The San Francisco call., 1899-08-02
BRUSH APPLIED
TO McNAUGHTON
Normal Trustees Find
Him Guiltless.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SAN JOSE, Aug. 1.-The Board of Trus-
tees of the State Normal School complet-
ed its investigation of Principal James
McNaughton this morning and passed
lengthy resolutions generating him of
the charges of immortality incompetency
and lack of character.
There was decreased attendance when
the proceedings opened. Attorney Pat
ton presented the answer of Professor Nc
Naughton to the supplemental report flied
by the alumni investigating committee
yesterday. II stated that the animus
against Professor McNaughton at Tempe
AriZ. arose in 1898. when he expelled T.
G.. Holmes, student, for persistent gam
bling and drunkenness. A number of let
ters and kilograms were read speaking
highly of McNaughtOn. Two of the writ
ers were J. H. McClintock and Ben L.
Gillett. secretaries of the Normal School
boards of Arizona.
Attorney Patton made a plea for Prin-
cipal McNaughton He urged the trus-
tees to adopt resolutions eXonerating Nc
Naughton.
The board then retired into an executive
session. After two hours deliberation Il
adjourned, leaving with the secretary the
following resolutions, which it was said
had been adopted by unanimous vote:
Whereas, a petition by the commit
tee in behalf of the Alumni Association
of this school has been presented to
| this board praying for an investigation
! of the past records and standing OF
James McNaUghtOn and his capabllty
to discharge the duties OF president OF
! this school; and
| Whereas, Professor McNaughton has
! filed herein his request in writing that
! this beard fully examine and investi-
gate said matters; and
! Whereas We have received written
evidence on behalf OF said petition,
/ and on behalf of said DIR. McNaughton,
/ and as fully and carefully investigated
/ said matters the time and circum-
{ would
tain charges were filed against Pro-
| fessor McNaughton at Council Bluffs.
Iowa, while he was Superintendent o.
| Schools of said city: That the Board
| of Trustees before whom the same was
filed refused TO fix a time for or
to examine seid charges. That prior
| thereto Professor McNaughton had
! been eight successive times elected
! SUPERINTENDENT of Schools of said city
| by a unanimous vote of the board, and
that said charges and trouble arose
| out of certain controversies and per-
sonal differences and that his superin-
| tendency of said schools had therefore
been successful and long continued.
That Immediately following his resig-
| nation he was chosen president of the
State Normal School of North Dakota
| which position he occupied satisfaC-
| toriy and successfully for four years
| That while in said position in North
| Dakota said charges against him as TO
| said Council Bluns controversy were
| brought up and considered and ex-
| amined by the trustees of said school
and he was, after such investigation,
| fully sustained, exonerated and ac-
quilted by said Board of Trustees Of
Bluffs matter. That Professor Nc
Naugkton removed, after four years in
said North Dakota Normal School, TO
Tempe, Ariz., where he was elected
and acted as president of the Normal
School of Arizona at that place for
four years, from which place ne came
to this school. With his application
for the position of president of this
school Professor McNaughton present
&c of glr1N- of mi
nent educators and prominent men of
the sections where his life had been
spent. While some bitter contro-
versias have arisen, and some testi-
mony of those opposed to Professor
McNaughton and not friendly to his
educational methods career has
been introduced, and has received our
careful consideration, and while we
regret the existence of such contro-
versies and criticisms, we find, upon
the whole case. that the charges as
to any immortality or lack or integrity
on the part Of Professor McNaughton
were wholly unsustained That he is
Endorsed and recommended in such a
way by eminent educators in the East
where he. has lived. and from Arizona
to successfully preside over this
school especially if unhampered by
factions unreasonable or ill-adyised
We Therefore find the charges pn-
sustained and regret exceedingly that
unwarranted reports and charges have
ment Of DR.. McNaughton and we fear
to the injury Of the school.
we therefore call upon all friends Ut
the school. and especially Of the fac
uIty and pupils thereof. and the
Alumni Association. to join in an
honest and earnest effort to re.
establish harmony and bring renewed
success to this. the oldest-established
and we believe to be the most pros
porous normal school in our State.
Upon our part our efforts will be mn
remitting to bring harmony and sue
cess, and with the assistance Of others
| w6osa iptarozt ~ mt responefbiiitfea.