The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-06-27
POLITICS IN the
SCHOOL BOARD
East Providence High School
Principals Torrid Letter.
he RESIGNS HIS POSITION
direct Attack on Supt. Keith, WhoFl Hs
Calls Incompetent, and Committeeman
Budloag Erralgned.

Charges of self-ack cknowledged mcom-
petency or moral cowardiee against
- 'igs,,nerintendent of Schools Keith, ana
. allegations OF falsehood against sehooi
Committeeman Robert +. Budlong' were
features OF the startling letter in wnicn
Edgar s. Johnson. principal OF the high
school rendered his resignation TO the
Eas, Providence school committee al us
meeting last night. Mr.. Johnson has helu
the position OF principal for seven years.
ard his letter. though not totally unex-
pec,ed. was, nevertheless, surprise ior
some.
some efforts were made to dispense with
the reading by Committeeman Chase ana
h. MI Keith. but Committeeman Bud
Ions. who was most strongly referred TO.
said he had no objection 10 the reading
Ineidently Mr. Budlong referred 10 the
letter as an evidence OF an empty brain
on the part OF the writer. TO which state
nent Mr.. Horton took exception.
OR recommendation Of Superintendent
Keith. Harold NJ. Dean OF Palmer Mass,
who was highly recommended. was elect
ed and the salary fixed at $500 year. as
at present
The letter which was sprung on the
meeting follows:
TO PLEASE ANOTHER.
East Providence, June rs, 1895.
Open Letter 10 the School Comm''tee'
Town of East Providence
Dear Sirs-As | have learned from un-
questionable authority that majority OF
your number. in advance OF this meet
ms have decided to elect some other per-
son 10 the position which ] now hold,
will relieve you from the mockery OF
pretended election for that place tonight
by Withdrawing my name.
I feel that II Is necessary for me 10
state that this action, after seven years
Of service. is brought about by the ae-
knowledged duplicity and falsehoods OF
Mr. Budlong, the leader OF the controlling
faction OF your committee.
IN June. 1903 he confessed TO me that
he had presented 10 the school committee
n statement signed by himself alone re-
necting upon my professional reputation.
In his confession he said: Il signed that
statement knowing positively that there
was not word OF truth nor suggestion
OF truth In IL.
II signed my name to IL and I wanted
70 write after my signature This Is n
damned le but | didn't.
II did II TO please Judge Bliss, because
we are together In the same church.
would lie any time 10 avoid having
trouble with anyone"
Upon the strength OF this statement,
made TO the committee. this leader ana
two other committeeman were 10 vote
against my reelection. To prevent ex-
posure OF this nefarious business all
opposition to my reelection was dropped
at that time.
TO FORCE SIGNING.
The opposition TO me. however. was re-
newed in September. because OF my retu-
sal. under threats OF summary dismissal
by superintendent Bliss 10 sign certih-
cate admitting TO Brown University with
out examination a politicians daughter.
who had not finished her course at school.
and who was admittedly unfit for the
privilege.
A written demand ordering me. upon
pain of dismissal to sign such certificate
was then drawn up and signed by the fol-
lowing committeeman: Robert +. Bud
long. George s. Dean and George y. Bliss.
And this in spite of a definite agreement
IN June Oess than three months previ-
ousiy). made BY the aforementioned sign.
er in the name OF the school committee
(and upon their initiative). that no request
should be allowed 10 reach me FOR any
certificate for this young lady-not even
for Normal school.
BY POLITICAL CONDITIONS.
But political conditions caused major
fy OF the committee 10 violate their plain
agreement with me: and that the political
significance Of the demand might not be
underestimated. the Endorsement (secured.
have been credibly Informed since. BY
gross Misrepresentation OF a political
Tx.A A. - As. l..
was part OF this document
When IL was ready for delivery. 7 noti-
Ned the committee that II would. II pre-
sented TO me. be handed 10 President
Faunce, at his request. 10 be given by him
70 the press for publication. together with
an official statement from Brown I'nlver-
sity OF the seriousness OF the committee's
offence. and a public announcement that
the certificate privilege was forthwith
withdrawn from the East Provl-
dence High school: and that this
privilege would not again be grant
ed until the school committee OF the
town had signed an agreement not 10 in
fiuence. directly or indirectly. n PRINCIPAL
in signing or refusing TO sign a certificate
"a matter wholly outside OF the jursdlc-
tlcn OF any school committee.
HOT SHOT FOR KEITH
The demand was not presented 20 me-
again because Of fear of exposure
Threats We're then freely made bv mem.
ters OF the committee that my refusal to
prostitute by own reputation and the
reputation Of the East Providence high
school 10 corrupt politics would cost me
my position.
The committees reply 10 my refusal
has now been made az early as "prac-
ticsl' politics would permit
The attitude % Superintendent Keith
NJ making no recommendation this v,ar
concerning the hiRh school can be ac-
counted for only upon the grounds OF self
acknowledged incompetency. or moral
cowardice. or both
j believe that there IL strong evidence
OF both. lie has never been able 10 crit b
icise intelligently the cork of the high
school Re has admitted 20 me that
two weeks before the graduation of hIs
class from the Bridgewater High school.
Mr.. Frank W. Alexander. then principal
of that school notified him that he could
not graduate because OF deficiencies IN
his studies