The San Francisco call., 1898-06-04
DETER MINED TO RULE OR RUIN San Jose School Board Defies the Public. WANTS NO INTERFERENCE E WILL OF THE STUDENTS TO BE
 CRUSHED. Nevertheless the Trustees Probably Will Restore Professor Smith
 to His Former
 Position.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SAN JOSE, June 3.-SchooI Trustees Kenyon. O'Brien, Graham and Lang ford held a star chamber meeting this morning in City Superintendent Rus sells office to consider the High School difficulty. Principal Shumate and Pro- lessor Smith of the High School were summoned before the body, and 1t is said they and Superintendent Russell were given some instructions and ad- vice, with the imperative command to obey orders. The board decided to take things into it's own hands, regard less of public opinion, and 1t was the consensus of opinion of four trustees that Vanderbilt's famous saying, "The public be damned be adopted as the motto of the board.
 A resolution was introduced and adopted declaring that the board would act independent of all forces, and so notified the public, the Grand Army, the students of the High School and the faculty. Trustee Kenyon prepared the resolution, but he refused to per init any outsider to see the paper. Ken yon said it's substance was this:
 The board intends to do as it pleases in the matter; it wants no interference from outside persons, either public, Grand Army or students; that discip- line must be maintained, and Principal Shumate is instructed to straighten af- fairs in the school.
 Principal Shumate and Professor Smith were given to understand that they must do better. They were in- structed to notify the students that no interference in the affairs of the board would be tolerated.
 At the High School to-day all was excitement When Professors Shu- mate and Smith returned they sum moned two classes at a time and told them of their interview with the board. That they addressed only two classes at time the students claim was due to a desire to avoid a possible conflict with the student body. As it was, Professor Shumate and one of the pu- pills had a wordy dispute. Professor Smith asked the students to abandon all further movements in his behalf. Orders have been issued forbidding any meeting of the student body of the school.
 It leaked out to-day that at a meet ing yesterday the students by unan- imous vote decided to strike unless Professor Smith was reinstated next 1ueSQdy nlSI1I. It IS SdlQ they ue- clared they would never return to school unless Smith was employed as teacher. The students were warned to- day against talking about the affair outside of the school.
 Trustee O'Brien said to-day some thing was radically wrong with the school, and that an investigation would probably be held. He said a great deal of jealousy existed among the teachers, and this would be "nipped In the bud" Professor Smith would undoubtedly be put back, and no appli- cations for his place had been consid- cred
 Trustee Kenyon expressed about the same opinion. He said the board was determined to have the High School conducted properly. He did not propose to have the student body dic- tate to the trustees, and every mem- Der of the faculty would be discharged if necessary to break the backbone of the student body. The trustees want ed to conduct the school in the best way, but did not want outsiders to med dle with their affairs
 On every hand the Grand Army is being highly complimented for unmask- ing this gang of political tricksters. The High School affair is being dis cussed everywhere, and nearly every one is taking Professor Smiths part.