Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-03-30
adherence to the doctrine OF equal
rights had seen fit to question.
HERE IS HIS EXPLANATION.

County 8 PIT. McKssver Hss Something
% say Of his Rrosns Break.
Rock Island, March 80 Editor OF
The ARGUS: II you will allow me
space In Jour columns for q few
words of explanation regarding Prof.
Kings visit to the Rock Island
county teachers institute, the mat.
ter will be better understood by any
who are interested.
Nov. 80. 1895. the Rock Island
County Teachers association adopted
certain resolutions, one Of which re-
fe,red to the use OF stimulants and
narcotics BY educators. In accord
auce with the sentiment of that res.
olution, promised that I would not.
knowingly, bring anyone before them
~ho was addicted to the use of
either.
was pleased when l learned tina.
Prof King was present aud would
willingly appear before the teachers
and Immediately begin to plan for q
change in the program SO as to &C.
commodate him.
No thought OF his habits occurred
to me until his breath told the tale
when ! was introduced to him.
As soon as this fact was made
known to me, another question was
raised, which lefs but one of two
tliogs for me to do.
must either violate my word
given to the teachers in 1895. or
make such an explanation to the
teachers Is would exonerate me
from any charge Of being false to my
pledge.
l explained to Prof. King the SC.
ton Of the t, achers in passing such
. resolution and the promise I had
made them in harmony with the
same. and asked him IL might make
the explanation neces sary before in
PRODUCING him to the teachers.
He replied, Il do not wish to come
before your institute" and the sub
ject was not referred to again by
either OF Us.
The teachers had expressed their
sentiments by resolution, and in &C.
cordance with their expressed wish
I promised them that would not do
a certain thing. hence the only ques-
ton for me to decide was. should
be true to the promise made to the
teachers in 1895?
The position was not a pleasant
ono. it is true, but the question had
to be decided then and there, and
simply did what had told tho teach
ers I would do.
As to my attending Prof. Kings
lecture, his allusion to the institute
incident, and my entertaining the
instructors, one OF whom you said
enjoyed fragrant Havana, l have
this to say:
had promised Principal Cox to
attend the lecture Of PROT King, and
did so. paying for the privilege.
Being at some distance from the
speaker, ] did not hear Prof. Kings
allusio INTO the institute.
had supposed that in this section
Of the country any such al!usion by
speaker would not be considered in
good taste. especially in the pres
ence Of a High school audionca.
where We expect nothing but the
highest ideals Of manhood ,r woman.
hood shall be presented.
The instructors at the institute
we're Miss Partridge and Prcf.. Gillian
and Tompkins. and ii either one used
tobacco the facts were falsely stated
to me.
Many Of my wavmest persona
friends. whom delight TO entertain
are users of tobacco In some form
but no question as to whether q mar
shall keep his word enters into such
relati N.
Truth is one OF the cardinal Writ ne!
emphasized ia both schoo, and home
ana can see no reason why there
should not be enough honor among
ed ucators to lead them to make theil
words good under all circumstances
Respectfully. E. B. McXEEvER
H-r~@ - -.