Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-11-29
LAWYERS TO ARGUE
The Much Mooted ifope-Cowles
Case.
THE INVESTIGATION BEGUN
But Cut Short by Prof. Cowles. Refusal
to Pr oceed Without Counsel. Many
Witnesses to BE Heard.
Other News.

The investigation by the Hampton
School Board Of the trouble leading up
TO the controversy over the promotion
OF q pupil by Principal Dudley r. Cow
les against the protest Of Miss Mollie
l.. Hope, teacher OF the eighth grade in
the Hampton school, now promises to
be a long drawn out, and holly contest
eu battle. in which legal brain is to be
employed.
The board met yesterday for the pur-
pose OF bringing the trouble 70 a focus,
but it VAS soon evintsd that the uues-
ton Will give the gentlemen on the
board no little trouble before an enia-
cable agreement is arrived at
When Chairman H. T.. ScEmelz called
the body TO order in his private office
At Schmez Bros. banking house. there
We're present Mcssrs. j. w. Richardson
and George Schermerlorn from the
board. Miss Hope and Mayor ]. 3.
Hope and Principal Cowles. Professor
j. NJ. Willis was also present.
Secretary Richardson read the min
utes Of the previous meetings, which
We're approved
Chairman Schmelz in stating the OBJ
jest tor which the board had assembled
said il vas a thing that he sincerely de-
precated, but as ii was now before the
body he thought the, parties concerned
should make some special charge so as
to give the board The proper material
10 work upon. HI though, It would be
best for Miss Hope 70 make her state
nent and then Principal Cowes. with
the privilege granted each party to
question the otilci. regarding the
charges preferred.
MI. Willis then took the floor ana
said he was present 1T, the meeting on
the invitation OF the board. and if III.
board deemed it proper he was ready at
any time to give full and complete
statement as he saw the case. He hla
exhausted every effort to bringing the
parties together but all had proved in
vain.
The chairman was Of the opinion that
in view OF the fact that in case either
side should appeal from the decision of
board. that as Mr.. Willis was county
superintendent, ana it would be incum-
bent upon him as such to render a
decision also. it would be better for Alr.
Willis not 10 testify at this time.
Professor COw!es said he was under
the impression that he was simply
there 70 answer TO q charge Of trans
cending his authority as principal of
the school in promoting a pupil. it was
for Miss Hope 70 prefer the charge and
he would. Of course, be compelled TO
answer them
Mayor Hope in speaking for his sis
ter said he thought the trouble was
apparent TO the board. His sister. as
the board knew, was Of the opinion that
she had been improperly treated BY the
principal when over her protest he saw
IL - fIoll!ote q i,uIil. MISS nope WAS
perfectly willing 70 meet the issue face
70 face, and would do all she could to
throw light on the trouble. In fact
they We're there counting an inNestiga-
ton. Mayor Hope said he was per
fectly willing TO reduce the charges u
writing. but he would necessarily have
to ask the boards Indulgence until he
could take the time required for such
Work.
This was followed by a discussion OF
Ifl Ia h.. MIR cd nv h,,
board. which resulted in the following
paper being prepared by the chair:
The Hampton school Board met this
2Sth day of November 1859 at The office
OF Schmelz Bros. banking house 70 lis
ten TO and beside the charges made
against Mr.. Cowles, the principal of the
Graded School. by Miss Hope. one Of
the teachers, VINO claims that Mr.
Cowles transressed his rights as plin-
cipal and invaded her rights as teacher
in one OF the departments OF the school
in promoting a pupil 10 another grade
against her protest.
Without commenting upon the sub
ject the chair offered tbs. above as a
basis under which the investigation
WOULD proceed. 1t met With the appro-
baton Of both Miss Hope and Professor
CnWleS.
Here Professor Cowles took the floor
and argued against Mayor Hopes pres
ellce as counsel in the case Tor his SIS
ter II one side was to DE represented
by counsel Professor Cowles. thought
it only just that he should be accorded
the same privilege. He was certainly
net willing TO enter INFO the matter I'M
less he had a representative. In order
20 secure ;he services OF an attorney he
would like for the board to adjourn over
for u day.
n vote was taken Which resulted in
the unanimous approval of the eN-
tension asked for The board then ad-
jcurned to meet again this afternoon at
$50 o'clock in the Academy building.
With this turn in the unfortunate
affair, it will require the sunMnoning Of
quite a large number OF witnesses, as
there is unGCMb tealy 4 determination
upon the part of the contestants to fight
the matter TO a finish. The other teach
erS in the school. who endorsed Miss
Hopes action at the beginning of the
trouble will De required to appear before
the board as Witnesses. Just What viii
result from this move is a proposition
that may take ten days TO work out.
Miss Hope will secure the services Of
an able attorney. While Professor
Eowles will also have I. lawyer Of prom
inence to represent him.
The investigation will be open to the
public.
NI4ARHHIED SEVEN YEARS.