Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-27
CITIZENS IN REVOLT
Bethesda District Aroused Over
School Controversy.
COMMISSIONERS DENOUNCED
Maryland Suburb Stirred by Removal
of Local Trustees.
HOME RULE IS ADVOCATED
Speakers Denounce Ring" Methods
and Declare for Elective Offices.
Resolutions for Governor.
COMMISSIONERS DENOUNCED
HOME RULE IS ADVOCATED

Demonstrations of the school commission
ers OF Montgomery county Md. charges
az corruption the part OF officials and
erraigEmeut of the so-caled Rockville
IIng were the features OF n mass meeting
last night Of the citizens of the Bethesda
district at St. Johns Parish Hall. near
Bethesda.
President George Lamar Of the school
commission. his associates and Superin-
t9Gdeut u Schools Woods were the targets
FOR yOliey of epthets which were far
from complimentary and in which the word
referred to by President Roosevelt several
months ago as shorter and ugler" was
frequently heard. The storm of indgna-
ton the elimination OF controversy
over the eligibility of Miss Ida Dove to
preside as principal over the Bethesda
school her removal and the subsequent
dismissal OF the Bethesda school trustees,
who sided with the teacher.
The schoolhouse the usual public meeting
place was not available last night because,
u Is asserted. Superintendent OF Schools
Woods refused to permit 1t to be used for
r. meeting called for the purpose of crit-
os!ng the school authorities Consequently
about 100 residents OF the district assembled
AT o'clock in the parish hall. A score of
women were present and heartily applauded
the speakers. Miss Dove and members OF
her family occupied seats in the rear Of
the hall.
What Caused the Trouble.
The meeting called 20 order by Mr..
q .. Caldwell. president of the Bethesda
Citizens Association. Mr.. Samuel w.
Briggs was chosen permanent chairman
and Mr.. Richard c. Drum Hunt secretary.
Mr. A c. Reubsam one OF the deposed
trustees. was the first speaker. He re-
viewed the trouble which eliminated in the
removal OF Miss Dove from the Bethesda
school and the dismissal of the local trus-
tees
According to Mr.. Reubsam Miss Dove
removed because the school commits
s,oners claimed that she was acting as
principal OF flrst-class school while hold
ing q seCond-class certificate, which does
not conform to the school laws. The fact
that this certificate had been extended by
the commissioners did not deter them from
removing the teacher. Mr.. Reubsam told
OF his appearance before the commissioners
at Rockville. OF their alleged efforts to get
him to name a successor to Miss Dove in
the absence OF his fellowt trustees, of his
refusal 10 do SO until he had consulted
them. and Of a subsequent meeting held
behind closed doors. at which he was pres
ent with Trustee Lewis and Miss Dove.
At this meeting Mr.. Ruebsam. whose
statements were later in the evening cor
roboTated by DR.. Lewis. asserted that the
charges of incompeteRcy against Miss Dove
were thoroughly gone over The speaker
declared that some Of the charges were
without foundation III fact and We're adj
cr5 When Miss Doves certificate was
produced in order to show that 1t was of
the.iirst class. second grade. its genuine
ness Vas questioned. but was established
when MIR. John Higgin called in to
testify that II had been regularly issued
BY him, Mr.. Ruebsam told OF several al
l"g"d Inaccuracies in the statements Of the
commissioners regarding Miss Doves case.
The officials claimed. lie said that the ex-
tension OF the certificate was error
Breaking of the Storm
Mr.. Ruebsam's remarks were made in a
w-H-inodulated voice and resembled the
calm that precedes a July thunder storm.
As he concluded Mr.. II. l.. Heiskell secured
the rpnr and at once began scathing de-
rInCiat!on Of the school commissioners and
what ~ called the Rockville ring" He
de Jared il was time To serve notice on the
Rockville crowd that the people of Be-
t@esda district were tired of interference
with their affairs and proposed to have
home rule. He had always been a demo-
Crat declared Mr. IleIskeIl but he was
ready ard willing to vote for any ticket
which carried the names of men who stood
Tor a square deal.
The speaker applied various uncompli-
mentary names to President George Lamar
OF the school commission and Supt.
Woods and accused them of corruption.
Mr.. IL Nj. Martin followed in a speech
denouncine the so-Calied ring" and urg-
ing the men present to put aside party
pTejudices and support candidates for Of
nee Who would favor am elective system in
Killing az offices in the county from county
commissioners to road supervisors Mr.
Martin closed by limiting at graft in official
quarters and charging corruption in the
sChop. commission.
Pointers for Pennsylvania.
Nj : u. Caldwell announced that he
C,Iae "a Maryland from Pennsylvania. a
STATE where graft n0urished. but he said if
to Pennsylvania grafters could visit Mont
S',nery county they would find a better
system than their own Revision of the
=" 90 laws, sacrifice Of party preference
4)T iar good OF the district, fewer ap-
J.. .7t.E" offices in the county and the town
slip system were urged by Mr.. Caldwell
Y I-' r"uIarks Were greeted by applause.
JILL" 1"rt!ments of the previous speakers
VIZ ,ndorsed by Mcssrs. Alfred Wilson.
I"I Cuttings and others. Miss Dove
t..t"Hed the meeting for its confidence In
Der and Or Lewis gave an account OF mis-
appearance before the school commissions
"rs. and asserted that Supt Woods had
stated iG connection with the school CON
t'prei~' that any other teacher but Miss
Wood would have been permitted to remain
o. Charge Of the Bethesda school.
Resolutions Adopted.
"-. following rcsos cons were then intro
..I and unanimously adopted:
W..~rygs the board OF school commission
e-s o. Montgomery county. Md. has taken
4, Lo,o itself to summary dismiss the
{
Eaowu a Bethesda school. without just
cause.
And w'rreas by such action this district
las nr deprived of the local supervision
T. which il is legally entitled
Ana whereas it has ignored the desires OF
tG@ patrons Of said school by removing an
efficient and satisfactory teacher, under
whose intelligent admins tratiou a single
school ot a few pupils has grown to a
graded >.uool with a large attendance and
OF -Nr.u-rt standing.
Therefore. be 1t resolved That We the citi-
ZeHs "s the Bethesda district. in mass meet
i-S assembled this 18th day OF September
cO.iru" and protest against the action of
said board,
Is. it fGrtIer resolved. That the time has
come Tor radical change in the present
System OF school government in this state
which makes II poss h!e for a board of
county school commissioners to arrogate
10 themselves the rights and duties of a
local board OF trustees, thereby depriying
Il district OF that representation to which
IL 3 entitled under the law.
Resolved. That the appoiutve system of
nff riaIS u-itf