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A TEACHER'S FIGHT FOR LIBERTY AND JUSTICESummary of the Case.For over a year the enemies of Mrs. Flora 1. Foreman have persecuted her.It would ho impossible in a small space to deal with all the facts of the case.The fight in still on. Hut the strug- i gle has exhausted the financial re- | sources of Mrs. Foreman and those j who have been fighting side by side! with her.The case is now pending before the supreme court and money must beraised to push it to a successful issue.Here Are a Few Facts.In November, 1913, a group of Lutheran 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 demanded. One of their charges was that she taught Socialism to her pupils.Aligned with Mrs. Foreman’s Quincy enemies was the county superintendent and the district attorney of Columbia county.In her first tjal, which occurred before the Quincy school board November 22, 1913, Mrs. Foreman was unanimously acquitted arid exhonerated.Her enemies, however, immediately contrived to call an election of school directors and by hook or crook, particularly the latter,—succeeded in electing a board hostile to Mrs. Foreman. The new board premptorily dismissed Mrs. Foreman, without permit-i |ting her a hearing as provided by law. T1 Acting within her legal rights, she berefused to recognize the dismissal.Hut when on the following school day f 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 Dillard was conspicuous. Finally a recall was started against Dillard. It succeeded and one Metzger was elected district attorney. The recall of Dillard was found to be illegal. Meanwhile, however, Dillard had the indictments against Mrs. Foreman and her friends dismissed. As soon as the indictments were dismissed Mrs. Foreman brought suit against as the Quincy school board to recover her salary, as per contract. The case was tried in Judge Aiken’s %court before the usual kind of jury. Of course the jury rendered a verdict against Mrs. Foreman.It has been a long, desperate struggle, and it will require a 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 a successful conclusion.The importance of this struggle of Mrs. Foreman’s is of vital consequence to every school teaoner, as well as every man, woman and cnild in Oregon.It is a fight to establish the right of teachers to entertain independent views on social, economic or religious questions.It is a fight also, to settle the right of public school teachers m tne state of Oregon to legally collect their salaries on contract with school boards.It is furthermore a 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. Therefore, all who can do so are earnestly requested to contribute whatever money they can spare.Send funds to Albert Streiff, room 324 Henr building, Portland, Ore., or directly to Mrs. Flora I. Foreman, 726 Belmont street, Portland, Ore.ar
Newspaper Details
Everett Washington Socialist
Everett, Washington, US
Thu, Mar 11, 1915
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Rosenberg L.
TX, USA 23 Mar 2020
Other Publications Near Everett, Washington
Everett Labor Journal
Everett Northwest Worker
Everett Commonwealth
Everett Washington Socialist
Everett Cooperative News
