The Washington socialist. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1914-1915, 1915-03-11
A TEACHER FIGHT FOR
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE


D.
Flora I. Foreman have prosecuted her.
1t would be impossible in a small
space to deal with all the facts of the
case.
The fight is still on. But the strug-
gle has exhausted the financial re-
sources of Mrs. Foreman and those
who have been fighting side by side
with her.
The case is now pending before the
supreme court and money must be
raised to push it to a successful issue.
Here Are Few Facts.
In November, 1913, group Of Luth-
eran fanatics attempted to drive Mrs.
Foreman out of the Quincy public
school, Of which she was principal.
False charges were filed against her
and her immediate removal was de-
manded. One of their charges was
that she taught Socialism to her pu-
pills.
Aligned with Mrs. Foreman's Quincy
enemies was the county superinten-
dent and the district attorney of Co.
lumbia county.
In her first taal, which occurred be-
fore the Quincy school board Novem-
Der %, 1913, Mrs. Foreman was I'M
animously acquitted and exhonerated.
Her enemies, however, Immediately
contrived to call an election of school
directors and by hook or crook,-par-
ticularly the latter,-succeeded in
electing a board hostile to Mrs. Fore
man. The new board premptorily dis
missed Mrs. Foreman, without permit
ting her hearing as provided by law.
Acting within her legal rights, she
refused to recognize the dismissal.
But when on the following school day
she attempted to appear at the school
house to open school, she was assault
ed and beaten by School Director Lar
son and was then arrested on the
charge of rioting. Several Of her
friends were also arrested on the same
charge.
Indictments on that charge were
subsequently brought by the grand
jury against Mrs. Foreman and some
Of her Quincy friends.
In the prosecution Of Mrs. Foreman
District Attorney billiard was conspicu-
GUS. Finally recall was started
against billiard. 1t succeeded and one
Metzger was elected district attorney.
The recall of billiard was found to be
illegal Meanwhile, however, billiard
had the indictments against Mrs. Fore
man and her friends dismissed. AS
soon as the indictments were dismiss
ed Mrs Foreman brought suit against
the Quincy school board to recover
her salary, as per contract. The case
was tried in Judge Aiken's court be-
fore the usual kind Of jury. OF course
the jury rendered verdict against
Mrs. Foreman.
1t has been a long, desperate strug-
gle, and it will require concerted and
prodigious effort on the part of all
those who are interested in democracy,
in liberty of thought and speech, and
fair play, to carry the case to sue
cessful conclusion.
| The Importance of this struggle of
Mrs. Foreman's is of vital consequ-
ence to every school teacnee, as we'll
as every man, woman and child in
Oregon
1t is a fight to establish the right
of teachers to entertain Independent
views on social, economic or religious
questions.
! 1t is fight also, to settle the right
of public school teachers Ill tine state
of Oregon to legally collect their sal
aries on contract with school boards.
1t is furthermore fight to set up the
right Of teachers to a hearing when
charges are brought against them.
Funds must be raised to continue
the struggle, if we would win. There
! fore, all who can do so are earnestly
requested to contribute whatever
money they can spare
Send funds to Albert Streiff room
324 Henry building, Portland, Ore, or
directly to Mrs. Flora l. Foreman, 726
Belmont street, Portland, Ore.