New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1919-04-25
Object to Charges of
Malicious Camgaign
Against School Board
and its Supt.
TAXPAYERS ASSN.
TAKES UP CUDGEL
Sexton Says Gaffney and
Holmes Should Be Dis
qualified From Hearing
Evidence.

EVlQenco.
Drastic Action Follows Meeting of
School Board Yesterday When it
Was Voted Not to Re-cngagc ANY
Teachers Found Guilty of Spreading
Anti-Schooi Board Administration
Propaganda.
Determined to have a thorough in
vestigation of the alleged charges to
be preferred by the school board
against the school teachers, delega-
tion of instructors this morning en-
gagged Attorney M. A. Sexton to repre-
sent them in a public hearing which
they demand should be held. The
trouble between the teachers and the
board came to q head late yesterday
when the school commissioners at a
special meeting unanimously voted
not to re-engage any teacher found
guilty Of having participated in "a
more or less deliberate and systematic
campaign of malicious falsehood and
Misrepresentation" which they allege
has been carried on during the past
few weeks. The board claims that
the special object of these attacks has
been both the school committee and
superintendent of schools S. Fl.
Holmes.
Taxpayers ASSN Takes Up Fight.
Attorney Sexton stated this morning
that he has been engaged to represent
both the teachers and the Taxpayers'
and BontpaNcrS' association in the in
NaStic~qfiOr0 which a rn I2tprr1 n o6
to have. He said that the teachers
wanted the charges investigated. A
resolution. similar to the one adopted
=, by the school board yesterday after
moan was to have been presented at
the last meeting of the school board
on behalf of the teachers. It was not
brought forth he stated, as the COM
missioner who was entrusted with the
resolution had net taken his oath of
office and was unqualified to partici
pate in the proceedings of the board.
Wants Charges In Writing.
In justice to the teachers" con-
tinued Lawyer Sexton, ''the charges
should be put in writing and the
teachers given ample opportunity to
answer them, secure witnesses and
obtain counsel. No evidence should
be heard by the investigating commit
tee, unless the teachers arc present to
defend themselves. They have a
v right to be represented by the counsel
and the meeting should be open to
the public.
Objects to Gaffncy and Holmes.
II understand that the finance and
teachers committee are to investi-
gate the alleged charges. The investi-
cation ought to be conducted bv a
board of not less than seven. Superin-
tendent Stanley Fl. Holmes and Judge
Bernard A. Gaffney should be dis
qualified to act as they are both di-
rectly interested in the proceedings.
Demands Open Meetings.
The teachers will not stand for any
star chamber meetings or secret ses-
sions They have right to demand
that the charges be properly formu-
uated and proven. If the charges
prove correct, the teachers should be
discharged and if they fail the public
ough- to know that the principal is at
fault"
Lawyer Issues Statement.
The following statement was issued
this noon by Lawyer Sexton:
1--WE are in favor of an investiga-
ton of the charges that are alleged
to have been made against the school
committee and the superintendent Of
SCnOOlS and his assistants, providing
1t IS real, fair, open investiga ton
and not any ex parte hearing, no Sc
cret session. The resolution as adopt-
ed yesterday by the school committee
as along the same lines, practically, as
one that was to be presented at the
next regular meeting of the board on
behalf of number of prominent cit
fzens who felt in justice to the chill
dren attending the public schools
that things had come to such a pass
between the teachers and their super,
iors that something should be done il
the welfare of these children was MOI
to be jeopardized.
1--WE feel that the investigation
should be conducted by the entire
board with the possible exception o1
the. present teachers committee
These members will in all proba bility
feel that they are disqualified to act
in Justice to the teachers and for rea-
sons best known to themselves
's'In all fairness to the teachers ant
the pubIic whatever charges are for.
Continued on Thirteenth Page)