The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-04
SCHOOL BOARD MIDDLE
ResiRning Trustees Give Reasons
for Their Action.
NO FACTION NOR CLIQUE
II IL Said That Dorais Was Appointed
for the Reason That He Was a Mem
Der of One Faction-A Possible
Solution of the Trouble.

There was a good deal of talk in Butte.
yesterday. in regard TO the action aiken
by four school trustees when they heard
that Donat Dorais had been appointed
to fiji the vacancy on the board caused
by the resignation of j. b. Frederic.
MIR. Dorais is a Canadian Frenchman
and was appointed by superintendent
Mullins. il is said. because of his ma
tionality. That was the very thing and,
So it is reported. ms only thing the
members of the board had asked her not
To do and which they had urged upon
her to avoid.
MIR. Morgan said to a andar re-
porter that every IN on the pres
ent board was elected on a platform
which ignored clique. pligion, faction,
society. politics and nationality. IL was
expressly understood that the board ana
its members should be distinctly indie
pendent of such things. 1t was not pro-
posed to have on the board an lrishman
to represent the Irish, a Frenchman to
represent the French, an Engltshman TO
represent the English. or a representa-
tive of any religion or nationality. but
simply good men to represent the Amer
lean school system. Miss Mullins, il is
1 CidlI1tu, a btth iiibi iiitu VI u i'NoS
of the board in hat regard. and when
she appointed Mr.. Dorais for the only
reason that he represented the French
element and at the request OF the MEM
bers of the Canadian institute. the four
members of the board felt that the only
thing there remained for them to do
was to resign.
Il saw one Of the trustees this even
ing" said Mr.. Dorais. and had a short
talk with him. and he mentioned some
thing to the effect that | represent a
faction. but I said to him. as ] say now.
that I represent no faction. The men
who urged my appointment are French
men and they happened TO meet at the
institute. but that was all. 1t has been
said that I lacked experience with the
American school system and that ] was
ignorant. They are forcing matters 10
such a pass where il will be impossible
for me to resign. even if ! wish, without
stultifying myself or making a fool of
myself. | am extremely sorry the ar
fair has turned out as it has. If l had
been given the least intimatlon Of the
feeling against mo | would most gladly
have withdrawn"
1t was stated yesterday that Miss
Mullins would ask Mr. Dorais To settle
the matter by resigning. but Mr.. Dorais
said he had called on Miss Mullins and
discussed the situation with her, but she
did not suggest his r~esiGnatlon.
She still has the designations of Long
Burke, Morgan and Lane. and IL was
stated yesterday that she would not &C
cept them and hopes that the very good
sense Of the four gentlemen viii prevail
and that they will resume their duties
as school trustees and continue the work
they ~inaugurated and carried on so wei
during the past year.
An unexpected and possible solution
Of the trouble was presented yesterday
II is likely that the appointment of Mr.
Dorais Is illegal. as 1t seems there wai
md is no vacancy. Mr.. Frederic sen
his resignation To the board OF trustees
and the latter accepted it and sent {
request To Miss Mullins to appoint hi
successor. II now occur that the boarC
had no more power to accept the resig
nation Of Mr. Frederic han a commit
tee OF teachers would have had. Thu
law plainly says that the county super
intendent alone has power to receivl
resignation and fill vacancies. II 4
barely possible that IL Dorais should
take office under his appointment. as !
now stands. serious complication
on account of IL might arise.