1909-02 WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 029 1909-02-13 Minutes of the regular monthly meeting of the board of trustees of the Bellingham State Normal School held in the office of the principal this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Present: Chairman J.J. Edens, J.J. Donovan, F.F. Handschy, Principal Mathes and the clerk. Minutes of the meetings of Jan. 9th, 18th, and 29th were read and approved. Mr. Lutz showed a window attachment and offered to equip the windows of the Normal school at $1.50 per window. No action. Manager G.H. Barnes of Sherman, Clay and Co. offered to exchange one player piano and three Everett pianos at less than $400.00 each for four pianos belonging to the school, allowing for the latter as follows: The jacob Donn $225.00; the Johnston $150.00; the Arion $125; and the Behning $150.00, which is the amount that has been paid on the last-named piano to date. Mr. Barnes was instructed to present his proposition in writing for an exchange of the five pianos belonging to the school. The matter of putting new hammers in the Chickering for $25.00; rebuilding the Jacob Doll for $60.00; or remodelling the latter to make as good as new for $115.00 was laid on the table. Principal Mathes reported that the Faculty council had held its final meeting but had not revised the rules as yet. On motion of Mr. Handschy, the appended bills were audited and ordered paid: Maintenance Fund: Sherman, Clay and Co. $81.61; Whatcom Co. Ry and Lt Co. $100.55; City Water Department $35.00; C.M Sherman $11.10; F.D. Yale $15.00; Pacific Steam Laundry $6.15; Cole Truck and Storage Co. $8.90; Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co. $16.00; Home Telephone Co. of Puget Sound $5.35; Henry Holt and Co $1.37; Easton, Art Jeweler $7.74; Lowman and Hanford S and P Co. $56.14; S.B. Irish and Co. $7.75; W.H. Towner Printing Co. $23.60; National Education Association $2.00; Bellingham Electric Supply Co. $5.45; A.R. Campbell $5.00; Chandler and Barber $6.54; A.C. McClurg and Co. $29.59; E.T. Mathes $10.05; Total $434.89. Furniture Fund: B.B. Furniture Co. $17.07; Easton, Art Jeweler $21.21; Total $38.28 WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 030 1909-02-13 Miss Lawrence presented the appended report: Feb. 4th, 1909. To the Honorable Board of Trustees, State Normal School, Bellingham, Wash. Gentlemen: I beg to submit the appended report of the finances of the Domestic Economy department for the first semester of 1908-1909. Receipts. Sept - Fees $76.50; Total $76.50; Oct - Fees $7.00; Total $7.00; Nov - Fees $2.50; Sales $6.65; Dinners $4.90; Total $14.05; Dec - Fees $3.00; Sales $17.37; Dinners $1.20; Total $21.57; Jan - Sales $5.00; Dinners $8.75; Total $8.75. Total Fees $89.00; Total Sales $29.02; Total Dinners $9.85; Total $127.87. Expenditures. September, 1908 to February 1, 1909. Equipment - Mirror, screen, towel racks, shears, etc. $21.65; Supplies - Groceries and sewing materials (thread needles and pins) $105.61; Total $127.26; Balance on hand $0.61. Estimated value of supplies on hand including stable groceries, jelly, pickles and canned fruit $16.00; Outstanding grocery bill $15.75. Respectfully submitted, Minerva Lawrence. On motion of Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Handschy, the principal was requested to extend to Miss Lawrence the appreciation of the board of her clear, comprehensive statement and good financiering displayed. On motion of Mr. Handschy, seconded by Mr. Donovan, the matter of the annual catalogue of the school was referred to the principal. The remission of the indebtedness of Miss Gray for board at Edens hall in consideration of her work as bookkeeper was laid on the table. Principal Mathes presented the following statement from Prof. Frank Deerwester: WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 031 1909-02-04 Received from textbook library of Bellingham State Normal School: 45 copies Royce's Psychology; 11 copies Bett's Psychology. The same being valued at $23.50 as per statement of A.G. Seiler attached, which amount is at this time paid to Pres. E.T. Mathes. Frank Deerwester. The check for $23.50 to in the foregoing was turned over to the clerk to be deposited in the Sundry Items fund. Dr. Frye of the University of Washington having invited the co-operation of this school in the bilogical station at Friday Harbor during the summer, the board determined to supply a teacher for a term of six weeks. The principal reported that Mrs. Agnes Nessenson had taken her position as teacher of German at a salary of $40 per month beginning with February 1st, 1909. On motion of Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Handschy, the principal was authorized to purchase two dozen tablet arm chairs. On motion of Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Handschy, the principal was authorized to offer James A. Mitchell of Alma, Mich., a salary of $107.50 per month from date of engagement to August 31st, 1909, and to state that if his work is satisfactory the board is inclined to agree to elect him for the ensuing year at a salary of $1,500.00. On motion of Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Handschy, the principal was authorized to offer Miss Rebecca Knight of Geneseo, N.Y. an engagement for the present year closing August 31st, 1909, at a salary of not to exceed $1,000.00 per year. On motion of Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Handschy, the appended matters offered by the clerk were ordered entered of record: 1st: The entering into of a contract with J.W. Burns for the delivery of 100 cords of wood at $4.00 per cord before March 15th, 1909, at the Normal school, the bond being signed by J.W. Burns and O.F. Thompson. 