The Washington times., 1904-04-26
A Gentleman's Gentleman?
Is This the Role Played Nowadays by
Commissioner Macfarland?

Nothing is settled until it is set
tied right; nor will anything in a
country Of democratic institutions
ever be settled permanently until
after public opinion, based upon a full
knowledge of all the facts, has had a
chance to declare itself. Neither
star-chamber proceedings, nor dark
lantern methods, nor the singularly
childish device of screwing down the
lid and sitting on it, will ever be
permitted-not even in the District
of Columbia-to hide for any length
of time from the public a knowledge
OF what its servants are doing, so
long as vigilant, fearless, and indie
pendent press stands ready to cham
pion the rights OF the weak, to ar
raign the arrogance of power, and to
uncover abuses wherever and when
ever found. And that press, we may
remark. without mentioning names,
is on deck, here and now, prepared to
do business.
We are moved to make this state
ment at This time-a statement the
truth Of which appears obvious
enough TO most people capable of
thinking-because of the attitude of
Commissioner mcfarland with refer
'ence to the charges made by the
president of the school board! Com
missioner Mcfarland has many ad-
mirable traits of character, no doubt,
but independence Of judgment and
courage Of his convictions do not
seem to figure very conspicuously
among them. So, at least, the people
of Washington will be reluctantly
forced TO conclude, if he should per-
sist in his present attitude.
What is that attitude? Having
been directed by the President of the
United States to probe certain mat
tiers involving charges of a serious
character against a member of the
school board and others, he presides
at an investigation behind closed
doors. in the course OF which, so Cen
eral Boynton charges. witnesses are
intimidated, the record is mutilated.
and irregularities are condoned, which
vitiate the whole proceeding. Calling
upon his fellow-Com-
to vindicate the wisdom
OF the you-tickle-me-and-I-tickle-you
he secures their consent
to the conclusions he has reached.
He then announces with a broad grin
that the Board of Education can have
the record in the case whenever il
sees fit to call for it. well knowing
that the board, of the Commissioners
own appointing, will never dare to
call for 1t, as long as it suspects that
that is the last thing it is expected
to do. Does Commissioner Macfar-
land fancy that stopping there will
satisfy the parents Of forty-seven
thousand children? Does he imagine
that the thinking men of this COM
easy going though they be, |
and helpless as they are by reason |
Of the fact that Congress deprived |
hem OF vote. do not resent such |
treatment which makes
he members of the school board |
mere dummies and puppets of hyp-
Noticed superior, and which assumes
hat the responsible taxpayers Of the
District are a set OF nincompoops,
unable to think straight and incapa-
Die Of putting two and two together? |
Does he believe that the men and
women composing the Board Of Edu-
alton will forever consent to hold
he bucket while he swings the white
wash brush. or that every new va
ancy on that board will increase the
hanees OF bottling up a real inyesti-
'ation by the appointment OF a dis
rect Star" gazer? In word, does
lie think that the board will forever
onsent TO remain in the absurd and
position in which 1t finds
-self today, through a refusal, on its