Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-11-12

new are best served by sticking to the constitution. l may here mention that these objections so strenuously urged against MT O'Keefe might have been brought against one of the candidates warmly supported by the other party. But he belonged to another faith than that to which MT O'Keefe, it seems ,clings. What weight this had in that gentle mans mind. do not pretend to say.
 To the third objection we replied. We concede that the failure of the Lynn board of education to reappoint MT O'Keefe, does indeed create strong presumption against him. But it is only presumption. Justice demands that we should not consider that act as final; that the candidate with whom we were so favorably impressed. should be heard in his own defence. If then, all things being considered, he cannot ex- plain this matter so as remove the pre- sumptions against him, he cannot be our candidate.
 MT O'Keefe was heard, and in our opinion removed every vestige him. He gave us testimonials from almost everyone connected with the schools of Lynn. The superintendent under whom he served for eleven years; the teachers with whom he taught; those under his charge; nine tenths of the members of the board, many Protes- tant clergymen, men in public offices, newspaper editors, business men, wrote and spoke most favorably of MT O'Keefe. Only one dissenting voice was heard, and that was not very un- favorable; it was the voice of the chair man of the board, Dr Pinkham. He stated that Mir O'Keefe was dropped for just reasons; but added q believe he | will correct elsewhere the defects for which he was discharged" And even this man paid Mir O'Keefe high tri- bute of praise. All this, however, failed to satisfy the opponents of MT parently possible, the republican mem- bers tabled the matter for another board, thus virtually throwing the question | into the arena of politics.
 The election came How far this question entered as a factor into the contest do not know. This do know, that very many spoke of it, and that the gentleman who could not make up his mind, as to his course of action was ex- cused from further consideration of it, and that the school board was the only department of public service which re- tained democratic majority.
 The members of the old board who sustained MT O'Keefe, found themselves in the majority on the new board. It would seem that the voice of the people directed the course which they should follow.
 Our action was not aggressive, but conciliatory in the extreme. To the op- ponents of MT O'Keefe we said: ''We are in the majority; we can elect the man, | who in our judgement is best qualified for the position, and yet, while we know | that you would not concede to us this courtesy, we will still hesitate lest we 1 may err. We suggest to you that the t wo new members of the board go to Lynn | investigate the matter on the spot, and | if they report unfavorably, we will seek another candidate. If, how ever, on the | contrary, they should find all things l favorable, we think you should accept him. At least, we cannot conscientious iy refuse to him our suffrages." Messrs l Pierce, Grelle and Hayes went, investi- gated and brought back reports which left us no honorable alternative. All l were pleased with what they learned. l MT Pierce thought he saw in the strong individuality of MT O'Keefe the cause of the strained relations which resulted in his dismissal, and he was not'without some fears for his future here. There fore, he could not vote for him. But he candidly stated that, precluding the irritated state of public sentiment, with which he said he may not be in sympathy he would most gladly vote for MT O'Keefe. MT Grelle said that ! whilst he expected to hear much in favor of MT O'Keefe, he was completely surprised by the unanimity of good will, and the strong personal attachment to
 Mir O'Keefe. And here let me add, that
 these gentlemen did not approach a single Catholic in the city of Lynn dur ing their visit. This report left the democratic members no other al
 formative than that of voting for thiscan-
 didate. We felt that if ever a candidate for public office, were greatly entitled tC Appointment MT O'keefe was entitled tC
 this. To invite candidates, put them tc
 the expense of coming here and ignore
 their claims is an injustice of which we
 would not be guilty. Hence, at the
 votes, thus closing chapter
 in the history of our schools to the perusal of whose pages we fearlessly
 invite every fair-minded citizen of
 our community or our commonwealth | Here I wished to conclude this little
 sketch, not wishing to utter a word pre-
 judicial in the slightest to any of the
 rejected candidates. I have purposely
 confined myself to the merits of MI IOKeefe, and to the refutation of the
 arguments adduced against him. Now
 1 cannot in justice to my friends on the
 democratic side avoid making an excep.
 tion to this course in the case of MI
 Hovey. The petition which appears ir
 this mornings Republican demands this
 The petition deserves respectful consid
 eration, but as the privilege of considering
 it was denied us at the meeting I beg
 leave to speak of it here.
 will not pause to ask ii , such petitions fairly represent the view of the signers; many sign to oblige , fair petitioner, and many do so to ge rid of her; others sign upon one sided representation of the case, and are there fore unfairly misrepresented. I vii also pass over that other question, ser , ious though it be, as to whether this il
 the best manner to forward the interest , of education. Many grave men thinl that it introduces a principle whicl , necessarily tends sooner or later to worl ? prejudice to this cause, so dear to all O I us. Let me give the history of the peti , , tion in question. MT Webster presented ! the petition and spoke on it. Dr Have