The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1907-05-03

some of the larger girls made known
the fact that he had Rugged them at
various times, but they had said moth
ing about 1t as they wanted to pass at
the end of the term and knew they
would not do so if they complained of
the Superintendent. He also mention
ed other dIscreditable rumors that
were in circulation.
After stating all Of these things to
the School Board he-the Mayor-had
asked them to drop Mr.. Chapman from
the school, saying that this city could
not afford to have a man with that sort
OF a reputation at the head of the
school; that the public demanded and
rlghtfully so-that the character of
teachers, both male and female, should
be above suspicion and that justice to
the patrons Of the school demanded
that only that sort should be employed.
Mr.. Dow admitted that all that the
Mayor had said about the letter from
Louisa and the investigation made by
the three members of the Board was
true. Mr.. Arnsparger in defense of
Mr.. Chapman and of the action of the
School Board in retaining him after
knowledge that these charges had been
made against him. said that he had
been assured by the members of the
School Board and by several other per
sons at jacksonville, that MIR. Chap
man was a good man, and that the
charges against him were groundIess,
and that being satisfied that such was
the case, he had come home and so re-
ported to the three members Of the
Board, and that they had argeed to
keep the matter a secret.
MIR. Arnsparger stated that he was
satisfied from what he had learned that
County Attorney Ruby Laffoon and
Judge Yost, two of the most prominent
men there, were responsible for the
troubles that Mr.. Chapman had in
Madisonviile. He said that these two
lawyers were behind the prosecution
OF Mr.. Chapman for the severe whip
ping of a boy and intended to sue him
for damages if they could have him
convicted on the criminal charge, but
that when the grand jury failed to in
dict, they got mad, had these reports
started and charges flied, and did all in
their power to annoy HIM.
The Mayor said that that was a curl
GUS charge to bring against members
OF is own profession, in good standing,
and Mr.. Arnsparger replied that his
statements were rue.
The School Board took the ground
that as the guilt of Mr.. Chapman had
not been cOnclusively shown to them,
1t was their duty to retain him, no
matter what rumOrs were in circGla-
ton, or what his reputation was in
other places. For that reason, the
Mayor had appealed to the Council for
1t TO take such action as it might deem
proper
The statement of the Mayor conclud-
ed as follows:
1T is not denied-ln fact, it is adj
mitted-by MI. Chapman. Mr.. Arnspar-
ger and Mr.. Dow, that the signed let
ter accusing Mr.. Chapman Of immoral
conduct IN Louisa was received here,
and that the rumOrs and charges in re-
gard to his conduct in jacksonville
were made and in circulation there;
and further, that when these written
charges were made, he resigned his
position some months before the school
term closed. Mr.. Arnsparger says he
saw the written statements referred to
by Mr.. Laffoon. He says, however,
that he was told by Judge Yost that
they were not sworn TO and seeks to
discredit them upon that ground.
take it that this is of no Importance,
even if true, for all that was necessary
was to prove the truth of the charges
when the matter was heard. Never
the less, he says they were in existence
and were shown to him. This being
the case it is, as | said to the School
Board, of no practical Importance to
the people Of Paris whether M. Chap
man is guilty or innocent of the
charges. They are no obligation to de-
fend him. or TO furnish him a position
in which to rehabilitate his shattered
reputation. Their first duty is to them
selves. 1t is of the utmost Importance
that the reputation Of those entrusted |
with the formation of the character
and the education of the children
should be above reproach. In matters
the Public Schools, parents |
can afford to take no chances they
cannot be expected to critically weigh |
in the balance and determine the truth /
Or faIsity of such charges. An ounce
Of preventive is worth pound of !
cure, and it is, in my judgment, much /
better to take decisive action at once, /
rather than postpone it, possibly to our |
Infinite and unending regret.
For these reasons, Mr.. Chapman's !
with the school should, in /
my opinion. end Immediately, and ask i
you a body charged with the welfare |
and good government of this conmu-
nifty, to take such steps as NAV he nee
eSsary to secure this result. 1t is with |
regret that | make these mat
5ers public, but ia refusal of the
School Board to taNe action, leaves me
90 other course to pursue"
The Mayor stated that the state |
nent he had just read had been prepar- !
ed to submit to the Council at its regu- |
ar meeting last Thursday night, but |
here being so much business to attend !
70 at that meeting he had postponed it
until this time. He then read a short !
additional statement prepared that
lay.
He said that Immediately after his
meeting with the School Board, he had
written Mr.. LaffcUn letter telling
MIN Of the statements made by Mr.. |
Arnsparger concerning himself and