2nd: The written application of Geo. H. Hornbuckle for the position of janitor in case of a vacancy. 3rd: the return to C.W. Gorham, ex-state printer, of original and duplicate vouchers and requisitions-one for $539.92, the other for $150.85, a total of $690.77, these vouchers having heretofore been presented to this Board by Mr. Gorham, but ordered filed. The return to Mr. Gorham was made at his request. 4th: The bill of Dr. Wheaton for $3.00 against Roy Goodell, which had been turned over to the Students association some months ago, but not paid. Mr. Hanschy presented a letter from E.W. Ross, addressed to F.L. Olslager, city treasurer, a copy of which is appended: WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 032 1909-02-11 Office of the Commissioner of Public Lands. Olympia, Wash. Feb. 11, 1909. Mr. F.L. Olslager. Bellingham, Wash. Dear sir: Your letter of the 6th inst. with reference to assessment for local improvements charged against the Normal School site in Bellingham has been referred to the Attorney General with the request that while the legislature is in session he will take up with the proper committee the advisability of new legislation on this subject. The commissioner of Public Lands has no record that will enable him at this time to describe the land occupied by any state institution, and I do not think that any of the acts of the Legislature relative to assessments for local improvements contemplated the conferring of jurisdiction upon the commissioner of public lands or the board of state land commissioners to take any action or do anything whatsoever with reference to local assessments against sites of public institutions. Such matters are peculiarly within the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents of such institutions. I do not believe that any law on the statute books today authorizes the assessment of the cost of local improvements against the site occupied by the Normal School at Bellingha. In my opinion no city favored by the legislature of the State of Washington with the location of such an institution as a normal school should be permitted to charge to the state any sum whatsoever for local improvement of streets in the neighborhood, and I do not believe that the law now authorizes the assessment of such local improvements against the site of the institution. I believe the laws authorizing local assessments to be made referred to land grants and not to the campus of an institution. However, the Attorney General will be requested to look into the matter and recommended to the proper committee of the Legislature the enactment of such laws as may be necessary to clear the atmosphere. Very truly yours, (Signed) E.W. Ross. Commissioner. On motion of Mr. Hanschy, seconded by Mr. Donovan, the clerk was instructed to refer the letter to Hadley, Hadley and Abbott, with a request that they determine what is the law in the case, what legal steps are necessary to be taken for the legislature to make payments for the assessments in question and to submit their fundings as soon as possible by letter to senator R.L. Kline. On motion of Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Handschy, it was resolved that when the board adjourns, it adjourn to 3 o'clock PM Feb. 20th, 1909, at the office of the principal. WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 033 1909-02-11 The clerk reported that he had followed the instructions of the Board of Trustees in serving a copy of the resolution of the Board of Jan. 9, 1909, relative to the investigation of the cause of unrest in the school and the resulting demand for the resignations of Professors O'Sullivan and Stone, upon those gentlemen, Dr. E.T. Mathes and the Bellingham Herald and American-Reveille and further that he had served upon Dr. Mathes the resolution relative to the abolition of the Faculty council, all of which instructions were carried out the morning of Jan. 11th, 1909. The clerk further reported that he had not received the resignations of Professors O'Sullivan and Stone. Thereupon Mr. Donovan offered the appended resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Handschy, and carried unanimously: Resolved, that the clerk of the Board be instructed to notify James O'Sullivan and E.N. Stone, in writing, to be present at an adjourned regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Bellingham State Normal School, next Saturday, Feb. 20th, 1909, at 3 o'clock PM at the office of the principal in said school to show cause why they should not be dismissed from the faculty of this institution for causing to be published and inspiring charges in the public press to the detriment of the discipline and standing of this school as found in the resolution of this board Jan. 9, 1909, to which reference is hereby made as a part of this resolution, and why their contracts should not be respectively rescinded and abrogated. On motion of Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Handschy, the