The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-11
BENN|NG NOT GUILTY
School Board Committee so
Reports His Case.
CHARGES NOT PROVEN
His Reinstatement Held Up
Until Next Meeting.


A. the last regular meeting Of the board
OF education there was something Of q
startling nature introduced by, one Of the
members, in the form OF charges against
one OF she city's school professore. The
board was taken with surprise in the na-
ture Of the charges that were preferred
against Professor Benning OF Kellogg
Street school and after discussing the
matter for some time decided TO make a
thorough investigation into all the facts
and appointed Monday as the day 20 be
set apart for the trial Of Professor Ben
ming. Teachers and pupils Of the schools
who had ATTENDED under the professor,
were summoned to appear before the board
to give testimony in behalf Of the defend
ant. The session lasted most Of the day,
and after all the evidence for and against
Professor Benning had been heard. Il was
decided that the matter should be turned
over to a committee Of three. for their final
Investigation and decision, TO report al a
special meeting Of the school board, which
was set for final hearing in the case yes
terday afternoon at o'clock. Promptly
al the hour set the board met in their
rooms at the city building, with President
Rutan in the chair. After calling of the
roll four members being absent, President
Rutan arose and stated the purpose Of
the meeting, which was for the hearing
OF the report Of the committee which had
been appointed 20 investigate the charges
and review all tn evidence which had been
introduced at a previous meeting Of the
board IN reference 70 the charges pre-
ferred against Professor Benning Of the
Kellogg Street school.
J. II. Stewart, who was selected by the
committee Of three to act as chairman,
then addressed the board as follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the
Board-As chairman Of the committee Of
which was appointed TO investigate the
charges brought before this board against
Professor Benning, I would say that the
committee desires to make the following
report:
After examining all the testimony for
and against the defendant, Bennlng. it
is the unanimous decision Of the commit
tee that the charges were unfounded and
unjustihable and it IS recommended that
Professor Benning be reinstated without
loss Of salary during his suspension.
tSigneQ J. c. RUTAN,
r. c. JACKMAN,
J.. II. STEWART.
Chairman Of Committee
At he end Of the reading Of the report
President Rutan asked the pleasure Of the
board, and a motion was made and sec
onded TO adopt the report. School board
member Amos Mclean jumped TO his feet
and entered a terrific protest against the
adoption Of the report Of the committee and
proceeded TO reopen the investigation right
then and there. Several suggestions were
offered by members as to how to proceed
with the business for which the board was
called together, and il was finally moved
that the board 80 into an executive session,
which carried, and spectators and reporters
were politely invited to take a walk. The
doors were closed on the backs Of those
who were so unceTemoniously bounced
and the click of the keys in the locks Of
the doors could he heard behind them. IN
a few moments a sudden outburst Of
speech was heard from the inside room,
where the board was sitting in executive
those who had scarcely gotten ten feet
away from the door through which they
had so recently passed and which caused
most OF them 70 halt and listen 70 the loud
talking OF some one Of the members, who
was protesting against the decision Of the
committee which had but a short time be-
fore made its report. The session might
just as wei have been an open one so far
as any secret discussion was concerned,
except that the member who was most de-
termined to mako his charges stick might
have been a little more guarded in his
statements had it been public.
However he made 1t rather interesting
for the board, as several suggestions were
made to effect some sort Of settlement
Of the case pending by piecemeal. 1t was
learned during the wait for the board to
come out Of their executive session, thar
the charges said 10 have caused the dis
ruption IN the boards proceedings hinged
on the point that some evidence had been
introduced the day before, and had been
substantlsted by witnesses that Professor
Benning had e. one time, in a game Of
northumberland" kissed one OF the
smaller children among his scholars. and
Idu AgL hlESEtA A4ltli4 all tit4aAA-S- eAtlt--
has It that the professor had used Ian
guage unbecomlng a gentleman. Whether
the charges were sustained or u0I, there
has not been any information given out
side of the secret chambers Of the school
boar
During the executive session held yes
terday motion was introduced 10 divide
the report Of the committee on investsa-
ton. so far as the findings were concerned
relative 70 the guilt OF Professor Benulng.
end the motion prevailed, finding the pro-
fessor not guilty as charged by a unani-
nous vote OF the board; but that part of
the report TO reinstate the professor in his
capacity as principle OF the kellogg street
school was fought TO a finish until near
dark, when the board finally agreed ama1g
themselves 10 adjourn 10 meet again when
ihe reinstatement matter could be brought
before the fun board; a. an early date.
Dr. Just as soon as members absent through
being out OF the city, and confined TO their
homes through illness. The calling Of the
meeting is subject 10 the cal. OF the presi-
deEt. The question will be disposed Of by
The reinstatement Of Professor Benning in
his former position or transferring him 70
some other school IN the city, where the
snimosity Of the chadren's parents are not
so strongly allied against his management
NJ -ba School in which ne Is the r,~frcirIa