The Washington times., 1906-05-16
STUART DEFENDS
GARDNER REPORT
Makes Excited Address Be
fore Board of Education.
IS MODIFIED SOMEWHAT
Otherwise Superintendent Refuses to
Make Any Change Regarding His
Recent Decision in Case.

The Board Of Education last night for
a time ignored its general rule govern
ing its actions on similar Occa siOns and
permitted a score or more OF Mr. Gard
Der's friends to plead for his retention
at the head OF the Mckinley Manual
Training School Three members Of the
school board. led by Z. Southard Park
er. defended Mr.. Gardner and criticised
A. G.. Stuart for recommending the
teachers reduction. without having first
read all of the evidence in defense of
the teacher. Finally after a session
lasting until midnight, the board refer
red the case back to Mr.. Stuart IN order
that he may go over certain statements
made by and IN behalf of Mr.. Gardner.
The motion to recommit was made by
DR. Needham. Before 1t could be acted
upon Superintendent Stuart obtained
the floor and in a positive manner de-
Tended his course. He said that he had
made a report and so far as he was
concerned IL was final; the board could
change IL IL II wished. but he would
not. Mr.. Gordon and Mrs. West sup
ported the superintendent and said they
were ready to accept Mr.. Stuart's re-
port.
DR.. Kingsman and DR.. NeedhaYn said
that while they wanted the executive
officer of the board TO have their un-
biased support. they thought that his
recommendation went a trife too far
At the suggestion OF DR.. Needham Mr.
Stuart accepted a modification in his re-
port making = read. The charges of
immortality were not substantiated."
Originally this portion Of the report
read. In my opinion, the charges were
unfOUnded-" After making these mOdin-
cations Mr.. Stuart declined to change
the report further. He az one time be
came somewhat excited and throwing
q transcript Of the report he held in his
hand or the table said
VIII Make No Change.
There Is my report. Change it II
you Will. shall not. I don't care what
You addressing the board) think OF the
report. It's final for me"
At this juncture Mr.. Gordon addressed
the board and said that he had read, as
he supposed every other member OF the
board had. the complete testimony in
the case. and he was ready to act then
and there. He plainly indicated that he
would vote 70 support the superinten-
dent. He said he did not propose TO let
the brlInt Of this case fan upon the
shoulders Of executive officers OF the
schools.
Mr. Gordon told those present that he
was not going 70 say things they would
Ike 10 hear, and he did It. Mr.
Parker. who had been leading the Gard
ner side Of the case showed signs OF
disappointment. He made an impassion-
ed speech declaring that II the findings
OF Mr. Stuart We're TO be final there was
not much use TO have a board meeting
on the case.
He criticised 10 some extent Mr..
Stuarts action in reporting on the case
without first having read the entire tes-
timOny of the defense. Dr. KiIfgsnlan
said he thought there may have been
some haste on the part Of Mr.. Stuart In
GlSposing OF the case. He would vote TO
accept the report. but would like 10 have
u modified. Mr.. Needham spoke in a
similar way. Mrs. West and Mrs. Fran
els said that they knew Mr. Stuart
used good Judgment in the matter. and
they were ready 10 act by vote Dr.
Needham'S motion to have Mr. Stuart
reconsider the case prevailed however.
ana upon vote 10 reCOmmit Mrs. West
was the only one voting in the negative
Mr. Gardner's friends circulated in the
crowd and prevailed upon those present /
TO say a few words for Mr. Gardner"
a number Of them were heard
Mr.. Stuart VIII report again on the
case at the next board meeting 1t is
expected that his conclusions will be |
similar To those already made.