The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-21
PREFERRED TIE CONTRACT.
august NJ. Kuhn Tenders His Resigna-
ton as 4 School Commissioner.
lie Relinquishes the Office in Order to Hold q
Contract Otherwise illegal--IIis Accusa-
tions Against Treasurer Frenzel

The School Board. at its regular meeting last
evening, departed somewhat from the usual
monotony of its routine work. The committee
on buildings and grounds, in its report, recon-
menaed that. owing to the low state of the treas
ury fund, s'as the present building can be made
to accommodate the increase, no addition be
] built to No. 16" The report was accepted.
A petition from the board of managers of the
Home for coiored children. requesting the assist
ance of the school, Board in the construction OF
an additional school building to accommodate
the inmates of that institution, was referred to
the committee on buildings and grounds. The
estimated cost of the building is So, 400, and the
board is asked to bear half the expense
Up to this point the business had been trans
acted without friction, but the tranquility was
broken by Mr. j. P. Frenzel, who called in
question the action of the board at its last meet
Ane in contracting with Mr.. Kuhn to furnish
coal for the coming year, and declared it to be
illegal as it was violation of the statutes to
contract with any member OF the board
90 furnish supplies In order that
the board might be informed as to
the real nature of the matter, Mr.. Frenzel
moved that the committee on supplies be in
structed to see the legal adviser of of the board
and report his decision at the next meeting
Mr.. Kuhn took this in the light of a personal
thrust. which he resented by stating that many
school supplies had been purchased from
coald not understand why the objection
was now made for the first time. AS he re-
viewed the situation he became m0reand more
excited, and indulging in little personal re-
Election, he accused Mr.. Frerzel, treasurer OF
the board, of not cashing orders for period of
three weeks after first presented, and using the
money for other purposes
Mr. Frenzel stated that his motion implied no
AZ 80 - - - -
was that the board skgAld regulate its action
according to law.
Mr. Baker explained that Mr. Kuhn was not
present when the contract was awarded; that he
voted for it, but thought that the board had vio-
lated the statute, and was anxious to have che
matter referred to the boards attorney.
Dir. Bingham was surprised at his
not having thought of the statute
before, for. he was quite sure
that there was such provision, as he looked the
matter up on former occasion Another mem
Der called for the written law upon the subject,
as mere assertion would not hold in this case.
Mr.. Bamberger threw upon Mr. Kuhn the re-
sponsibility of releasing the board from further
Embarrassment in the matter. MIR. Kuhn inter-
preting this as an invitation for him
to sever his connection with the board,
handed his resignation to the secretary With the
explanation that he could not let his position as
sznember of the board injure his private business
or that of his partners His resignation was re.
jected by unanimous vote but he refused to
Withdraw IL.
Mr.. Bingham, by this time, had produced a
copy of the statutes. and read the one relating
no the subject under discussion, which was very
explicit in its provisions, making it criminal
pffense for a member Of any public board
10 contract for furnishing supplies for
fhe institution which he serves.
Mr.. Bingham further stated that while he did
mot wish to see Mr.. Kuhn resign, it was the only
possible way out of the difficulty, unless he re-
Heased the contract. The situation was made
of the coal having been delivered.
The matter was finally referred TO the attorney
of the board and his opinion will be reported at
IA called meeting next Monday night
Mr.. Kline was appointed to succeed Mr.. Kuhn
as chairman of the committee on heating. VEN
Ailating and janitors. ~