The San Francisco call., 1901-12-22
Lyser Called in Rebuttal.

not hiDted at by the defense on his direct
examination and McPike entered a pro
test. Casserly pompously overruled the
attorneys objection, with the announce
ment that he would allow him an excep-
ton.
Your Honor is very kind" replied Nc
Pike sarcastically. IF you will tell me
what higher court is to pass upon the
exceptions you may be good enough to
allow me 1 will be pleased to take ad-
vantage Of your generous Offer"
Casserly whispered with Mrs Kincaid,
and after a brief consultation he said he
would examine Lyser in his own way,
and he proceeded to carry out his inten-
ton in characteristic manner. He drew
out Lyser's story in fragments as it suit
ed his convenience, and If Lyser sought
to explain himself Casserly shut him off
remorselessly. Casserly dwelt with ap-
parent delight upon every point made
against Knowlton and each reply to his
questions was repeated by him with the
air OF one who was surprised that such
frightful incompetency as Knowlton dis
played could have been tolerated in the
School Department for so many years.
In his examination Lyser evinced much
bitterness of feeling against Knowlton,
and his eagerness to parade the short
comings of the veteran educator was
shown in the irrelevant and ungram-
matical verbosity with which he enter
tained the board and spectators.
"Give us specific illustrations of Knowl-
tons incompetency," said Director Den
man in the course of Lyser's lecture upon
the best methods of educating the young.
"Well," replied Lyser musingly, "he
never followed the law of mental associ-
atom
whats that?" interrupted McPike in
surprise.
Let the witness proceed" said Casse--
ly severely.
Yes, SIR resumed Lyser dreamiIy. che
lacked the faculty of what Herbert calls
apperception."
Precisely" remarked Casserly tri-
umphantly. HE Observation-Disclosures
ceed, sir
Stocks Are Discussed.
/ Lyser told of a conversation with
Knowlton in which the latter admitted
that he did not thoroughly understand the
subject of stocks upon which his pupils
were examined one day. The result was
that 70 per cent of the pupils failed to
properly answer a question put to them
relative to a stock transaction.
'Ah, yes interjected Casserly. Stocks
a:e queer things. Some days they are up
and some days they are down."
This wise observation lost its force
when McPike began his cross-examina-
ton OF Lyser. 1t then developed that the
question alluded to was so ambiguous tina
the pupils could not answer it without
first applying for a diagram to Lyser.
! WHO, as principal, had framed it. Lyser
made one or two damaging admissions in
the course of his examination by McPike.
one being that under the present system
OF education in this city it was possible
for a teacher to work indefinitely without
doiEg an honest days work.
'"I don't what this has to do with
Knowlton's competency" said Casserly
petulsntly.
You have charged" said McPike of
the witness, that Knowlton talks too
much You do a little talking yourself.
don't your"
Sometimes" was tho answer.
Casserly bobbed up with a strong obtec-
ton to this line of questioning and he
administered a severe rebuke to the at
torney, who insisted that he was acting
within his legal scope. McPike then asked
IIyser II 1t was not true that nine teach
ers for one class were employed at the
| SWEET school within a period of two
mcrths, to which the witness replied in
the Affirmative.
Casserly Again Objects.
''That is a matter of record" said Cas-
serly. There is no use going over tina.
81 ound."
II choose to do so,' replied McPike
firmly II will say here that under the
circumstances 1t is strange that Knowl-
ton, who was in charge of one class two
months, should be tried for fncompetency
when there is testimony here that nine
teachers were employed to teach one class
Tor similar period"
That's irrelevant, incompetent and i'm
material" answered Casserly coldly.
isn't it a fact that seven of the nine
pupils who testified in behalf of Knowlton