The Detroit times., 1911-11-07
MINISTERS PROTEST Holly
AGAINST ANY ATTEMPT TO
REINSTATE TEACHER ELLIS
Baptists, Methodists and Pres
byterians Adopt Resolutions
Will Send Them To Board.
SHIPPEN HEADS FIGHT.
"Can't Have Man Addicted To
Liquor IN Charge of Schools"
Says Pastor.

I'm view of the facts brought out
in connection with the case OF
Mr.. Ellis, principal OF the Duftield
school, whose dismissal was due
TO habits and conduct unbecom.
ing his position. and in view OF
the active attempt to secure the
reconsideration OF the question OF
dismissal with the obvious object
OF reiustating the discharged
principal; and in view OF the con
viction that no person OF disco
lnte habits or questionable repu
tation should be employed in our
public schools: be L., therefore,
Resolved, That by unanimous
consent. the Baptist Ministers
conference OF Detroit assembled
Nov. 6. 1911, offers TO the board
of education It's most emphatic
protest against any reconsidera-
ton OF the matter, believing that
the best interests of our school
system demand high standard
OF character and efficiency i'm it's
teachers and governing force.
Acting on request from the Rev
Eugene r. Shipper. pastor of the
Unitarian church. the Baptist Min.
listers conference in the Woodward
ave. Baptist church. Monday morning
adopted the foregoing resolution with
out dissenting vote.
e The Presbyterian ministers, in theiI
weekly meeting. also adopted reso
lntion AT Mr. Shippen's request, but
il was not as strong as the one adopt
ed by the Baptists. The Presbyterians
merely approved of the board of edu
cations work in trying To maintain
and improve the morale OF the public
school system. and hoped that the
policy would be continued.
1--WE were asked to pass a resolu
ton opposing the reconsideration OF
the Ellis matter" said the Rev. A. II
Cameron. secretary OF the Presby
terrain Ministers association. but We
didn't do that, because we knew moth
ing against the man. except what we
read I'm the newspapers. We wouldn I
condemn a man unless we knew that
be was guilty of something requiring
such action.
The Methodists, like the Baptists,
also passed resolution, and made
il plain that they were strongly op-
posed 10 the reconsideration Of the
Ellis case. Their resolution set forth
that Mr.. Ellis, because OF his arrest
in connection with intoxication, was
not desirable as a teacher for the
children OF Detroit
Mr.. Shipper started the ball roll
ing on Sunday, when he read 10 his
congregation petition, which he
had framed. to be presented 10 the
board OF education, protesting against
The boards reopening the Ellis case.
as PROPOSED in the coming meeting.
hext Thursday night The petition
WAS afterward placed on table In
tire rear of the church, and the mem.
beers OF the congregation were asked
TO Sign il. Mr.. Shipper told The
Times. Monday, that a large number
attached their names 10 the docu-
ment.
II am not taking up the Ellis case
from a personal censorious motive,
said Or. Shipper. Il am merely try
ing 10 protect the schools from man
whom regard as unfit 10 be In
charge of them. This is not the first
time that Mr.. Ellis has been com.
planned against; he is known 10 be
addicted TO liquor. and any man who
has lost control of himself should
not be allowed to teach the children
OF our schools. We certainly think
that the board of education should
not reconsider his case"