Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-10
Student Charged With Breach
of Good Manners.
HIS EXPULSION ASKED
SUSPENSION THE PUNISHMENT,
BUT PRINCIPAL NOT PLEASED.
She Says Boy Has Been Insubordinate
on Many Occasions-Action
- of Mr.. Stuart.


recently passed upon case of student In
subordina ton which exhibits unusuai
phases OF interest, and for time threat
ened to result n an ugly tangle for all con-
cerned. Even after the matter has been
settled, at least temporarily. it Is very prob
able that as the facts become more gen.
orally known there will be wide differences
of opinion in regard to the question ana
some severe criticism. AS matter of fact.
these features now exist to some extent,
and the furry that was aroused by the
case has by no means subsidized.
The trouble in a nutshell, is that Regi-
maid Hodgson, a pupil In the secOnd-year
clas5 of the Western High School, George
town, while attending a recitation in Eng
fish February % last, asked permission to
illustrate the use of the word "debase,' and
straightway wrote on the blackboard, IN
full view of the members of the class and
the teacher, the following sentence:
Roosevelt 'debased' himself by eating
with a niger"
Hodgsons record in the school during the
three years of his attendance, it is said,
had not been good, and Principal Edith C..
Wescott regarded this action, which she
termed one of fragrant disrespect," as the
elimination of a long series of insubordi-
natlOn ana vulgar DraVaQO, ana Oh tHiS
account recommended that the matter be
reported to the board of education and that
Director Hughes present before that body
her recommendation for the young mans
expulsion from the local high schools.
After consulting with Superintendent
Stuart Mr.. Hughes directed Miss Wescott to
reinstate young Hodgson upon his reappear-
ance before her, the student having been
temporarily suspended pending the action
of the higher authorities. Mr. Hughes. how
ever, ordered that the boy be stopped from
participating In the parade on the occasion
of President Roosevelt's Inauguration, which
he would otherwise have had right to do
as a member of the Western High School
cadet company.
Considered the Matter.
Miss Wescott believing that she had good
grounds for recommending the suspension,
decided to give few days to consideration
of the matter. and when Hodgson presented
himself before her about the middle of last
week she told him to see her Monday morn
ing last.
Subsequently. however, Mr.. Hughes d.
rected that she interview the young man
Immediately and reinstate him for as long
as he behaved himself. The grounds for
this action on the part of the director of
high schools were that in his opinion and
that of Mr. Stewart the boy should not be
expelled on this particular count because OF
the probable effect it would have on public
did not think the act of the student was
premedita ted.
Miss Wescott then took the boy back into
the school Thursday, a week from yester-
day, late In the afternoon. The following
Saturday he was not permitted to march
with the other cadets in the parade accord
ing to Mr.. Hughes instructions.
1t is understood that Miss Wescott feels
that sufficient consideration has not been
given her in deciding upon the case. She
is said to have recommended the expulsion
not because of the nature of the last Of
tense, which contained the sentence refer
ring to the President, but on account of the
f1agrancy of the act, in view of the fact
that Hodgson, at the time he committed it.
had just returned from suspension of
three weeks duration for the offense Of
smoking at time when it was against the
rules of the school board.
Native of Virginia.
Young Hodgson is a native of Virginia,
and of strong southern sentiments, it is I'M
derstood, and his recaat action in writing
the sentence on the school blackboard,
while in most places regarded as out of
place, is looked upon by many people OF
Georgetown as totally insufficient to war
rant suspension. -
The following is the text of the letter
from Miss Wescott to Mr.. Hughes, dated
February %, in which the case is stated:
Ou are with Inc CoSc VI SuS-
pension of Reginald Hodgson, who was re-
instated by you, date of February 16,
his continuance as a pupil to depend on
his attitude toward the work and disci-
pine of the school,
you will remember that Mr.. Hodgson was
twice suspended last year. and that his
habitual attitude Gas illustrated by his
structions, while an observer Of the regi-
mental drill, during his suspension for that
very offense)-his habitual attitude, l re-
peat, is that of bravado.
II am, therefore, confirmed in my belief
that the last act of fragrant disrespect, for
which / am forced to again call this student
to your attention, was no hasty and
thoughtless action, but done with deliberate
intent to what would happen.
I'm English recitation this morning Miss
Gushing called on students to write SEN
fences Illustrating correct usage OF words
often misused. Mr.. Hodgson raised his
hand asking specifically the permission to
illustrate the use of the word 'debase.' His
sentence was written on the blackboard, in
full view of the class and with the intent
that it be used for class discussion (Iere
the sentence is given.)
From my knowledge of the boy and Of
his attitude of disrespect of authority and
institutions, and from my conviction that
such an exhibition Of vulgar bravado is
schools, / have today suspended Mr.. Hodg-
son from the Western High School.
further recommend that you report this
matter to the board of education, and that
you state before that body my recommen-
dation for the expulsion of this student
from high schools of Washington"
Mr.. Hughes Reply.
Writing under the date of February 81
Mr.. Hughes replied to Miss Wescott as
follows:
Il have gone over Reginald Hodgsons
case again and again since you reported 1t
to me.
Il do not think the matter calls for dis
missal from school, although l recognize
the fact of the accumulation of offenses. as
well as the vulgar and impertinent action
of the boy on Tuesday last.
IF the boy applies to you for reinstate-
ment kindly send him to me-"
Mr.. Hughes sfterward sent Hodgson to
Miss Wescott with a note asking that she
reinstate linn at once. At the same time,
February %, he transmitted the papers in
the case 10 Superintendent Stuart, stating
that he had just talked with the bow and
did not think the matter premeditated on
his part.
In speaking of the case to a Star reporter
this afternoon Mr. Stuart said:
1T is evident that the suspension Of
Hodgson was the elimination OF a series
of violations of school discipline on his
part. although the exhibition of bad taste