The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1905-03-17
INVESTIGATION
BECOMES SECRET



addition to the question of excluding
the press. the proposition of excluding
Attorney Dunno. who represents those
under investigation. was brought up.
There were "a few minutes Of lively dis
cussion outside the hall and then the
committee entered and Chairman Rice
announced that the press and public.
the members of the Board Of Education
and Miss Rose Dawson would an have
to leave. Dr. Alexander. Mrs. Jordan
and Mrs. Hail rose from their seats
and left the HAN, taking seats I'm am
other part of the building All were
much surprised, and indignant as well, |
at the action of the committee. Dr.. ,
Alexander, whom no one acquainted .
with his long career I'm Hawaii would
accuse Of ill-considered or Incorporate |
expressions, characterized the action .
of the committee as a perfect out |
rage"
ANY person ought to be allowed to
hear the proceedings" said DR.. Alex
ander. ANY friend Of the schools
should be free to enter and listen,v
Dr. Alexander also remarked that it
appeared to be a Star chamber sort Of
| proceeding.
Superintendent Atkinson was also i'm
| favor Of a public meeting and stated
before the committee met that he had
expected the meeting to be public, as
yesterday. Dunno also emphatically
declared that the proceedings should
be in public.
When asked as to the reason for sec
ret sessions Chairman Rice stated that
| secrecy was thought proper owing to
the need of calling a number of wit
nesses successfully, who ought not to
know, through the press, what Witness
es preceding them had testified to.
The Charges" as prepared by the
committee for investigation, were sub
mitted at the session. They were sub
mitted by two Of the committee only,
Lilikalani refusing to concur in them.
The following is a copy, as presented
by the other two-Senators Hayselden
and Hewitt:
Your Special Committee to which
was referred the matter of classifying
and segregating the different matters
contained in the report Of the Grand
. Jury, concerning the Department OF
Education, and to extract therefrom the
| ]
- forming thereto as possible, beg leave
to report that we have carefully digest
ed the several matters therein contain
- ed and touched upon, and we find that
- the Grand Jury has made certain direct
s charges in some instances and in others
. have implied charges by making rec
concentrations to remedy the alleged
To- improper condition of affairs We there.
z fore classify them under two heads
- charges and recommendations:
O Charges. 1. The Superintendent o
k Public instruction has long maintained
a personal Indifference as to the prope
s or improper performance, by teachers
10 of their duties, and takes little if an!
e of their personal interest in their re
sponsibiities and advancement. Hi
Il personal presence is an unknown fac
e tor in the schools.
"2. The course of study has not beer
e properly provided for the schools. TIL,
n one now in vogue has not been revised
j. for many years past. There are n,
e printed rules or regulations to contro
d the 400 teachers under the department
49, Teachers have been discharged
l. from the Department without cause.
e "a. The Agricultural department il
e the school is useless.
y 80. Commissioners of Education hav
It rarely, if ever, for many years visite
any of the schools, or made any per
n sonal inquiries as to the conditions pre-
N vailing in the schools or among Tn
g teachers The public schools being al
most entirely under the control c
" school agents.
D. IS. No provision has been made fo
y, lavatories and facilities for the pre-
u curement of drinking water in tn
Mt schools. No care exercised i'm this re
n gard even in new buildings. The ne
Royal School has water facilities fC
to neither drinking nor fire purposes.
&c ~. Architectural extravaganza Ia
or been INDUCED in i'm building the Roy,
nd School.
80. No care has been exercised
I'll placing school buildings. The Norm
School is built in most peculiar pos
ton relative to the rest of the lot al
the adjoining premises.
49, The existing sanitary condition
at Kaakopua school are bad, and Il
- school building is absolutely unfit f
school purposes"
The decision to hold the investigate
- I'm secret was contrary to requests fro
both the Superintendent and the Boar
rs Last Saturday the following letter w
-, sent by Superintendent Atkinson to Il
Committees:
II learn from the public newspape
that certain complaints and charg
TO- against the conduct of this departing
no made by recent grand jury have be-
,e, referred to investigation to your Cor
mittee and a similar committee of t,
Id House of Representatives, acting join
,ca ly.
W. LAS this Is a matter vitality affectil
Is my personal and official reputatiO
rvs and as ] have nothing to conceal b
If desire rather the fullest investigate
m / think / have a right to ask that {
les sittings Of the Committee be publ
av that / be notified Of all intended NEE
IN ings that ! have the opportunity
, confront and CrOgg-pXaminp Witnpgge