Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-18
REVIVAL OF ANCIENT GOSSIP.
Persons Affected Long Ago Exonerated
by Commissioners and School Board.

There have been recent indications of a
concerted effort to revive through any citi-
zens associations or newspapers which
could be thus utilized slanderous gossip.
long ago demonstrated to be baseless con-
corning the conduct of persons connected
with the public schools. to which has been
added an attack upon the fairness and hon
esty of the Commissioners In dealing with
the matter. The evident tendency of this
scandalmongering and defamation, thus
Systematically fostered is to dscredit and
injure the school management and school
system, and probably to work some de-
moralization in the teaching force. To
reduce the possible injury to the schools to
minimum Commissioner Macfarland on
Saturday night gave out the following
statement:
I'm view of recent attempts to reopen
the board Of education matter. settled more
than year ago by the unanimous action
of the Commissioners and the actien of a
majority of the board of education, and the
possible damage which those attempts may
do the public schools, it seems desirable
that l, as the Commissioner having spe-
cial supervision of the board of education
and the public school system, should state
briefly the following facts:
First. The Commissioners. on my mo-
ton, investigated in 1902 the matter in
question, and unanimously agreed that the
implied charges, never directly made, as
to the events in question. which happened
long before. were disproved by the evil
dence. This evidence was given in an ex-
ANIMATION of witnesses on oath by the pres
ent Board of Commissioners shortly after
Commissioner West came into Office, in Oc-
tober, 1902, and continuing for more than
five weeks. large number of witnesses
were examined and the inquiry took the
widest latitude. Each Commissioner acted.
usual, with independence, but there was
no difference of opinion as TO the result
r. ftar h<Nar n%
education affected was exonerated, and the
board of education officially notified
to that effect, again by the unanimous ac-
ton of the Commissioners.
Second. The board of education. hav-
ing unoer the law, exclusive Jurisdiction
of the teacher affected, and being fully
aware that 1t could have at any time. upon
request. a copy of the 3,000-page typewrit-
ten record of the investigation made by the
Commissioners. the Commissioners having
unanimously voted that the record should
be sent to the board of education when
ever 1t requested it, not only did not re-
quest it, but sent to the Commissioners a
resolution expressing its confidence in the
teacher in question. 1 may add from my
own personal knowledge, that the two
women members of the board of education.
both formerly teachers in the public schools
of Washington, both exceptionally well In
formed as to public school conditions. have
supported the teacher in question through
out.
Third That when the member Of the
board of education In question, upon the
expiration of his term of office. In June
last having been unanimously reappointed
by the Commissioners, declined the reap
pointment upon which, by authority or the
Board of Commissioners, unanimously
given. its president in an official letter.
thanked him for his seryices). the board OF
education adopted and communicated to
the Commissioners a resolution expressing
its appreciation of his character and serv-
ices and it's regret at his refusal to serve
longer.
s.These facts are of course, all matter Of
official record. They need no comment
from me-"