Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-10
Concerning evil Speaking, Lying
and Slandering."

sIoners of rhAIr findings of more than year
ago In an investigation then conducted INTO
school conditions attracts attention TO re-
markable case of persistent and mailsnaht
scandal-mongering, based upon the nirns'es'
of foundations and prompted by Jealousles.
spites and revengeful enmities which years
ago and again recently has deliberately
poisoned the atmosphere of the schools.
The first OF these assaults upon the good
name of persons connected with the schools
was committed In 1900 The assaiiants
were a very few persons. stung Into vicious
spitefulness by disappointments in connec-
ton with the choice OF members OF the
Board of Education and the selection OF
the superintendent and assistant superin-
teBdent of the public schools. But the new
Board of Education, when approached by
the defamers, finding no responsible person
who ventured to file direct charges. quickly
checked the beginnings of scandal by de-
claring that only specific accusations were
worthy of consideration and that only
definite charges would be considered. Later
the members of the scandal-promoting
group were encouraged by single change
of membership in the Board of Education
to try again to destroy good repute without
risk to themselves by forcing the official
investigation of mere hints, innuendos based
on suspicion and whispered defamatory
gossip. Through ingenious scandal-foster-
ing and the skillful manipulation and use
of few prominent men, this little clique.
now reinforced by an official of the Board
of Education, finally succeeded in subject
ing to a microscopic and rigorous investiga-
ton the characters and lives of the victims
of its calumnies, persons against whom no
.1,.,a
Full exoneration by the official action of
the Commissioners and the Board of Edu-
cation duly followed the Commissioners
critical and searching investigation. as set
forth in the official statement printed today.
The independence, impartiality and inauis-
itorial- zeal, the self-assertive personalities
and the differing viewpoints of the three
men constituting this tribunal gave to their
unanimous and strongly worded vindication
peculiar weight and impressiveness.
The verdlcts of the Commissioners and
the Board of Education were not only a
vindication of. the persons under trial. but
were of necessity in effect a condemnation
of any who were exposed by the evidence
as guilty of the malicious circulation of
baseless scandal. 1t was thought, however.
that the interests of the schools would be
best served by quietly closing the case at
this point and emitting to pursue any of
the indirect accusers, who were practically
convicted by the acquittal of the DETAINED;
the assumption being that the generating
action Of the Commissioners and Board of
Education had placed the INDICATED beyond
the slightest danger of further attack and
that baffied defamers would be glad to con-
sign the affair to oblivion, happy to escape
unpublished.
Recently, however, more than a year after
the indicating action of the municipal au-
. thorities. defamation raised again its venom
Gus head. The stale scandal was again
revived and promoted by one or two of the
old clique, In whom vIndictiveness apparent
ly could not die. A local publication eager
ly enlisted in the campaign Systematic
efforts to poison the minds of members of
citizens associations were begun. Failing
almost entirely In this attempt open ubelous
attacks were made upon the Commissioners
and Board of Education, based upon the
vindication of the DETAINED which they had
declared. The honesty of the Investigation
and exoneration were by Implication denied
There was a clear imputation of white
washing of dshonorably making a decision
which was obviously unsustained by the
evidence of record. and of ccwardly con-
cealment OF this record in order to hide
conscious dishonor. Manipulation of wit
nesses, suppression of testimony. accept
ance of and action upon perjured evidence
were all indirectly imputed. Two of the
Commissioners were also accused in effect and
by implication of being weak and unfaithful
judges. cravenly submitting their con-
sciences and Wills to the domination of their
associate and of rendering at his dictation
an insincere and consequently dishonest
verdict.
This defamation finally became so
clamorous that Representative, who had
been led to believe that the Commissioners
took no action upon their school investi-
CATION. was induced TO propose resolution
calling for the papers in the case to be
sent TO the House. move which has
caused the Commissioners to make public
their vindicatory findings which are print
ed today.
Inc commissioners may doubtless be re-
lied upon. in their own time and in a suita-
BILE and effective manner to vindicate man.
fully their official and personal integrity
and the honesty and sincerity of their
verdict; and in doing so to perform their
plain duty OF protecting from renewed I'M
Just assault the good repute of individuals
whom they have unanimously and sincere
ly exonerated, and of preserving the credit
and welfare of the public schools and OF
the District government, which calumny
has threatened
But the checking of this campaign of
defamation so harmful to individual repu-
tation. official repute. the fair fame of the
teachers and the credit of the schools and
of the District will probably not be left to
the slow processes OF official action An
aroused public opinion. the communities
outraged sense of fair play and it's
righteous indignation will Surely make
themselves felt. The Commissioners are
men whose high character and unassaila-
BILE integrity give them the confidence and
respect of the community. The attacks
upon them, and incidentally upon the
credit of the District government. will
make no Roadway among the people of
Washington and will react disastrously
upon INSCRIPTIONS ASSISTANTS Public
opinion will rally strongly to the Com
support.
No. one who knows well either General
Harries or Mrs Myers would believe a
word of defamatory gossip concerning
either of them. The good repute that Is