The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-11
CHARGES DIDN'T STICK
Miss Holland Accused Principal
Garrett Of Immoral Conduct.
HAD A SECRET HEARING
She Charged the Principal With At
tempted Criminal Assault In His
Own House-Denounces the
Verdict as an Outrage.

Special Dispatch to the Standard.
Helena, June M.-Behind closed doors
that did not open to the member OF the
press, the state board Of education this
afternoon examined the charges of al
legged immoral conduct preferred by
Martha Holland. a teacher In the public
schools of Red Lodge. against Principal
Garrett of that town. As soon as the
board convened 1t was agreed to deal with
the matter In executive session and to
maintain secrecy about the proceedings.
M. ]. Garrett of Lewistown. a member
of the board. asked to be excused from
participating in the investigation, as the
accused is his brother. The governor
asked him to remain In the room. how
ever. which he did. refraining from ask
ing any questions or voting upon the mat
ter at the conclusion of the hearing.
Miss Holland. she complainant. accom-
panied by Mrs. Kearns, county superin-
tendent OF Carbon county. appeared be-
fore the board. was sworn and testified.
She alleged In brief that last December.
while a teacher In the Red Lodge
schools and while a boarder at Principal
AlI > III III w hAhf
nally assault her in his own house, with
his wife in an adjoining room. She also
presented two a~ffidavits and asked the
board to revoke his state license. Mrs.
Kearns also testified as to what she had
heard of the affair.
Principal Garrett, who was present with
Attorney Pearson of Red Lodge as his
counsel. was then sworn. He denied the
charge in toto, backing up his evidence
with an affidavit to that effect from his
wife. He claimed that the AFFAIR was
nothing short of a conspiracy Matched up
to ruin him in the because
Miss Holland had not been retained for
the coming school year by the school
board. her place being taken by n MEM
Der of the principals training class. He
said IL he had time he could have pro-
cured plenty of witnesses and affidavits
TO bear him out. He also said. the school
board had voted to retain him another
year. His attorney. in addressing the
board. called attention to the fact that
the alleged act is claimed to have been
committed in December. while no com
plant was made until six months after
wards.
AT the conclusion of the testimony the
board deliberated a few moments and
then voted unanimously that under the
evidence presented the charges had not
been sustained. and therefore IL could
not see Its way clear to revoke Principal
CARROTS license.
Miss Holland, who was seen soon after
the decision of the board was announced
said that II was an outrage. She also
denied conspiracy.
Before adjourning the board decided
that n request from President Craig OF
the University OF Montana for a change
in the boards ruling allowing only mem.
bers Of the faculty a vote in the manage
ment of the institution could not be
granted. The president desired that two
OF the instructors should have a voica
In such matters.
After correcting an error NJ the former
meeting in regard to the salary of tho
janitor and the librarian of the university
the board adjourned until next December,
unless called together by the President.