Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-06-25
BLUFF! COWARD!
SCHOOL TRUSTEES
CRY At DETRACT0R
South Orange Citizen Failed to
Prove His Charges at All Night
Session, Say Members.
LITTLE GIRL ADMITS
WASHING DISHES FOR LUNCH
Robinson Threatens to Move
Back to England if His Chill.
dren Are Not Better Treated.

dren Are Not Better Treated.
What appeared to be one-half the
population and lone policeman who
was there to preserve order gathered
outside the Columbia School, South Or
ange, at o'clock this morning, while
within the teachers and building COM
mittee of the South Orange Board of
Education was bombarding Henry Rob-
inson, New York manufacturer, with
cries of coward" bluff" "sit down"
Mr.. Robinson was before the board
to substantiate sworn charges of in
competency which he had made against
the faculty of the South Orange schools.
He charged that his son Henry had
been unjustly expelled from the gradu-
ating class of Columbia School for a
period of five days. beginning June 5.
and this prevented him from gradual
ing.
Mr.. Robinson created big stir when
he also charged that 13-year-oid Mar
garet Lutz was made to wash dishes
and wait on table from IL o'clock until
o'clock every day. her recompense be-
ing the lunches she ate with the other
school children in an improvised din
| ing hall.
| A. w. Abbott, secretary Of the Chill
dren's Aid Society, admitted that
neither the girls father nor mother had
asked that the girl be taught hodse-
keeping.
| At 1890 o'clock, after the meeting had
~. h.. y
Mr.. Robinson asked for an adjourn
ment, but was informed by School
Trustee George e. Low. the chair
man, that the hearing would have to
go on.
willing to SIT All Night.
II most strenuously object to continn-
ing the case at this time" Mr.. Robin
son stated. y9t
said School Trustee Charles e. Colley.
$50 am f. was heard from the other
members.
Yes, you men have been swapping at
me all night"
Here Mr.. Robinson's remarks were
! drowned by exciamations from the
members of the Board of Education,
all of whom Jumped to their feet In
anger.
II don't propose to take such insult
ing remarks from you airy longerr'
said President Charles G. Fielding. OF
the Board OF Education, as he pounded
the table with his closed fist ~
I'VE would take them from a gentle
man, but not from you!" Trustee J.
Henry Theberath shouted.
Good night" was Mr. Robinson's re-
ply as he was about to leave the cham
ber. accompanied with his three sons.
Robinson Defled to Stay.
stay here and fight your battle.
Don't show a white feather" Trustee
Arthur L. Phillips was heard to say.
IT will receive no consideration from
you people; why should Stays" the
protestor then asked.
"Your conduct has been impetuous and
insulting" Mr.. Low added. and Mr..
Theberath shouted: "You brought ly-
ing insinuations to this board--prove
them" while Mr.. Phillips Joined in
in a high tone Of voice, declaring he
would object to going ahead and prov
| ing because there was anything to
prove.
Father Forbids Son to Answer.
Chairman Low insisted on carrying on
the hearing and called for Young Rob-
| inson as a witness. The father refused
to allow his son to answer. and as they
walked out every member of the in
vestigating committee was on the floor
and with fists closed shouted at the Pc
| titioner.
you're bluff." Mr.. Colley asserted.
you published the charges broad
cast. Now you are not man enough
to stay and prove them," Mr.. Low de-
clared, and Superintendent Henry w.
Foster exclaimed gruffiy: "Sit down,
then. and fight your case"
Coward! It's dirty mean and con-
temptible!" is the way Mr.. Phillips
then expressed himself. while the resi-
dents Of the community, who crowded
the room and corridors, shouted
clapped and hissed.
The testimony of several witnesses
had been taken previous to this time,
among them being Superintendent Fos-
ter, Principal william e. Freeman,
Miss Carrie e. Brown and Miss Clara
e. Morrison, teachers, all Of whom had
been accused; Augustus w. Abbott,
agent Of the Children's Aid and Pro-
tective Society Of the Oranges; Deacon
ess Paterson, of the Church of the
HOLY mE5s Usual ctCE~
son, custodian Of the school lunch coun-
ter; young Robinson and several ether
pupils.
No Verdict II Announced.
Although no verdict was announced,
It was assumed by all present that the
committees would recommend to the
Board of Education that all of the
charges preferred be rejected. Judge
Benjamin F. Jones represented Prin-
cipal Freeman, and Nathan Kussy, at
torney for Mr.. Robinson, was present
Sworn charges were made by Mrs
Maria Doyle. Of Academy street. to the
effect that certain members of the fac
ulty had led a boycott on her confec-
tionery and grocery store, which is
near the school. There being no wit
nesses present, this case was laid over
until a date to be later fixed. The
Doyle charges. which were in the form
of an an1davit signed by the protestant,
were first to be given the attention Of
the committee. The Robinson hearing
<~lynrxsd