The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-04
CLIQUE'S HIGH HAND
REMOVES LIBRARIAN BROWNING IN
FACE OF PUBLIC SENTIMENT.
"Amiables Mr. Harrison, OF Provi-
dence. r.. L.. Elected-Commis-
sion Loeper shows His Teeth.

The controlling clique in the Indianapolis
advantage than it did last night. 1t was the
cherished scheme of the clique to Gust Miss
Eliza G. Browning from the position of city
Librarian and the work was done with the
precision of the weil-oiled machine. Miss
Brownings reelection was defeated by the
vote of the majority. augmented by the ballot
OF Commissioner Vonnegut. who has lately
allied himself with the clique. Miss
Browning's successor is Joseph L. Harrison.
OF Providence, r. l., whose "amiability''
appears to be one of his strong recommends
tons. In the election of librarian it was
plainly seen from the start that the majority
was determined to defeat Miss Browning. So
strong was the opposition on the part of
some OF the members. that when one OF the
commissioners suggested that the election OF
the librarian be postponed for a week there
were murmurs of disapproval even before
the motion had been fairly put. This sugges-
ton came from Commissioner Roth, who is
known to be majority man" from start
to finish.
Don't you Think" said the commissioner.
lin view of the attitude of the newspapers
this morning that the selection Of a libra
rian should be put of for a week, at least?
We don't want to hurry this thing
through
I'VE have rule on this question:" said
Mr.. Russo. interrupting, land I'd like to
know If We have right to set it aside"
President Martindale decided the point
and held that the rules Of the board pro-
vided for the election Of librarian and the
election must be held. The board then
proceeded to ballot Aside from the present
incumbent of the office. Joseph L. Harrison
was the only candidate, the cowboy ap-
plicant from Montana having evidently
withdrawn from the race early in the day
and started for the plains. In accordance
with the rules OF the board the successful
candidate must receive the votes of ma
jority Of the board. This would require
six ballots to elect. The ballots were put
into hat and counted out by Commission
ers Blackledge and Vonnegut. 1t was un-
derstood early in the session that Commits
sioner Calvin was determined to vote for
Miss Browning's retention Notwithstanding
the reports to the contrary. The result
proved that he had stood true to the mi
nority. Miss Browning received three votes
and her opponent six. The three commits
sioners who voted for her were Messrs.
Blackledge, Hendrickson and Calvin. Those
commissioners who placed themselves on
record as being opposed to her were
Messrs. Martindale. vonnegut. Russo.
Adam, Loeper and Roth. Miss Browning.
with her friend. Miss Emma Ahrens. ex-
State Librarian, were in the room when
the ballots were cast.
ANIMUS OF LOEPER'S OPPOSITION.
The members Of the minority were not
surprised at the result of the vote, al
though they were at a loss to understand
just why Commissioner Vonnegut de-
serted them. There is no secret as to the
cause Of Commissioner Loeper's opposition
to Miss Browning That gentleman's ami
mus was stirred up several months ago
and since then he has made no attempt to
disguise his feeling on the librarian ques-
ton. Mr.. Loeper's daughter has long been
employed in the library and on one or two
occasions during the last years the librarian
has not seen At to recommend her reap
pointment. However, Miss Loeper has been
retained by the board and is still an en-
ploye of the library. With Mr. Loeper 1t
was family affair. Why the other men,
bers of the majority opposed Miss Brown
ing can only be surmised.
Commissioner Roth. Immediately after the
defeat of Miss Browning, apparently, be-
came stricken be rose up IN MS
act 1t did not meet the approval OF some
of the other members. but it finally OBJ
tanned.
Il think there should be an extension of
time in the matter" said Mr.. Roth. land
am of the opinion that Miss Browning should
ONCE. move that the time of vacating the
Office be extended to next August Under
the rules Of the board Miss Browning should
go out Tomorrow, but am In favor OF Civ
ing her four months"
President Martindale did not think the
motion could be entertained. and ii was
commissioner recommended that the new IL
brarian be given a leave of absence, and
that Miss Browning be appointed to the
Il am opposed to this" spoke up Com
missioner Blackledge. There are a good
many things about this business that do
do understand. 1t has been easy to read
between the lines: But just why Miss
ib,o snouId oe asked 70 commune ,d IN
there is such an urgent need Of a change. 1
confess I do not understand" Commissioner
Blackledge was not alone in his ignorance
The president put the amended motion and
here again did Commissioned Loeper show
the motion to retain Miss Browning for four
months. With the exception Of Loeper, the
vote OF the board was unanimous
PROPOSED NEW SALARY.
At this point the majority came forward
with a new move. Commissioner vonnegut
submitted motion to raise the salary of the
new librarian to 5000 year. Miss Brown
ing has been receiving 81 800. Commissioner
Blackledge was opposed to advancing the sal
ary at this time. He said there was as
surance that Mr.. Harrison would accept the
Office to which he had been elected, and until
this was positively known the commissioner
did not think the salary should be changed.
Mr.. Hendrickson also objected to the raise at
this time. Mr.. Vonnegut, in replying was
guilty or a most uncharitable and uncalled
for thrust at the present librarian.
THE commissioner should understand he
remarked, addressing Mr., Blackledge, that
Ii would be impossible TO secure a librarian
who would meet the wants OF this board at
negut expressed willingness TO withdraw
his motion, and did The matter OF in
creasing the librarians salary will be con-
sidered al later day. Mr.. Vonnegut then
presented this motion: Moved TO amend Sec
ton IS. Article 8, OF the rules by adding the
following: The board, on the Recommended
ton Of the library committee, shall fix the
number. grade and pay of the subordinate
officers and attendants I'm the library, but the
librarian shall have the right to make all APP
pointments thereto, and shall have power 10
remove any OF such subordinate offlcers or
attendants at any time" The motion was
laid over for week Members OF the board
say that Miss Browning has for long time
been anxious 10 have this section amended.
Mr.. Vonnegut, after stating some of the
new librarians qualifications to the board
produced a number Of letters recommending
Mr. Harrison to the people of INDIANAPOLIS
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