clerk was instructed to confer with Hadley, Hadley and Abbott as to the proper legal form of the notices to James O'Sullivan and E.N. Stone. There being no further business, the Board adjourned. Minutes approved. J. Wayland Clark, clerk. John J. Edens, chairman. WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 034 1909-02-20 Minutes of the regular monthly meeting, adjourned from Feb. 13, 1909, of the board of trustees of the Bellingham State Normal School held in the office of the principal this afternoon at 3 o'clock. Present: Chairman J.J. Edens, J.J. Donovan, F.F. Handschy, Principal Mathes and the clerk. Minutes of the meeting of Feb. 13, 1909, read and approved. Principal Mathes reported that Miss Knight will be here a week from next Monday, but that Mr. Mitchell does not want to come until the 1st of April. Mr. Handschy presented a letter from W.P. Bell, attorney-general relative to the unpaid local improvement assessments against the Normal School property. Also, a letter from F.L. Olslager, city treasurer, on the same matter; And a blank certificate, addressed to the State Auditor, certifying that the assessments are unpaid. Mr. Handschy moved and Mr. Donovan seconded, that the certificate be signed by the Board of Trustees and that the clerk be instructed to forward all papers at once to Senator R.L. Kline for immediate filing with the State Auditor. Copies of the papers follow: Office of Attorney General Olympia. Feb. 17, 1909. Trustees of Bellingham Normal School. Bellingham, Wash. Gentlemen: The City Tresurer of Bellingham has certified to E.W. Ross the amount of a local improvement assessment against the Normal school property in Bellingham, and the matter has been referred to this office. Mr. Ross takes the position that he has no authority or control whatever over the land belonging to the state which is occupied by any of the public institutions, but has only control of the land that is for sale or lease. I believe, however, that the legislature will provide for paying the local improvement assessments against improved property belonging to the state, such as the Normal school property, although there is no direct or positive law provided for the state making such payments. I would suggest that your Board of Trustees ascertain the full amount of the local improvement assessment against the Whatcom Normal School property and certify the same to the State Auditor, WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 035 1909-02-20 and he will then present the matter to the Legislature and ask that an apparopriation be made to cover the amount. This should be done immediately as the legislature will not be in session very long and bills of this kind should be presented on or before the 23rd, as under a rule adopted no bill can be presented after that time without consent. Yours very respectfully, W.P. Bell, Attorney general. Bellingham, Wash, Feb. 20, 1909. To the Board of Trustees, State Normal School, Bellingham, Wash; Gentlemen: Herewith I hand you duplicate copies of assessment made against the Normal School property by the City of Bellingham for street improvements. Local Improvement Dist. No. 61, for the improvement of High street and Oak street to a point one block south of Cedar street, by grading, plank sidewalks, wooden curbs gutters etc; $1,309.91. This assessment having been made under the mode of bond payments, interest must be figured to date of next delinquiency, after having passed a delinquent period, which in this case requires the payment of interest from Aug. 9, 1907 to Aug. 9, 1909, two years at 7% or $183.39 together with principal $1309.91 a total of $1493.30. Local Improvement Dist. No. 144, for the improvement of Cedar street High to Indian street, by clearing grading and concrete sidewalks, $606.72 bears interest from Aug. 21, 1908 at 7% to date the remittance will reach the City Treasurer's office. Trunk Sewer Dist. No. 7, being for a storm sewer Maple to Cedar street on Garden street for the purpose of draining certain portion of the city, $379.50. This assessment is not yet delinquent but will become so on March 18, 1909. If payment is made before that date there will be no interest charges, otherwise interest will accrue on that date and is chargeable at 7% from March 18, 1909 to date of payment, same as Dist. No. 144. I have mailed copies of amounts to be paid, when delinquent etc; giving full information to Mr. E.W. Ross, Commissioner of Public Lands on dates noted on enclosed copies, so that his office has full data as per 1905 session laws, page 268. Yours truly, F.L. Olslager, City Treasurer. WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 036 1909-02-20 State of Washington $1309.91; Vacant space between lot 7, block 104 and Cedar street. Garden Park Addition. Certificate of above mailed E.W. Ross, Commissioner of Public Lands, Olympia, Wash; Aug. 14th, 1907. State of Washington $606.72. That portion of the Bellingham Normal School Tract, located in the city of Bellingham and lying within the assessment district and described as follows: Commencing at the west corner of said tract, thence southeast along the southwest margin of the point of intersection of the northwest line of Indian street produced with the said southwest margin of said tract; thence at right angles in a