The San Francisco call., 1898-07-11
DEMAND FOR AN INQUIRY
nR. McLAREN'S PLAIN TALK TO
 HIS CONGREGATION.
Declares That the Reports of I'm morality in the High School Must Be Investi-
 gated.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SAN JOSE. July 1O.-Rev. Dr. Nc Laren of the Second Presbyterian Church. before a large congregation this morning, took up the subject Of the recent difficulty in the high school. and made plain charges of i'm morality against the faculty of the school in general When he finished the congregation applauded, thlng never before known in his church. HIS sermon was freely discussed about the streets to-day It probably will lead 10 an investigation of the school. His text was from Mark S:36: What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul. Said he:
 Relief from a threatening condition in this State can come only from qulCkeheu conscience, a higher standard of citizen ship and freedom from corrupt politics. Lest they should lie dormant in san Jose any longer let us speak out, loud ana faarlesslv Already the spell seems to be breaking The mass meeting on Thurs day night two weeks ago was one or the most hopefully prophetic things that has ever occurred in this city: me susI picion that there was corruption and wrong in our school system brought to- gether spontaneously a great and deter mined crowd of our noblest and best clti- Zens and they will not rest or keep quiet until the whole matter has been made right.
 There are a number Of excellent teach CTS in our high school, but the only one who has attained a reputation throughout the State is Professor Smith. The su- preme success of teacher lies not only In his scholarship but in his personality. Arnold of Rugby and Johns Hopkins Horace Mann attained their high posi- tions because of their power to awaken pure thoughts and noble aspirations in the minds of their pupils. Professor Smith has manifested this power in a large degree, and many parents have sent their children to our high school so that they might be under his influence. And vet Professor Smith Is discharged and all the rest of the faculty is retained.
 Now here we approach a most delicate subject and one on which the conscience of the people of San Jose is becoming fearfully awake. It is useless to deny the fact that there are influences associated with the high school that are not devel- oping pure thoughts and conversation among the pupils It is common fame all over the city that In the high school there are suggestions of evil that are fatal to purity of heart.
 If there was suspicion that certain parties were conspiring to poison the res ervoirs of the water supply of our city there would be a tumult of excitement and armed citizens would be on guard and no one would drink the water while the least suspicion as to its character remained.
 Poison for the body is not as deadly a thing as poison for the heart and soul and l am sure that I speak the overwhelming sentiment of our city when 1 demand that the high school shall not be opened until 1t has been thoroughly purified from everything which the most searching in- vestigation shall reveal to be dangerous to the hearts of our children.
 What shall 1t profit to us if we have the