The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-03
CARBONDALE.
HocKENBERRY DID NOT RESIGN
Stormy Session of the School Board
Saturday Night.

Saturday Night.
The school board gave a three-hour
continuous performance in he assem-
bly, room of the Central building sat
urday night 10 the presence of a large
and enthusiastic audience. Applause
was frequent unstinted, impartial.
All the turns" bore the stamp of
painstaking rehearsal and each player
acquitted himself admirably. Dra-
matte intensity waXed with the pro-
gress of the entertainment and moth
ing was lacking save the settings A
fitting background to the closing
scenes would have been forest at
sunrise with swords, pistols and sec
onds.
BOARD BUYS BRAINS.
The meeting opened harmoniously.
Collector w. 1I. Watts bond of Sl5,OoO
was accepted and an agent sold the
board a half dozen brains at $2.4O In
less time than It takes to tell 1t. Prob
ably without any reflection on the
board the superintendent said he
thought they could be used to advan-
tage They are made in sections or
some haru substance and will be of
great interest and help to the student
who wishes 10 contemplate the con-
daily work.
Then a resolution was adopted re-
quiring the superintendent to keep an
account of all books delivered to prin-
cipals and requiring the principals to
do the same when the distribution to
the teachers is made; also, that an in
ventory be taken at the end of the
school term.
After the adoption of some books
recommended at a meeting of board
and teachers and the report of build
ing committee which stated that No.
s school will not be ready to open un-
til Sept. 10, the first really interesting
question arose--that of curriculum.
FIGHT OVER COURSE.
Hockenberry. Gallagher and Moon
constitute the committee on course and
Mr.. Noon submitted a minority report
recommending that the course be left
unchanged. The majority report read
by Professor Hockenberry, embraces
all the studies of last years course
except moral philosophy, but it makes
about half of them elective, whereas
last year they were all required. A
motion TO accept the minority report
was lost by a tie vote, as was a mo-
ton to accept the majority report.
Hockenberry, Hughes and Gallagher
wished to change the course, while
Moon, Swigert and Kerwin wished to
retain the old one.
After an hours speech making, in
which neither side gained anything
except appause-Professor HoCken-
berry said that unless a course was
adopted nothing could be taught when
school opens Tuesday morning but the
common branches specified in the
school law. Suddenly he moved that
in addition to those branches algebra
be taught in the High school. This
rather surprised the opposition and, as
no negative votes were cast, he de-
clared the motion carried. The other
studies of his course which he desired
to be made compulsory We're adopted
in the same way-by affirmative votes
of Hockenberry, Hughes and Gala
CHER
After half a dozen studies had been
passed upon Swigert called attention
to the law requiring four votes to
make such work legal. A consultation
of authority ensued and Chairman
Hockenberry finally ruled that the
clause applied to general courses only
and, as this was a special course, the
work went on.
The board endorsed the old curricu-
lum for all grades below the High
school.
Hockenberry favored extending the
time of the business course from three
to four years, but finally accepted tho
old arrangement.
He also recommended a post-gradu-
ate training course of two years and
a a6Unpa pl1ln I've
studies be taught in classes of fewer
than five, but these matters, remained
unacted upon.
Dryden CONTRACT ILLEGAL.
Secretary Hughes read a voluminous
opinion from Attorney Butler the
board counsel, in which it was stated
that the extension of w. d. Dryden 5
contract was illegal and that Profess
sor Dryden cannot possibly establish
a claim against the district in case
another principal is elected.
Mr. Moon said Professor Dryden was
willing to teach gratuitiously if he
cannot establish his right in court tC
the position, and Hockenberry char
acterized his deal with the old board
as the dirtiest trick ever played in
Pennsylvania school affairs.
iOl SpeeCHeS lOllOWeu Dy SWlBerl
and Hughes, but after the smoke
cleared away Professor c. NJ. Leshel
was elected acting principal, with Will
son Geary to assist him, until such
time as a permanent principal be elect.
ed. The vote was four to two, Mr.
Moon voting in the affirmative.
Secretary Hughes said Mr.. Bryder
had refused to hand over the KEYS tC
the buildings and the indications are
that he will be on hand tomorrow
morning to teach.
Professor Hockenberry did not re.
sign, as expected, as he did not see the
necessary number of votes to elect him
principal, and it is needless to SAY
that if he cannot regain the principal.
ship he will remain a member of the
board.