The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-11-18
CRANSTON SCHOOL TROUBLE.
Another Long Hearing Given by the School
Committee Last Evening.
Mr.. BOWEN IN HIS OWN DEFENCE.
He Told Why Alice Dubois Had Been Sent to Her
hOme---A Clear Statement Of the Case
Made by Miss Siutevant.

The hearing Of the case of Dubois
against Principal Bowen of the Shaw
avenue grammar scnool was resumed
by the school committee in the Eighth
District Court room last evening Mr..
Pierce. before the meeting opened. pre-
sented another petition In favor Of
Principal Bowen signed by 30 residents
of the Shaw avenue school district Mr..
Dubois continued his case and called
as witnesses Christie Fredericks. Ed
ward Dubois and Leonora Manchester.
Mr. Bassett objected to last witness as
out OF the complaint in the petition.
After considerable discussion IL was
moved by Mr.. Reeve and seconded that
all witnesses be debarred whose testi-
mony had not a direct bearing on the
case. This witness was therefore ruled
out. Mr. Dubois son, Harry Dubois,
was also objected to. This closed the
case for Mr.. Dubois.
Mr.. Bowen was the first witness
called in defence. He said he had
spoken to Alice Dubois many times.
That he had complaints from Miss
Sturtevant in regard TO impudent con-
duet and had. himself. caught her
speaking to this teacher in "A disre-
spectful manner. He denied he had used
the language ascribed TO him by Alice
and the other pupils and stated that
he had used language expressing gen
eral condemnation of impudence and
had found the time appropriate. when
the class has been disturbed by miscon-
duct. He stated that Alice and Lennra
Curwin had on one occasion left the
play ground at recess and gone upon
the street refusing to return, and had
ridden off with a -youngster named
Harry Flint. who happened by with a
buggy. He acknowledged using the
term lly-ache powder In illustrating
a combination of cinnamon and sugar
to bring out the word composition"
Cross-examined by Mr.. Dubois Mr..
Bowen said he was 2S years of age,
graduate of Bridgewater normal school
from which he graduated five years
ago. He had taught ever since. He had
taught In Pawttxet- one year, also in
Hyannis. Mass.
Mr.. Dubois tried To prove Mr.. Bowen
incompetent and had list of children
who had left school since his appoint
ment. He said also others had not
come to the district on that account.
Or. Latham said children had been
taken from schools because of parental
opposition to the school committee.
Mr.. Bassett contended that Mr.. Du-
bois would have 10 prove that each
child had left school in consequence of
the teacher.
Mr.. Dubois wanted the principal to
demonstrate how Alice had spoken
and show what was meant by an inn
pudent smile, but Mr.. Bowen said he
was unable 10 do this.
In regard TO sneaks, Mr.. Bowen testi-
fled that he had found "A boy who was
inducing other boys to do disorderly
things. He had caught "a boy speaking
To others. who had stopped when he APP
preached. though the other boys said
"go on" and he had said that any boy
who would encourage other boys in
such a way was a sneak and n coward.
He also said he spoke i'm general terms
when referring TO bringing mp children.
Mr.. Pierce said II was bad practice to
characterize in such words.
Miss Sturtevant was the next witness
and her concise statement OF the whole
affair had great weight Alice was
captain of the line, she said. and when
ON a certain -day yLthe- line -Mas-eaF4iAe.
i'm I'm great disorder. laughing. etc, she
chided Alice. who had answered that
she knew what she wanted, and that
she was captain. Several other i'm
stances OF INSTRUMENTATION were stated
by Miss Sturtevant prior TO Alice being
sent home on Sent. q for "disobediencc
and insolence." Cross examination
failed to change this witness testi-
mony.
Mr.. Dubois then called Supt. Almy
and asked several questions, and the
case was ended. a motion was made
and carried that the lawyers in sum-
ming up, should only have Is minutes
each.
Mr. Bassett was the first, and he was
followed by Mr. Dubois.
A motion was then made and second
cd that the committee adjourn to tho
council chamber. which was carried.
At the end of 20 minutes. the commit
tee returned and the clerk announced
the following;
Resolved. That the complaint Of Hen
~ T. Dubois against the principal be
dismissed. and that the petitioner bc
given leave 10 Withdraw.
There was some applause NJ the ver-
dict. which. on question. was declared
TO he unanimous.