The Washington herald., 1908-01-06

schools by the board Of education Satur
day night, after lengthy trial. on the
charges Of insubordination and incom-
potency, said last nigat the case was not
finished.
He declared the trial was mockery
and a parallel case could not be found in
judicial annals. Nothing had ever equal
ed it, he said. since the trial Of Christ be-
fore PLATE.
Mrs. Chancellor said Dr. Chancellor's
condition was such he was not able to
talk above a whisper. but he had tndi-
Gated he thought the trial was devoid
of all the elements Of fairness. She also
said he was surprised at some of the
evidence introduced.
DenOunces the Procedure.
Mr.. Fulton, when asked about the trial.
last night said:
When a trial is contemplated under
our law it means the accused shall have
a fair opportunity 10 be heard in his own
behalf before an impartial and unpreju-
diced court. If he is deprived of an op-
p0rtunity to be heard or is required to
defend himself before a court which is
already preiudiced. such action is con-
trary to. judicial procedure.
In the case of the so-called trial of
Dr. Chancellor before the board of edu-
cation. in my judgment, there has not
since the days OF Pontius PLATE, been a
greater farce Of anything smacking of
judicial proceedings.
"The verdict in this case is just what
everybody thought it would be from the
day the trial opened, November 23 be-
cause it was made manifest from the
opening of the hearing that the board
had its mind thoroughly made up. and
was going through a mock trial. because
1t had been advised by its attorney il
could not dismiss him without trial
The farce did not proceed far until it
also became manifest that the hoard had
uo intention of deciding the case upon
any testimony offered; that it was inn
patiently sitting. day by day, going
through q mere sham Of putting in evil
dence, because it felt It was compelled
TO make "a show in order that it might be
able 10 carry out its predetermined pur-
pose and verdict
Board Made "A Mistake.
-'The president OF the board publicly
declared, even before the trial started.
according TO newspaper reports, that the
board made mistake in eecting the
superintendent, and during the trial not
only emphasized sIch utterances but he
declared even while presiding at the trial
table that If the other members OF the
board should not agree to a verdict Of
guilty, he would Immediately leave the
board.
This declaration was made when the
other members Of the board were pres
ent, and came in the nature of a declara-
tion from the foreman OF the jury. None
of the other members dissented from the
declaration, and by not doing So each
and al! put themselves in the position
OF approving il.
IF. in any court Of justice. the fore
man of a jury should give expression 10
any such prejudiced feelings or views
there is no Judge in Christendom who
would permit the jury to continue in
their duty any longer than it took to
issue an order 10 discharge them.
Il do not suppose there can be found
Ceedings like OF parallel case.
Il can imagine no better commentary
on the un6tness Of our board of educa-
tion than these proceedings. and this is
much accentuated by the fact thar the
hoard proceeded 20 carry on the mock
trial when the accused was too in to
leave his bed. They deliberately refused
10 continue the case sufficiently long 10
give DIT. Chancellor a chance 10 be heard
in his defense.
Treatment Of the Accused.
That such reconsideration for fair
treatment or fair opportunity for the ac-
cused under the conditions, should exist
in any enlightened Christian community.
and particularly IN board OF education
in this community, seems impossible.
Il cannot believe that anyone who be-
lieves in seeing every man have fair
deal and a fair opportunity. viii indorse
such treatment as has been measured out
70 DR.. Chancellor
Il take it even his most hostile critics
except among the members of the board
Of education, would say however guilty
he might be of any charges preferred.
he was entitled to be heard in his own
defense, and at a fair hearing.
The board OF education cannot shield
itself against this unfair treatment of
Dr. Chancellor on the grounds il ad-
iourned the case two weeks or more to
give him an opportunity 20 be heard. es-
pecially when he was sick and confined
in bed and unable to appear That such
was the condition of DR.. Chancellor was
repeatedly certified to by two of the
most reputable physicians in the city.
Dr. T. /. Mcdonald and DR.. c. l. Bliss.
who were his attending physicians, and
who certified yesterday. after a thorough
examination. that d.. Chancellor was
unable 10 appear at the trial or make
a deposition.
There can be no reasonable excuse
and especially since the certificates of
the physicians were not questioned. for
the board refusing 10 continue the case
until Dr. Chancellor was able to be
heard.
This case is not finished. and will not
be until every step has been taken-everv
effort made and resources exhausted TO
right the injustice done this man.
Mrs. Chancellor. when seen bv re-
porter for The Washington Herald, said
DIR. Chancellor was too i'll TO talk
DIR. Chancellors condition is serious. -
said Mrs. Chancellor. and he is unable
10 talk above whisper He has indi-
Gated he regarded the trial as devoid Of
all the elements of fairness"