night
The doctor here paused in his speech.
and turning to Principal Wakeman of No.
s School said:-"What has Walters ever
said to you about me?"
Mr.. Walters stated TO me- said Mr..
that T he had been M told @ by io'e Certain tai l lady
that you had received SIS to induce you
to appoint her daughter teacher
And what did Walters say to you?"
asked DR.. Allen, turning to P. 3. Randi
ell.
Randell is part owner with DIR. Allen OF
the ramshacl1le building known as Pratts
Hall, and which they propose to rent to
the city for school purposes
He told me- replied Mr.. Randell. 'sthat
you had accepted s125 for an appointments
that was never made"
Now" Went on DR.. Allen, you see
what sort of a man he is. He tells people
these things about me and yet does not
dare to face. l want all the members Of
the Good Government clubs to see what
sort of man Walters is"
oh go on with the school matters in
terrupted voice from the audience. I'VE
came here to discuss them and not to try
DR.. Allen
Director Mersheimer-"That with all be
done in time, but first I want to see Dr.
Allen vindicated.''
A mixed up colloquy followed, when
and nr0n0Sad of
confidence In the doctor. Director Mer-
sheimer said for all to stand up who
voted aye About fifty stood up, and as all
remained seated when called for the nays,
he declared that the vote of endorsement
was a unanimous one.
DR.. Allen then kept on speaking. his
topic being his own reputation, the dll-
plicity of some people and the general
unrefability of the press.
As he was Grating Mr.. Walters came in,
accompanied by a couple OF friends When
| Mr. Allen saw him he said Here comes
the man now. 1 have a couple of ques-
tions to ask you, Mr.. Walters"
"AH right; fire away. That is what T
am here for replied MIR. Walters in a
| very confident tone.
''Oh go on with THE meeting. We don't
want to hear him. Why didn't he come
sooner He can't answer your questions
We have voted confidence in you already
were some of the cries that arose all
over the hail.
Walters sat down and DR.. Allen went
ON with his speech but did not ask any
questions.
AS Walters took his seat he looked de-
termined to .'do or die DR.. Allen, how
ever, at once changed the tenor of his
remarks and began to speak about need
of more school accommodations in the
Eleventh and Twelfth wards. Not once
during the rest of the meeting was Wall
| ters referred to at all. Addresses were
made by Mr.. Rackenau, Mr.. Rochester.
L. G. and George Cagney, Mr. Burger and
| A.. A. Franck-
On motion of Mr.. Franck the chair was
| instructed to appoint a committee of five
| to urge upon the city authorities the ne
cessity Of providing more school accom-
nodations at an early date, one building
| to be in the Eleventh and the other in
! the Twelfth ward The meeting ended by