Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-10-17
MISS HOPE RESIGNS
Leaving Professor Cowles in an
Awkward Position.
HE'LL BE ASKED TO EXPLAIN
~. the Principal Abused His Authority,
III by Promoting His Brother Unde-
!, (. servedly to Higher Grade.

ss The announcement made in sundays
Daily Press of the resignation Of Miss
Mollie Hope. u popular teacher in the
hampton Academy, was the cause for
much regret on the part of her pupils
and patrons by whom she has been
always held in the highest esteem. The
circumstances surrounding Miss Hopes
determination to leave the school have
been the subject of great deal of
comment among the patrons of the
school.
The trouble leading up to this de-
termination arose at the close of the
session last year. and. while the au-
thorities. connected with the Hampton
Academy positively refuse to talk CON
corning the trouble. the Daily Press
correspondent yesterday obtained the
1olioWlng facts from a person who is
In position 70 know what he is talk
ing about:
T. Principal Dudley r. Cowles, of the
Hampton school, has a brother who is
a student in Miss Hopes room. and it
lis claimed by Miss Hopes friends that
ne utterly failed to pass the exanlina-
lion last year which would have ertitl-
ea him to>a promotion to the higher
There are other things charged against
young Cowles, which it is said would
have kept him from being promoted.
AT the beginning of the session this
year it is said. Principal Cowles went
TO Miss Hope and asked her consent
to promoting his brother although he
mad failed to make the required aver
age on his examinations. Miss Hope
was opposed 70 such a step and
believed that it would set a new pre-
cedent i'll the school should such a
thing occur. Principal Cowles. how
ever, decided to give his brother the
promotion and so informed Miss Hope,
who replied by saying she would re-
sign her position before she would sub
init to anything Of the kind. The mat
ter was then referred to County Sup
erintendent Of Schools, J. NJ Willis,
who decided that the best way to set
tie it would be to leave it to the decis-
ion Of another principal This was
partially agreed TO by Miss Hope and
Prof CoWles Saturday Prof. Jenkins
principal Of the Portsmouth schools
: ca me to Hampton. for the purpose Of
acting as arbitrator in the case. After
hearing the matter stated Prof Jen-
kins gave his decision in favor OF Prof
Cowles, claiming that as the young
man had been in the higher grade
three weeks it would be better to
leave him there until he demonstrate
his eligibility to a higher grade
tfh3. soon as Miss Hope learned Of Prof
y enkins decision, she Immediately ten
dersd her resignation as a teacher in
the schools. as she was OF the opinion
that she had outlived her usefulness
in the school.
4. The Daily Press CORES pondent. ca He'd
on Prof. Willis, Prof. Cowles and Miss
Hope yesterday nd asked each of them
to give out a statement regarding the
trouble. but they We're all averse to
having any publicity made Of the mat
ter
Prof Cowles said Miss Mary Black
more had been substituted to temper
ariy fill the place made vacant by
Miss Hopes resignation. He was in
clined to the belief that that lady
would eventually be chosen 10 the posi-
ton. He would not, under any amount
OF persuasion give out any statement
concerning the trouble. claiming that
he did not want to appear in news
paper controversy.
Prof. Willis was also opposed to Civ
ing any publicity to the trouble until
after the matter had been settled by
meeting Of the school board, which
will likely be, held as soon as Henry
Schmelz returns from North Carolina,
!, Mr. Smelz' being a member Of the
school board.
Miss Hopewas not willing to be quoted
either, but stated that she would rather
NOT have anything to appear as coming
from her until later.
The citizens of Hampton generally
have expressed themselves very freely
on the treatment received by Miss
Hope, and many believe the action
taken by Prof. Cowles to be fragrant,
partially owing to the fact that several
other. pupils made much higher marks
than young Edward Cowles and they
I are not to be promoted.
Prof. Cowles has been principal Of
!. the Hampton school for three years,
during which time he mas built the
schools up until now it stands third in
rank with the public schools Of Vir-
girsia. He is an excellent teacher and
] has always gotten along nicely with
his teachers.
Miss Hope has taught in the high
school for the past twelve years and
her conduct has won for her the friend
ship and admiration Of every one She
is the sister Of Mayor Hope.
- q TAI X F1D lstEsN1EyT3l AISEl