The Washington times., 1907-02-27
SCHOOL BOARD ROW
IN CARDOZO CASE.
TRIAL POSTPONED
Teachers Lawyer Charg-
ed With Scheming to
Block Hearing.
Chancellor Absent, Away
When Summoned as
Witness.

After two feverish hours, during which
Clashes between counsel and members
were frequent and caustic criticism of
Attorney Henry f. Davis was almost
continuous, the Board OF Education yes
terday postponed the trial of Francis L
Cardo2o. the deposcd principal. until
next Monday afternoon. The delay
was won by Attorney Cobb. colOred. Of
counsel for CardOzo-after a telephone
lalk with Attorney DAWSON the tech
Dlcal ground that Superintendent Chan
CellOr, who had been summoned as a
witness for the defense was absent
rms objection was Ia the nature of an
afterthOught with Mr.. Cobb. for pre-
Niously he had urged postponement on
the ground that, Dr. Atwood being alb
sent. the board was incomplete. and 1t
was unfair to Cardozo to proceed with
the trial. He Threatened 10 leave the
room with Cardozo, and even took up
MS nat, but his objection was over
ruled, and he was denied permission TO
take Cardozo away.
Started With a Bang.
The meeting opened with a crash.
Admiral Baird. president Of the board.
read a statement he had prepared. in
which he showed plainly that he was
tired of the delays in the trial and
quickly as possible. Almost as soon as
he uttered the last sentence OF his state
ment. Attorney Cobb was on his feet
He said that he did not want to 10
on with the trial; that he objected on
the ground that the board was incOm-
plete. owing 10 the illness Of Dr. At
wood. He justified his objection by
citing as a precedent the fact that the
BOARD on previous occasions when Dr.
ATWOOD and Mrs. Mary Church Terrell.
members OF the board had been absent
the board had postponed consideration
or the case He also cited the fact that
The District Commissioners, before Con-
Bress passed special law, We're unable
10 decide any matter OF Importance un-
less all Commissioners were present
The board could not see the Objec-
tons. however. and quickly overruled
them, deciding TO proceed with the trial
Cobb tried hard TO change them, but
they were firm.
Stuart Mcnamara. attorney for the
board. came in and ne was told Of the
objections He could not see them either
and was for starting the trial.
Cobb looked around the room and
said:
Cobb Plays a Trump.
"why. one of our principal witnesses
is not here"
A chorus asked "Who is it?''
"Dr. Chancellor"
President Baird said he had not been
summoned. Cobb declared thar the
superintendent had been subpoeuaed by
the defense. 1t was shown later that
The head Of the schools had been added
10 the list of witnesses on Monday
waited TIL they knew he was out of
town. said several members at once
Cobb disclaimed any such method Then
followed charges OF bad faith and
scheming 10 block the trial on The part
OF the defense. Captain oyster growing
angry
Attorney Mcnamara. rising. said: Il
sympathise with Captain Oyster
so do l. said Admiral Baird and
Mrs. Terrell
You're very weak-kneed about it,"
said captain Oyster.
I do not know whether Captain
Oyster means me or the board" said
Mr.. Mcnamara. but il he intends il
for me. I'll tell him it's none OF mis-
business"
I've been tcld that before" muttered
the captain.
Il want TO say" continued Mr.. Nc
Namara. that I do not think the at
tOrneys for the defense nave shown the
proper amount Of courtesy toward the
board. but / would not charge bad faith.
II they want Dr. Chancellor. let them
have him. He proved a most damaging
witness against the defendant. but they
may have some important reason for
wanting him"
Attorney Cobb was quick to resent the
charge of disCoUrtesy or bad faith but
Air. Mcnamara aDsolved him, and so the
onus dropped upon the shoulders OF the
absent Mr.. Davis.
When the question Of adjournment
came 10 vote. the board was dead
locked. Admiral Baird. with Messrs.
Cox and Cook and Mrs. Musscy. voting
in favor Of the motion. while Captain
Oyster. Mrs. Hill. Mrs Terrell and Mr..
Everman voted against IT, This was
broken when Mr.. Mcnamara. almost
forced To swear 10 the matter. promised
the members that the trial would be
started next Monday.
The board room was crowded with wit
nesses whom CardozO had summoned.
and the board wanted TO hear some Of
them, but the defense was keen for
adjournment and declared that DR.
Chancellor was the key TO their posi-
tlon. and so the other witnesses were
law