Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-09-14
TIMELY INTERFERENCE
PREVENTS FREE FIGHT
allure of Superintendent to Endorse
Certificate of Teacher Elected by
Col. Huffman's Committee Cause Of
Bitter Debate--Board In Executive
Session Reverses Committee.

| Division superintendent of Schools
fillis A. Jenkins attempted to attack
Lchool Trustee Il. w Huffman with
| pen knife during a lively tilt be-
|veen the men over the election Of a
fachef for the city schools last night
4 the regular meeting of the board
4 school trustees in the assembly hall
the High school building. The SUI
Ierintendent was restrained by main
Prce, Trustee c. V. Cosby grabbing
! m from behind, pinioning his arms
| I'D forcing him back into his seat.
There has long been had blood be-
Feen the superintendent and Col.
huffman and the trouble lastrnight re-
t,lted from the refusal of the superin-
Indent TO endorse the certificate of
iss Rosa NJ. finder, of Clifton Forge,
ho was employed as teacher last
eek by the rules and regulations
bmmittee, of which Col. Huffman is
hartman Col Huffman spoke at
tngth On the matter before the board
I'd was frequently interrupted by MI
,nkins. Finally the superintendent
. aped 70 his feet and rushed toward
e colonel with clenched firsts.
interfere Before Blows Pass.
| Col. Huffman. who was standing al
lost in front OF the desk behind
hitch sat Acting President Bivins,
Few his fist back TO meet the on
aught, but Trustees J. P Harrison
Id c.. V. Cosby interferred before
ows could be exchanged. Mr.. Cosby
Fabbed the superintendent and,
ough Nh Jenkins struggled some
! first, dragged him back to his seat
AS Col. Huffman started 10 proceed,
Int. Jenkins leaped to his feet again,
3umbled something about a con
mptible scamp" and drew a small
iife from one of his pockets and
3arted cut of the row of seats be-
Eeen which he stood. Mr.. Cosby
cceeded in getting him into his seat
Jain.
ray OCdtlJ III
Col Huffman announced that he did
BIT propose to run away as he was
bt afraid of anybody. and warned the
/ perintendent that he could draw as
|anv knives as he chose. but that ne
[puld pay dearly for It, The coloneFs
lice trembled with emotion and both
and the superintendent appeared
be very angry.
Shortly after the board met las
yght. Col Huffman made his report
tho Teachers elerted BY his commit
y 20 MI the Vacancies in the corps
40 committee was inSir's'i~d hv th''
.srd to nil al such vara nci"s l'"i"'e
H. schools opened tie said that ne
Ia MIR. Bachelor h5d agreed upon the
lection of Miss finder, but that Tor
me reason the superintendent had
Efused 20 endorse her certificate. the
perintendent stated that he did not
We TO endorce the certificate: that
had good reasons for not endors-
u i, and that the teacher could no'
gin work in the schools until "e
HI endorsed the certificate.
Boarding at His House
lilo, words Immediately ensuec De
con the men and Col Huffman SAID
AZ no had understood thai Mr. Jen-
rs had made the remark that the
- he 1coI. Huffm2nl elected the
|bchcr was that she was boarding ~
horse Nr. Jenkins said that ne
IL made that tafement and wonia
lex IL and started toward the eo'onei
In fists cicnched.
latter the trouble had subsided 10
Inc extent. Col HUFFMAN said that
g Tindcr had come to him HON
suoerintendcn3: that she haa
rcndid endorsements from superb
I,dcnts under whom she had 'arsh''
:, she had bcon employed IN Hamp-
hu, had given Up the position ne
Il ,ee tho session lasted only eiSn'
,r,hs and tina, be thought she wouia
d ko -hc schools splendid teacher
8 .,,,,oscd h said. that the super
+ crscut had endorsed her when nc
\, hc- 70 him % see about se'ti"s
4 cosition. As 20 tho teacher bo''Io
=. he house. he declared thai she
B =. his house 80 the guest 81 Mt
rma, until the matter Of her elec-
4 II is settled
4 Mr.. esteheior ESplsins.
h. Bafchelor explained his po. .,.'
4 ,bc matter. saying that Col Hua
Il = caslod him BY telephone about
II LIN the teacher and that he IN.
- before h. gave his pcrm's
/. for her election that she was az
- nv mo superintendent since
ri he said. h. had been told ma
~.s . graduate of small semi
= ana bad taught only IN country
-, s.nksns scid the bosrd thaf