Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-12-09
COWLES SUSTAINED
School Board Endorse His Posi-.
ton in Controversy.
ONLY 4 MEMBERS PRESENT
and Each Rendered Long Decision In
the Matter. Miss Hope VIII Ap,
zeal from the Boards Action,
Other Local News.

The. Hampton School Eoard has sus-
1i1ined Professor Dudley r. ow!es, prn-
cpal OF the high school in THE contru-
EersE arising over the promotion OF 4
pupil 70 the high school over the pro
lest or Miss Mollie l.. Hope. teacher ~
the eighth grade
ne decision that endorses the princi-
pal IS concurred III by only TWO mem
beers OF the beard ana each rendered.
his decision, which while they are bot,
OF the opinion that Mr. CGWles hal tn .
authority to promote tn. pupil are in
many respects different.
4 ne BOARD met yesterday afternoon 1t
q clock in the school building and for
three hours listened to the statements
OF both Professor tCowles and Miss
Hope
When the meeting was called to order
b. Chairman Schmelz there We're pres
emit in the room besides Messrs. Rich
board, Miss Hope, Mayor Hope, Mr..
r. G. Bickford. of Newport News. woo
was there as counsel Cor Miss Hope.
Professor Cowles and his counsel. Mr..
X. NJ. Lett, CT Newport News, and AS
slstant Principal John Elliott. of the
Hampton school.
Mr.. Schmelz in opening the proceed
lnSs said that he regretted to announce
that captain Scherrlerhorn, Il member
OF the board. WOULD not be present ut
the hearing, but gave no reason for TIL :.
absence of the gentleman. However,. 1t
afterwards leaked out that Captain
Sytherrerhorn had during the week ten
dered his resignation as a member Of
the school board.
Mr.. Schnlelz then stated that after 4
conference me and the other member II
the school board had determined tho,
could come to Il conclusion and an
nounced That they would go into the in
vest.gation Without amy unnecessary
evidence. They Were willing To haze
Miss Hope and professor Cpwles each
make Il statement. but any further evil
dence was entirely unnecessary ana
superfiuous. 1t was evident from Nj.
Sehmelz's statement that the board II. |
determined upon their proceedings ana
also intended to SO ito i, without the
assistance of either attorney.
When chairman Schme!z took his
seat Mr.. BiC!fcrd took the floor ana
said he was, there on the invitation %
the board. Mr.. Bickfor,l then retired
and was absent during tha proceedings
Chairman Schmez asked Mr.. Hope to
state his sisters position which he did
MISS ItClE.'S CHARGES.
Mayor Hope began By announcing
years ago q: pupil entered the school.
He remained Two years in his sisters
room and at the end of that time had
not Obtained The efficiency required 81
q pupil in order that he might 5e pro
NOTED to a higher grade. He then S tat
"a that the pupil was caught cheating
which act was reported to the princi-
pal. Mr.. Cowles said lie would have
him removed after investigating the
charges His Sister did not wish 20
make him undergo such an enlbarrass-
ment and would not consent to having
the young boy expelled. AT the open
Ing OF this session the principal asllei
the teacher to allow the pupil to De
promoted. Wllieh she consentedto bu-
after thinking the matter over told Pro
fessor Cowles that she could not agrea
TO the promotion asked for as she was
afraid it would not work tc the best
interest OF sithe school. Mr.. Hops :
statement was just about the same as
has already been published in these col
unns.
MIR coMLEs' STATEMENT.
Professor COwles in opening said Miss
Hope had come Very nea: stating th=
case lHe had made no contention III It
She had not done her duty. He did no.
intend to make a reflection against Miss
Hope He Thought a 10y should not 70:
required to remain in one room three
his mind. Mr.. Gowes S' then ,.sS cited = !.
number of authorities subs.antiatn.:
his position. Mr.. Ccwle@ then state,
a conversation he had had with County
Superintendent Willis regarding tue
promotion OF another pupil
Here MI. Willis said he did not re-
member having had such q talk VITA
Mr.. NpWleS, but was not willing to state
positively that he had not.
The remainder of Mr.. Cowles' state
1nent was about the same as has al
ready been published.
Mr.. Hope made a short reply to Mr..
CoWles' statement, but brouhgt out no
thing new.
Mr. Schmelz and Mr. Richardson said
they had each prepared a statement be
fore coming to the meeting. and as thev
had heard no new evidence from what
had already been given out they Were
ready to read them.
Al1'. SchmelZ report covered two pages
of typewriter matter. and after paying
Il compliment to the principal. Miss,
Hope and Mr.. s. G. Cumming. the for
n,er principal. closed as follows:
MIR. CoWles did not trangress. his
right as he. had the right TO make this
promotion OF the pupil to the high r
grade. but in View CT the relationenA
sustained TO the pupil it would hay..
been the part of wisdom not to have
insisted on exercising his right
In Mr.. Ri,har dson's paper which WAS
also lengthy, he sustained MIR. Cowles
When the papers had been read.
Mayor Hope. said his sister would ask
for an appeal to the county superinten-
dent.
Mr., willis then said lie was willing
to give his. decision. bu1 Mr.. Hope OH
jected.
The case will be hearl before Nh.
Willis to-day at T. 8 clock.
PlAGE GETS THREE MONTHS.