The daily gazette., 1878-05-07
SECOND EDITION
The School Board.
MEETING AND oRGANIzATIoN-HEN
ECkEL ELECTED PREsIDENT-THE
STATUS OF BLANK vsTE-A
CONTEST IN THE NINTH

Coi. helsler moved that committee
ON credentials be appointed, and the
motion prevailing, the char appointed
NJ essrs. HeisleI, Baird and Davidson as
tie committee.
The following communicate on from
Henry 7. Grubb, one of the candidates
for the Board from the Ninth Ward, was
read by the SECRETARY.
The petition of Henry p. Grubb hum
bly, sets forth: That at the election he ld
for mem bers of the Board of Education
for the city of Wilmington, on Saturday
last, Martin Farrell and your petitioner
were candidates for mem bership in the
s.ld Ioard from the Ninth Ward Of said
city
That an improper and undue return
has been mvde to your body of the said
eieetion, and our petitioner verify be-
lieveS that upwards OF forty illegal votes
were received and improperly counted
by the officers of said election, and SO
returned by them TO your body.
Yeur petitioner therefore, is fully con-
WINGED that If said forty or more votes
are properly rejected your petitioner is
legally elected and entitled to the seat
awarded by the election officers TO Mar
tin Farrell. Your petitioner the refore
prays your honorable body to postpone
any determination on the return of the
Martie Farrell for such reasonable pe-
Rod as Will enable you to brlng forward
such proofs respecting the premises, as
the NATURE OF his case may require.
HENRY p. GRUBB.
Sworn to and subscri bed before
WIN. IL. BRADY, j. p.
The communication was referred to
the committee on credentials, who re-
tired.
After halfhour's absence, the COM
M rot a.
entails of the mem bers-elect as published
In yesterda = GAZETTE. In regard to
the Ninth Ward contest the committee
recommended that the papers be referred
to special committee.
On Col. HelslerS motion the report
was accepted, and then he moved that
the mem sers-elect from all the Wards,
except the Ninth be swtE in.
Mr.. johnson msved to amend by in
Guiding the member-elect from the Ninth
Ward.
Mr.. Baird said it was customary when
the certificates of members-electEare in
order, TO swear them in and refer the
contest TO committee.
The chair ( Mr. Ferris) said he recol-
lected one case where this action was
takeL and another where all action
was deferred until the next week.
Col. Heisler said his only object was
to have The other new members sworn
in so as to obtain their opinions of the
case.
Mr.. johnson thought the Board had
no right to refuse to qualify Mr.. Far>
rell.
Mr.. Lally said that Mr. .Farrell's cred
entails being regular he had primd
Jacte right to be sworn in with the
otner members elect.
Mr.. Heisler then accepted Mr.. John
sons amendment, the motion was adopt
ed, and the members-elect were qualified
by MIR. Ferris.
MIR. johnson moved that the Board
proceed TO the nomi nation and election
of President, and the motion prevailing
he nominated Charles Baird. Mr.. Ruth
nominated Henry Eckel.
Messrs. Pyle and Lally were appoint
ed tellers, anu announced the following
as the result of the ballot:
For Henry Eckel, 10 votes.
For Charles Baird, . votes.
Aud one blank ballot.
The chair, with much deliberation, de-
clared Mr. Eckel elected.
Mr.. johnson inquired if majority of
all the votes cast was not necessary to an
election.
Mr.. Heisler said that a blank ballot
counted nothing.
The chair soincided with this view
and mentioned a case in which he was
Interested, where a similar ruling had
been given.
Mr.. Baird said it was his opinion that
speaking, blank was no
vote at all.
DIR. Grlmshaw said that In his opinion
there had been but 10 votes cast of
which MIR. Eckel received IL and Mr..
Baird 9.
The chair said that was his opinion,
but hoped some member would appeal.
MIR. Jot nson appealed.
Col. Grlmshaw maintained that no
member had right to appeal. The
chair was not deciding any question, but
was simply announcing the result of a
ballot.
Mr.. johnson then withdrew the ap-
peal
Mr.. Eckel then assumed the chair
and said:
GENTLEMEN OF THE BoARD:-It is, in
deed, an honor to be called upon to fill
position onca occupied by the lamented
and revered Judge Hall the father of the
Public School system of the State of Del
aware. But we sometimes mistake hon
ors, especially when they are clothed in
the garb of compliment, and are really
posltions accompanied by great ankle
Ties and large personal responsibilities.
Such position is tho one the duties of
which you have called upon one to per-
form, aud this evidence of your esteem,
/ instead of being solely an honor, is a
masslng upon my shoulders of grave per-
sonal and official responsibilities. 1t Is
only an honor 80 far as it shall reflect
honor on you, and if the incum bent fails
to reflect honor upon you, then you have
failed in the performance Of your duty
aud will be unworthy of the trust re-
posed i'll me.
shall strive to be honest and Just
In every duty. l snail try to make for
myself work that shall have beneficial
effect upon our school system. l shall
make 1t a point to visit The schools ell
Courage the scholars and teachers, and
endeavor TO throw such an intere In
the public mind as shall awaken live
ly and earnest desire for the welfare OF
the public schools among our citizens.
In the performance of my duties |
SHALL expect your cooperation and ad-
vice; without it l shall be able to do no
thing. l ask you to visit the schools and
and endeavor to induce the parents Of
the scholars to do so. l have found that
IEaau