northeasterly direction a distance of 220 feet; thence in a northwesterly direction 220 feet from and parallel to the southwest margin of said tract to the intersection with the northwest margin of said tract; thence southwesterly along said margin to the west corner of said tract, the point of beginning. Certificate of above mailed E.W. Ross, Commissioner of Public Lands, Olympia, Wash; July 23rd, 1908. State of Washington $379.50. Tract Marked "Normal School" approximately 55 lots. Certificate of above mailed E.W. Ross, commissioner of Public Lands, Olympia, Wash. Feb. 18th, 1909. Bellingham, Washington, Feb. 20th, 1909. Honorable State Auditor of the State of Washington. Attached hereto are three duplicate memoranda of assessments with letter of F.L. Olslager, City Treasurer of the city of Bellingham, Washington, dated today, showing the amount of assessments and particulars as to accrued and accruing interest thereon levied and charged by said city upon and against the property of the State of Washington in said city, as therein show, being the site of the Bellingham State Normal School. The attached documents are hereby referred to and incorporated in this certificate as a part hereof. WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 037 1909-02-20 We hereby certify that the several assessments shown in said attached instruments have been levied and charged as therein shown upon and against the property therein stated, and that said assessments in the amounts and with interest as shown in the treasurer's attached statement and the whole therof, are unpaid. Board of Trustees of Bellingham State Normal School. In pursuance of the direction of the Board of Trustees as embodied in a resolution under date of Feb. 13th, 1909, the clerk had addressed a communication to E.N. Stone and James O'Sullivan respectively, of which the appended is a copy: Dear sir: you are hereby notified to be present at an adjourned regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Bellingham State Normal School, next Saturday, Feb. 20th, 1909, at 3 o'clock PM at the office of the principal of said school to show cause why you should not be dismissed from the faculty of this institution for causing to be published and inspiring charges in the public press to the detriment of the discipline and standing of this school, as found in the resolution of this Board, Jan. 9th, 1909--of which resolution you have a copy--and why your contract should not be rescinded and abrogated. This notice is given in pursuance of a resolution of the Board of Trustees, Feb. 13th, 1909. Respectfully yous, (Signed) J. Wayland Clark, clerk. In response to the foregoing notice there were present: Messrs. James O'Sullivan, E.N. Stone and their attorneys S.M. Bruce and Henry M. White, and Reporters Prouty and Carver, representing respectively the American-Reveille and Bellingham Herald. Chairman Edens presented the appended statement: To Professors Stone and O'Sullivan, members of the faculty of the Bellingham State Normal School: Gentlemen: There were published in our city newspapers a short time ago several articles reflecting upon the efficiency the standing and good name of the Bellingham State Normal School. Ordinary the board of trustees take no notice of occasional articles of this character, but the persistent publication of these attacks was injuring the school, and had injured it almost irreparably throughout the country. With the view to ascertain and determine who was responsible for the publication of these articles, the Bard of Trustees held an investigation in the Normal building, on the 9th day of January, 1909. Some twenty-seven witnesses were examined at that time, including every member of the faculty, except three who were absent from the city. The evidence produced at that time clearly showed beyond a doubt that both of you were responsible for their publication. The result of this evidence was that you were at once suspended from you work with your classes and requested to voluntarily tender your resignation as members of the faculty to take effect within thirty days. That time has now elapsed and your resignation has not yet been received. WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 038 1909-02-20 The board of trustees believe that the very fact that you gentlemen (who were teachers in our school at that time) would use the newspapers to create and work up among the public an adverse and injurious sentiment against the efficiency, good name and standing of our Normal school has rendered your firther usefulness as teacher in our school at an end, and is good and just cause for your dismissal from our institution. If you can show cause, or have any good reason, why your connection with the Bellingham State Normal School should not terminate at once, the Board of Trustees are not ready to hear you. Messrs. White, Bruce and O'Sullivan made formal addresses in which the responsibility for the articles referred to was admitted in part. After a lengthy discussion of the matter Attorney S.M. bruce offered a communication purporting to be a series of charges against Principal E.T. Mathes and claimed that the proof of such charges would be a complete defense and justification of such conduct on the part of Professors Stone and O'Sullivan. On motion of Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Handschy