Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-05-14
GOES FOR SCHOOL BOARD
''Patron' Scores Members for
Holding Secret Session.
He DEFENDS PROF. C, H. COLE
Says The Effort 70 Gust Him Is Influenced
BY Selfish and Partisan Motives
on The Part Of Members.
He DEFENDS PROF. C, H. COLE
on The Part Of Members.

on Inc fart OF WetHUcis'
Editor OF The Evening World;
Dear Sir-The reported proceedings
Of the school board and the subse.
ouent interview by your reporter
with the president o. the board, dur
ing last week, showed concerted eff
fort of that body at once alarming to
the friends and patrons OF our city
schools. Our school board should
always be free OF men having dispo-
sition to foist upon the board schemes
of personal ambition and selfishness.
whoever dreamed of our city school
board, like that august body, the
United States Senate) going into Sc
cret session behind closed doors2 Who
of the board asked for a secret session
1t developed that John r. Panlding,
J. Fl. Whetzel and Robert Selbert de-
manded secret session, not first hav-
ing made known their object to the
president and other members OF the
board. What were the secrets they
had for the board to consider?
Mr.. John T. Paulding stated tnat
he desired the privilege to take an
/ architect to the Hioh sch 'ol building
with view to plan for an addition
there to- This was no secret, but, 1t
served to get Mr.. Paulding on his feet
to tell q secret that ought to bring
IL - -t,o RI
was this, that he, stalwart reppbli-
can had conspired with two democrats
to displace Prof. O. H. Cole from the
position of Superintendent of the city
school and principal of the High
school. | refer TO the political status
of Commissioners Paulding, Seibert
and Whetzel, because they were elect
ed on party tickets Prof. Cole is
republican in politics. and of no dis
position to be blatant or offensive,
but most gentlemanly and courteous
to his opponents. Mr.. Paulding
adopted the policy of combining with
the two democrats, seeing that he
could use them to an end. while he
could not use Commissioners Russler
and Snowden, two republicans, to the
same end. MI. Paulding conceived
the idea some months back that an
old school mate, a Dir. Brindle, am
told, could have Prof. Coles position.
Mr.. Paulding seems to want to run
the High school regardless of the
board. In advance of any action by
the board he said that PROF. Cole
would not be engaged for another
year; the people wanted change, as
the work was not progressing in a
satisfactory manner.
Who are the people that want a
change? The probability In refer
ence is had to several classes of dissat-
is fed people. Those who don't like
Prof. Cole because he is a republican.
namely, Seibert and Whetzel, demo.
Gratis. Those who have refractory
children in the High school and ex-
pect Prof. Cole to do what is not
done at home. This hue and cry by
a few chronic grumblers ABOUT froI.
Cole is mistaken by the terrified mem
bers of our board for popular senti-
ment. Intelligent public sentiment
heartily endorses and commends Prof.
Cole for his able management and eff
fective work in our schools. That
this courteous, polished gentle nan
aud educator should receive such
shameful treatment is revolving to
that sense of justice abroad with the
good people of Martinsburg.
Dear Editor, ask that you will
permit me to unfold through your
columns what the people of Martins
burg should yet know of the situation,
and then AN indignation meeting will
be in order.
Patron.