The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-01-17
WATSON is MUCH DISPLEASED
WITH STATEMENT FROM
BOARD OF CONTROL.
Declares Members and Governor Have
Expressed Themselves as Pleased
With His Work.

| IL JAMES watson, eX-Superlntend-
ent of the state school for the deaf
and blind at Vancouver is very much
dlspleased with the statement issued
| by the board of control explaining the
| changes recently made at the school
| In the statement the board said that
the changes had been contemplated for
several months and were without per-
sonal or political feeling 1t was stated
that the action was taken for the best
interests Of the school and to bring it
to an up-to-date position, is the story
that comes from Portland
He feels that he has been made the
object of movement that was
brought on entirely by political inf1u-
ence. Mr.. Watson feels that the
Washington school is strictly up to
date, and his statements are borne out
by the records of the institution.
"The members of the board have al
ways expressed themselves as we'll
PASoSCA VIII lIlG WOi n uOIc llCi z. lAloO
Gov. Mead expressed himself in the
same way during his visits here, say
ing he mad no idea that so much
could be done for these children, or
that they could be carried so far in
their studies He was so we'll pleased
with the exercises given in the chapel
by the pupils that ne proposed to Mrs.
Watson to take them to Tacoma to
give performances there.
by numerous letters, received both
before and after the change, the par
ents have said they were greatly graft
fled by the work of the children and the
care bestowed upon them"
Mr. Watson further stated that the
board of control is not reducing the
number of employees, as Mrs. Watson
has not been on the payroll for some
months past, and has held no position
in the school, but continued to render
her valuable services in assisting in
the direction of affairs, and also spent
considerable time in teaching pri-
mary class Mr. Watson feels that the
manner and time of change shows con-
clusively that the board was influenced
by political motives.
ITO remove a man within a few
months of the end Of the term, after
l.. ;rht of CprVic0
is unjust and un-American," he con-
tends.
What does the board or even the |
governor, know about the condition of
the deaf? 1t is very, yes, extremely,
doubtful, if they ever saw similar in
stitution. It is known that Mr.. Kin
caid. when a youth, did, to some ex-
tent. fraternize with the deaf, but as
for Mr. Davis, it is not likely that he
ever gave more than a passing thought,
or even that, to the benighted condi-
ton of the deaf and blind; as to H. T.
Jones, well. he was too busy cultlvat-
ing his ranch on the sunny shores OF
Deep Creek to take an interest in the
philanthropic affairs of the state
In regard to Prof. Watson's not act
ing as steward and accountant for
some years, Mr.. Watson feels that in
asmuch as the political faction now In
mower mas taken such measures to re-
move all the old employees and install
either some particular friend or some
relative. there can be no question as to
the incentive in his removal, but that !
political friendship or something OF
that sort was at the bottom of the
whole thing. Even the movement or
the board in appointing Mr.. Marshall
and then backing down On the propo-
sition shows that it was unbalanced
on the project from the start, and that
it's motive was entirely political.