the Board decided to receive the communication in open session and to consider it in executive session. Dr. Mathes also addressed the board asking for a complete and immediate consideration of the charges. In executive session the communication directed against Dr. Mathes was read and after consideration the Board found that such charges would not be a justification of the conduct of professors O'Sullivan and Stone, even if true. The board also found from the statements made and evidence submitted in the open session and admissions made to the board by the said professors at the former meeting of Jan. 9th, 1909, that the full responsibility for the articles referred to in the resolution adopted at that meeting, of which resolution the said professors have received a copy, rested upon said professors; the board further found that the publication of said articles resulted in serious detriment to the discipline and standing of the Normal School, that the usefulness of said professors has been destroyed, that their continued employment under their contracts would be detrimental to the best interests of the institution, and that their conduct violated the conditions of their contract. Thereupon Mr. Donovan offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: Resolved that the existing contracts between this Board and Professors E.N. Stone and James O'Sullivan be abrogated for causeunder date of February 28th, 1909, and that the clerk be instructed to notify both these gentlement in writing of the action of this board. Mr. Handschy seconded. Upon formal presentation for a vote, the three members of the Board voted "aye" and the resolution was declared carried. Upon motion of Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Handschy, it was ordered that the charges preferred through Attorney Bruce and directed against Dr. Mathes be made the special order of business at 2 o'clock PM, march 6th, 1909 at the Normal School. On motion of Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Handschy, it was ordered that when this meeting adjourns, it adjourn until the hour, day and place set forth in the last preceding motion. The clerk received instructions to notify Attorney Bruce of the hearing set for the charges preferred through him and to notify Messrs. Stone and O'Sullivan of the abrogation of their contracts. The action of the clerk in drawing a check for $10.00 on the Sundry Items fund in payment for 500 two-cent postage stamps, on motion of Mr. Handschy, seconded by Mr. Edens, was ratified. There being no further business, the Board adjourned until 2 PM March 6th, 1909. Minutes approved. J. Wayland Clark, clerk. Chairman. WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 055 1909-02-13 The clerk reported that he had followed the instructions of the Board of Trustees in serving a copy of the resolution of the Board of Jan. 9, 1909, relative to the investigation of the cause of unrest in the school and the resulting demand for the resignations of Professors O'Sullivan and Stone, upon those gentlemen, Dr. E. T. Mathes and the Bellingham Herald and American-Reveille and further that he had served upon Dr. Mathes the resolution relative to the abolition of the Faculty council, all of which instructions were carried out the morning of Jan. 11, 1909. The clerk further reported that he had not received the resignations of Professors O'Sullivan and Stone. Thereupon Mr. Donovan offered the appended resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Handschy, and carried unanimously: WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 056 1909-02-13 "Resolved, that the clerk of the Board be instructed to notify James O'Sullivan and E. N. Stone, in writing, the be present at an adjourned regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Bellingham State Normal School, next Saturday, Feb. 20, 1909, at 3 o-clock P. M. at the office of the Principal in said school to show cause why they should not be dismissed from the faculty of this institution for causing to be published and inspiring charges in the public press to the detriment of the discipline and standing of this school as found in the resolution of this Board, Jan. 9, 1909, to which reference is hereby made as a part of this resolution, and why their contracts should not be respectively rescinded and abrogated." 1909-02-20 In pursuance of the direction of the Board of Trustees as embodied in a resolution under date of Feb. 13th, 1909, the clerk had addressed a communication to E. N. Stone and James O'Sullivan respectively, of which the appended is a copy: "Dear sir;- you are hereby notified to be present at an adjourned regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Bellingham State Normal School, next Saturday, Feb. 20th, 1909, at 3 o'clock, P. M. at the office of the Principal of said school to show cause why you should not be dismissed from the faculty of this institution for causing to be published and inspiring charges in the public press to the detriment of the discipline and standing of this school, as found in the resolution of this Board, Jan. 9th, 1909 --- of which resolution you have a copy---and why your contract should not be rescinded and abrogated. This notice is given in pursuance of a resolution of the Board of Trustees, Feb. 13th, 1909. Respectfully yours, (Signed) J. Wayland