The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-07-22
A TEMPEST
IN A TEAPOT
Cause Of a Teachers
Dismissal Now
Explained.


ton yesterday afternoon, but it was
a case in which the feminine men1-
| bers thereof were involved in a ques-
ton of dismissal of one of the expert
teachers of the department. Mrs.
| Brunson, the expert lace teacher I'M
ported two years ago from the coast,
a woman whose skill in the making
| of lace is known widely among those
in the profession of teaching along the
| coast, was recently summarily dis
missed from her position on the recon-
mendation of the lace committee, OF
which Mrs. Wilcox and Mrs. Jordan
are members. The summary dismissal
came in the form of a non-reappolnt-
ment to the office she has held, for the
ensuing term, the committee recon-
mending the employment OF two young
Hawaiian girls to carry on the work
of instruction.
| Mrs. 'Brunson received formal notice
from the Superintendent of Public In
| struction that she had not been reap
pointed Mr. Davis merely mention
ed that it was the intention of the
Board to employ two Hawaiians. That
was all.
| Mrs. Brunson, stylishly attired, ap-
| peared in person before the Board,
which had been made an open one to
the press as well, at the request of
one of the members of the Board. Mr..
Davis asked Mrs. Brunson. if she had
anything to say.
| Gentlemen, when you strike at my
profession, you strike at my living"
said Mrs. Brunson quietly. 81 have
heard there were or are objections to
my work, but 1 do not know what they
are. If you will let me know the OBJ
jections I will try and meet Them
| "Well, you can go right ahead and
say what you want and then you can
take your DEPARTURE" answered the
| Superintendent.
1'But I would like to know the OBJ
JectIoHS Aiot, Sdid hi III uHSOH'
| ''Oh, you want copy of the OBJ
jections?"
Gin writing7"
eyes, in writing. I don't think it
would. be wise to attempt to answer
for the whole committee Qace) as on
ly one member of that committee is
l NJ limo
toward Mrs Wilcox. "You can now
have an opportunity to say what you
| WISH
''But, Mr.. DAVIS, 1 want to know
what the charges are against my
work9' persisted Mrs. Brunson.
"You have letter from me in which
1 said your appointment was annull-
ed.o
81 would like to know, myself, what
those charges are said Mr.. Al.
i "You came here under contract, Mrs.
Brunson-" began the Superintendent.
ooh, no! A letter was written to
a friend of mine that the legislature
here had appropriated $1,000 year for
salary of lace-teacher, and it was
suggested that L be asked whether l
would consider an offer to come out.
/ was told then that [ would only
have to teach in the morning. An
expert was needed, and it was suggest
ed in the letter that Mrs. Brunson
was thought to be the best qualified.
| l have heard that members of the COM
4 NIT iS-
factory
Mr.. Davis said that could only be
answered by the lace committee Mr..
harrington suggested it would be well
to let Mrs. Brunson know what the
charges were, if any, so that she could
make an explanation.
She stated that there was but one
member of the committee had inspect
ed her work. The other member, who
was not present, but had acduiesced in
dismissing her, had never been around
at the schools to inspect her work, and
knew nothing of it. She come to Homo
lulu as an expert lace-teacher and she
felt that when serious charges were
made that her wo-k should be Judged
by persons qualified and competent to
do so. She said she was perfectly
III Willing TO SUBMIT neF WORK people
who are competent and she felt that
there could be only praise for the
same.
"If you will refer your questions tc
the committee you will get YOU
answer said Mr.. Davis.
"But the Board should know what
the charges are and the Board should
be competent to let me know. at least
in what way my work has proven I'm
satisfactory.
''From what source has the ides
come that it is unsatisfactory in
8 CURED Mr.. harrington
"From Mrs. Wilcox. She is the on
ly one who has visited my classes
Mrs. Wilcox is present and 1 think i
s is an injustice to myself if Mrs. Wilco.
s will not let me know what these oh
jections or charges are
III Mrs. Wilcox after some long think
3 ing finally broke her silence by say
3 ing tersely:
81 II told you what they We're. Be
q fore | said anvfhiDo tho Roar6