The San Francisco call., 1898-06-23
STUDENTS ARE
 UP IN ARMS San Jose School Board
 Defied. CALL FOR A MASS MEETING WANT THE REINSTATEMENT OF PROFESSOR SMITH. If Their Appeal Is Denied the High School May Be Closed Be-
 cause of Lack of
 Pupils.
CALL FOR A MASS MEETING
WANT THE REINSTATEMENT
 OF PROFESSOR SMITH.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SAN JOSE, June 22-The students of the San Jose High School have called a ss-meeting for tomorrow night at Turn Verein Hall to adopt some plan looking to the reinstatement of Pro- lessor Leigh R. Smith as principal of the high school. Great indignation has been caused by the City Board of Education dismissing Professor Smith, and the meeting promises to be a warm one. number of prominent speakers will address the meeting and strong resolutions have been drawn up to present to those present for adoption.
 About month ago the Board of Education at the annual election of teachers failed to re-elect Professor Smith to his position in the high school. The trustees gave as their reason that the Battlefield Veterans, a political organization, had complained that Smith was installing disloyal senti- ments into the pupils. This charge afterward proved to be unfounded. The boards action created a great deal of unfavorable comment, and at a meet ing the next night the students of the high school turned out 300 strong and protested against Professor Smiths removal. The various Grand Army posts denounced the part taken by the Battlefield Veterans and the action of that body as a piece of political chi canery. The School Trustees then put on penitent face and said they had no idea of letting Professor Smith go but would retain him. This promise was solemnly made to Professor Smith himself.
 During the past week it has been rl fe-,oo ho& Dr4f Smith would have to go This again aroused the students and for the past few days they have been working hard in Smiths behalf. On Monday night they held a meeting at the residence of one of the pupils. It was decided to hold a mass meeing and ask the aid of the public in keeping Smith in his place. Resolutions were passed con- demning the action of the board, and upon the High School Alumni, which held it's annual meeting last evening. The alumni adopted resolutions ask ing that Professor Smith be reinstated and these will be forwarded to the City Board of Education.
 A circular has been distributed around town. and large attendance at the meeting is assured. The cir cular says in part:
 I in what false position he has been placed by his .zealous enemies. and to know how he has been basely wronged arouses us, so we hope you will be en- unused in his behalf We are putting forth every effort to reinstate him, but we need help, and we turn to you, our parents and friends. for it.
 Nor would we be understood to carry the spirit of trying to run" the Board of Education. Far from it. We only want to see the right and honorable thing done by our professor.
 Professor Smith or vacant high school.
 The student body of the High School decided a couple of weeks ago to strike unless Professor Smith was reinstated, and the chances are that unless the School Trustees heed the unanimous wish of the students and put this fa- vorite teacher back there will not be a corporaIs guard of students in the new High School when the next term