Clark, Clerk." In response to the foregoing notice there were present: Mossrs. James O'Sullivan, E. N. Stone and their attorneys S. M. Bruce and Henry M. White, and Reporters Prouty and Carver, representing respectively the American-Reveille and Bellingham Herald. Chairman Edens presented the appended statement: "To Professors Stone and O'Sullivan, members of the faculty of the Bellingham State Normal School;- Gentlemen:- There were published in our city newspapers a short time ago several articles reflecting upon the efficiency, the standing and good name of the Bellingham State Normal School. Ordinarily the Board of Trustees take no notice of occasional articles of this character, but the persistent publication of these attacks was injuring the school, and had injured it almost irreparably throughout the country. With the view to ascertain and determine who was responsible for the publication of these articles, the Board of Trustees held an investigation in the Normal building, on the 9th day of Jan., 1909. Some twenty-seven witnesses were examined at that time, including every member of the faculty except three who were absent from the city. The evidence produced at that time clearly showed beyond a doubt that both of you were responsible for their publication. WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 057 1909-02-20 "The result of this evidence was that you were at once suspended from work with your classes, and requested to voluntarily tender your resignation as members of the faculty to take effect within thirty days. That time has now elapsed and your resignation has not yet been received. "The Board of Trustees believe that the very fact that you gentlemen (who were teachers in our school at that time) would use the newspapers to create and work up among the public an adverse and injurious sentiment against the efficiency, good name and standing of our Normal school has rendered your further usefulness as teachers in our school at an end, and is good and just cause for your dismissal from our institution. "If you can show cause, or have any good reason, why your connection with the Bellingham State Normal School should not terminate at once, the Board of Trustees are now ready to hear you." Messrs. White, Bruce and O'Sullivan made formal addresses in which the responsibility for the articles referred to was admitted in part. After a lengthy discussion of the matter Attorney S. M. Bruce offered a communication purporting to be a series of charges against Principal E. T. Mathes and claimed that the prood of such charges would be a complete defense and justification of such conduct on the part of Professors Stone and O'Sullivan. On motion of Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Handschy, the Board decided to receive the communication in open session and to consider it in executive session. Dr. Mathes also addressed the Board asking for a complete and immediate consideration of the charges. In executive session the communication directed against Dr. Mathes was read and after consideration the Board found that such charges would not be a justification of the conduct of Professors O'Sullivan and Stone, even if true. The Board also found from the statements made and evidence submitted in the open session and admissions made to the Board by the said professors at the former meeting of Jan. 9th, 1909, that the full responsibility for the articles referred to in the resolution adopted at that meeting, of which resolution the said professors have received a copy, rested upon said professors; the Board further found that the publication of said articles resulted in serious detriment to the discipline and standing of the Normal School, that the usefulness of said professors has been destroyed, that their continued employment under their contracts would be detrimental to the best interests of the institution, and that their conduct violated the conditions of their contract. Thereupon Mr. Donovan offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: "Resolved, that the existing contracts between this Board and Professors E. N. Stone and James O'Sullivan be abrogated for cause under date of February 28th, 1909, and that the clerk be instructed to notify both these gentlemen in writing of the action of this Board." Mr. Handschy seconded, Upon formal presentation for a vote, the three members of the Board voted "aye" and the resolution was declared carried. Upon motion of Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Handschy, it was ordered that the charges preferred through Attorney Bruce and directed against Dr. Mathes be made the special order of business at 2 o'clock p. m., March 6th, 1909 at the Normal School. WWU Board of Trustees meeting minutes for February 1909 Volume 03 - Page 058 1909-02-20 On motion of Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Handschy, it was ordered that when this meeting adjourns, it adjourns until the hour, day and place set forth in the last preceding motion. The clerk received instructions to notify Attorney Bruce of the hearing set for the charged preferred through him and to notify Messrs. Stone and O'Sullivan of the abrogation of their contract. There being no further business, the Board adjourned until 2 P. M. March 6th, 1909. (Signed) J. Wayland Clark, Clerk. J. J. Edens, Chairman. ##