Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-10-18
Teachers Commend Attitude Of
s. the Lady in the Case.
SCHOOL BOARD TO BElNVOKED
Petition Asking for Investigation of the
Case Reported to Have Been Drawn
Up. State Superintendent May
@> III BE Appealed To.

The trouble resulting from the resig-
nation OF Miss Mollie Hope as teacher
in the Hampton Academy, owing to the
action OF Principal Dudley r. Cowles
in promoting his brother over Miss
Hopes protest. is assuming an exceed
ing1y disagreeable aspect for Principal
Cowles.
The general concensus Of opinion yes
terday was that Mr. Cowles had gone
4 step too far in insisting upon pro-
noting his brother after he had failed
TO pass his examinations. The matter
was the topic of general conversat ton.
and a considerable amount OF adverse
criticisms was inliulged in.
There We're interesting DEVELOPMENTS
yesterday. and before the question s
entirely disposed OF there are likely to
be other interesting Incidents
The teachers of the Hampton A,cad-
envy yesterday showed their feeling in
the matter by drawing up paper in
which they commended Miss Hopes at
titude. After expressing their regret
that such an unfortunate occurrence
should have taken place at this time
they closed their paper by endorsing
Miss Hope. To prove their loyalty to
their co-worker. the young ladies deci-
ded to make their expressions public
published as an advertisement in the
Daily Press They are convinced that
Miss Hope has not been shown the
proper courtesy by Principal Cowles
ana their determination to publicly ex-
press this demonstrates their feeling.
VT is understood on good authority
that several friends of Miss Hope have
drawn up petition to be presented to
the school board which asks that bod v
to at once take ZIP the mat tier and
thoroughly air the circumstances OF the
case. The petition has already been
signed by many of Miss Hopes patrons
and there is no doubt but what all Will
add their signatures to it. /"
The authorities connected With the
school still refuse to give out any
statements concerning the case. but the
facts are gradually becoming known.
and the more that is brought out the
more determined are Miss Hopes ad-
lnirers to see justice done to everyone
While many feel that Miss Hope has
been unjustly dealt with they are viii
ling to admit that the school has pros
pered under Prof. CowleS' administra-
ton. and due credit is given him for
his excellent work. Everyone greatly
depiOreS the unfortunate affair but the
general public believe thar an inveSti-
cation will result in Miss Hopes favor.
1t is also the belief of a large number
OF the patrons OF the school that SnouEl
the school board desire to defer action
to some later date. state Superint end
emit Southall will have to be asked to
settle the unatter.
Much comment was also INDUCED in
yesterday as TO Prof Jenkins attitude
In rendering his decision Prof. Jenkins
stated that no such controversy would
have arisen in his school as me would
have accepted the teachers opinion in
the matter of promoting Il pupil. Not
understanding this assertion. Prof. Jen-
kins' desire was in favor of allowing
young tCoWles to remain in a higher
grade. simply because he had been
placed there three weeks before. How
ever. Prof Jenkins may have erred. but
no one believes he would have willing
ay or knowingly given a decision which
he was not heartily in accord with