Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-22
:
FAVORs SWAR TzELL
Principal Retained in Eastern
High School
BY MAJORITY VOTE
BRIEF BY MIR. sWARTZELL IN
HIS OWN DEFENSE.
Mentions Those Whom He Regards as
Ringleaders in Trouble - Other
Business Before Board.

The long-pending and much-discussed
case Of Mr.. F. F. Swartxell. principal OF the
Eastern High School. was finally disposed
OF by the board of education last night by
decision to retain Mr.. Swartzell In his
position. This result was reached after a
full and thorough discussion Of the case in
all its bearings and was based mainly on
the idea that the success of the school sys-
tenn depended on the maintenance of dis
cipline rather than In humoring the wishes
OF recalcitrant pupils.
AS usual the proceedings Of the board
were conducted behind closed doors, but
when the speakers voices were raised, as
not infrequently occurred, their words were
heard by interested people who were out
side awaiting the result.
AS previously arranged, Mr.. Swartzell
last night presented his brief in reply to
the criticisms against his administration at
the Eastern High School. His contention
was that the relations between faculty and
principal were unusually harmonious; that
the highest educational results had been
attained in the school; that the school was
well administered; that the order and dis
cipline were good, and that the best in
terests of the school required the retention
of the principal
Upon the request Of the protestants, the
board granted Thomas w. Smith and A. F.
Sperry, president and secretary, respec-
lively, of the East Washington Citizens
Association, permission to attend the meet
ing during the consideration Of Mr.. Swart-
zelis brief Mr.. Swartzell remained in the
outside library during the meeting, ready
to respond promptly to any inquiry by the
board.
Although the proceedings were secret, as
stated, the board permitted the reporters
to see the brief filed by Mr.. Swartzell and
at the conclusion of the meeting the secre-
tary announced simply that the board had
decided by majority vote to retain Mr.
Swartzell in charge of the Eastern High
School. 1t is understood the vote stood
4 to 3.
1t was after midnight when the action
OF the board was announced, and most Of
the members hurried away, apparently to
avoid being interviewed on the subject. One
of the officials however. authorized the
statement that the decision is expected by
a majority of the board to end the Swart-
Zell matter for all time and to make for a
better conduct in all the schools of the Dis
trict 1t is the boards idea that "revolu-
lions on the part Of pupils resenting an en-
forcement Of the rules of the educational
system will be put down." The Ill feeling
of the opponents of the principal is ex-
pected to die down, and the members be-
leve that the school will be a model one
in the District.
Mr.. Parker Gratifed.
Mr.. E. Southland Parker expressed his
pleasure at the settlement of the long con-
troversy II think the board took the only
position that 1t logically and justly could
take" said he. ut was a question Of
whether discipline In the schools should be
maintained or whether those who disobeyed
the rules should be upheld. We decided
in favor of discipline
1.-THE teachers generally throughout the
city were interested in the retention OF
Mr. SwartzeIl for that reason, and our de-
cision will uphold their hands.
'Mr. Swartzell did his duty, and did 1t
30 well that he brought better educa,
tional results than any other high schooi
in the city, and it was our duty to uphold
him. We did so, and now l feel sure
that the matter is finally settled, and that
the school will be in a better condition than
it ever was"
Mr. Swartzell was seen as he was leaving
the building. Il am, of course, grained,
said he Il could not but feel that the de-
cision would be as 1t was, because OF the
evidence in the case Dut am neVeflhe
gratifed. .,,o.o ,uh,
have opposed me. They have had their say
and my friends have had theirs with the
result which you know. The school is in a
splendid condition and the number or pupils
is larger than at the same time last year;
/ feel that harmony ana schoiarsh'p Will
prevail"
The Principals Brief.
Prof Swartzelrs brief was long and deait
seriatim with each of the charges maue
against his administration of the Eastern
School. 1t is in part as 1olio"s'
LAS evidenced by some Of the questions
nropounded to me by members OF the poard'
certain charges or imputations against me
have been made by persons VINO nave no.
ATTEMPTED to corrOborate them ana WIZ
have not accorded me the fairness or maN
ing them openly and allowing me to kno"
by whom or under what circumstances tney
have been preferred. Among these are the
charges that I have instituted species OF
detective service in the high school; that
have listened at doors to conversations De
tween teachers that have secretly WATCH
ed the physical drills of the female pupils,
and the like. AS no evidence whatever mas
been adduced in support OF any these
charges as no responsible author OF oflsi
nator of them has presented himself, ana
as 1t is entirely apparent from the testl-
mony Of the teachers of the high school,
which has been elected, that the relations
between us are utterly lncohsIsteht WIZ. WIZ
any such conditions, suppose must rest
content with the reiteration OF the speclnc
and emphatic denial which have. given 10
their truth, or to the existence OF any fact
or facts which could give falr or honesl
color to them.
Eavesdropping Alleged.
1.-THE only eavesdropping In this entire
controversy Of which have any knowl-
edge is that performed of which suppose
the board has cognizance. at some or It's
meetings during the present hearings, by
three
for the recent troubles at the Eastern High
School, and which conduct on their part l
here refer to as proper to be considered In
passing upon the weight to be given to
their opposition.
almost to be classed with the charges
above noted are those of unwarranted
suspicion of the veracty Of pupils. Of the
grudging granting of favors. OF tyran-
meal attitude, and the like of which
charges, after careful examination of the
testimony, think 1t not too much to say
that there is no evidence or attempt at
confederation requiring serious considera-
ton.
'Of the eighteen teachers connected with
the Eastern High School, eight have been
examined by you. could have wished
most heartily that the entire eighteen might
have been examined, but assume from the
fact that the board discontinued this line
of evidence. after hearing eight OF the
teachers, that 1t Is satisfied with the testi-
mony Of that number upon the points In
controversy, as to which enlightenment was
obtainable from the teaching force. With
out consuming time in details. 1t Is entirely
apparent from the testimony of all these
teachers Mr.. Wallis included, that there
have been no dissensions. disagreements,
cliques or factions in the Eastern High
School but that on the contrary, de-