Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1911-09-20


schools of the borough opened. While
the audience was composed chiefly of
men, many ladies We're present also.
And in the assembly were many of the
representative citizens of Pleasantville.
There is nothing dearer to the heart of
the American citizen than the public
school system, and when you disturb it
you are sure to hear from the people,
The meeting, however, accomplished
nothing in the desired line, but develop
ed into a rehash of the differences be-
tween the Board of Education and the
Supervising Principal, all of which is
well known to the mass of our citizens.
The meeting was called to order at s
o'clock, and ]. Al. McAnney was selected
as chairman, with Franklin E. Smith
secretary. Charles Nelson, president of
the School Board, said that it had been
reported to him that the matter could
be adjusted by the Board resigning as
the Supervising Principal would resign
if they dld, and he said they were there
tS of the 81 prepared to end it in this
manner. Mr. L. d. Champion supple
mented the remarks, stating that if it
was considered to the best interest of
the borough, the designations of the
Board would be forthcoming in short or
der
Mr.. McAnney said that it would be
necessary to bring the two sides togeth-
er, and an open discussion was decided
to be advisable.
Mr.. VIM. Connolly said that the eight
members of the Board present meant
business, ana that he himself intended
resigning at the next meeting of the
Board anyway.
David R. Adams promised tosuse his
influence in asking for Mr.. Marstellar's
resignation.
AT this point, Mr.. MarsteNar being in
the room, it was suggested that he be
heard from and he came forward to the
| platform. He told Of his coming to
Pleasantville in 1902 much against his
desire, but that everything then was
peace and harmony. He worked like a
trojan to give what he considers a mon
ument to any community high school
which he obtained single handed. He
lost money by staying here to see that
the taxpayers got what they paid for.
Took up the cloak of politician, and
selected Messrs. Reed, Nelson and Hugh
Collins for the Board, for which he was
sorry. He told of the Board receiving
dictionary for adopting Hamilton's
arithmetic, which he considered bribe.
Then related the S. incident which he
characterized as a bribe to Mr. Helfrich.
Saved the borough SS5 in bill for heat
er repairs. Told of Miss Sauter's COM
ing as drawing teacher and how he OBJ
jected. Told of his election to other po-
sitions. Last March he applied for a
position at Bordentown, and invited
them to come to Pleasantville and ex-
anime his school. They were directed
to see Messrs. Reed and Helfrich, went
to Helfrich's shop and got no further.
In spite of this, received an equal vote
with opponent. They tell us our schools
are inferior to Atlantic City, yet 9 Of
their best teachers have been secured
from us in the last three years. He told
of his contract, saying that he received
letter stating that he had been unani-
mously elected at a salary of $1,000,
provided he would stay at least three
years. He accepted. The contract re-
quired two years notice in writing to
terminate Next contract read with
time condition same as former contract.
Wants charges preferred by Board, so
he can be heard. Knew four weeks be-
forehand that resolution ousting him
was to be passed. He said Mr.. Reed had
spoken of him in unbecoming language.
The schools are closed because if opened
the Board of Education would be in con-
tempt of court.
Mr.. Reed was next called for. He
said that he had been accused Of things
which if true he would expect the treat
ment that had been accorded him. 1t is
for the people to say, not Marstellar,
who selected him. He was first elected
to the Board four years ago, receiving
fattering vote. Shortly afterwards
with two other members of the Board
met at Marstellar's house, and because
he objected to increases in salaries that
/ Marstellar wanted he considered it a
personal affront. and he was obliged to
suffer certain indignities. He afterwards
agreed to sign the recommendation, but
later, at the meeting, requested the
Clerk to erase his name. Marstellar
sent representative to Camden in an
endeavor to have him ousted from his
position with the railroad company.
upon the Board for supplies in excess of
what the teachers by affidavit declared
they needed. Mr.. Turner, who gave the
| So represented as bribe to Mr.. Hell
frich, was invited to come to Pleasant
vile, and in presence of Henry @. Thorn
as, Samuel ]. Clark, Helfrich and Reed,
stated that the money did not pass from
| his hand until after o'clock in the eve
ming, and was purely a gift for Mr.. Hell
/ frich's son, who had been injured in a
ball game. As to remarks attributed to
him, he stated he had made them, but
not in a Board meeting as represented
| and expressed his sorrow for using the
language He had always taken as
much interest as Marstellar in endeavor-
ing to have bills reduced There has
been nothing but discord, unharmonious
action, during the past four years, and
| at each election the issue has been Mar
stellar and Anti -Marstellar The tax
PAYERS never failed to vote the money
! they had asked for, and so far as he
knew it had been spent to best advan-
tage and he had never been party to
any graft He said MarstelIar forgot
to mention about money he had given
to buy votes. He said he did not con-
troll the Board as suggested, but for his
acts as a member he had nothing to re.
gret. He said he hoped the designations
\ of all might be accepted and the schools
opened, and that he would never again
aspire for the position, that the trouble
could never-be ended with the present
Board and Supervising Principal.