The Indianapolis journal., 1896-04-03
SCHEMEO OFTHECLIQUE
ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT MISS BROWN
ING, LIBRARIAN, TONIGHT.
Strangers fin Town-ExpressiOns from
Prominent People ON Miss BrOwn-
ing's Qualifications.

1t was rumored last night that the clique
which controls the School Board has been
laying deep and quiet plans to defeat the re-
election of Miss Browning to the position of
city librarian. This element. 1t Is said, will
undertake to defeat Miss Browning's re-
election at the board meeting tonight by
putting up other candidates at the last min
ute. 1t is known that several men from
other cities have arrived here in the last
twenty hours, and that all of these importa-
tions are after Miss Browning's place. One
of the candidates is Thomas Harrison, of
Providence. Another is John F. Davis. of
Butte, Mont. 1t is understood that this can
didate from the cowboy district is popular
with the majority. There is no explanation
for this combined opposition to Miss Brown
ing. The minority members of the board
have been kept in Ignorance of this concert
cd movement, and have been led to believe
that Miss Browning would be elected by a
unanimous vote This treachery on the part
or the clique is Indignantly denounced by
people who have long known the present
librarian and who are familiar with her effi-
cient work of the past. Why any member
of the School Board should desire to remove
Miss Browning and install in her place a
man who knows practically nothing about
the city or its needs is not easily understood
by them.
oust Miss Browning were discovered last
night ii was too late TO attempt to get ex-
tensive opinions on the subject, but several
prominent men were reached by telephone.
All agree in the statement that Miss Brown
ing should be retained. and no little indig-
nation is felt that an attempt is being made
to elect her successor in an underhand way,
without due deliberation and careful consid-
Grafton of the question.
Mayor Taggart strongly opposes the propo-
sltion to supplant Miss Browning. He says
that he believes her to be thoroughly COM
petent, and that he should suppose that eff
fciency would be the only question consid-
cred in discussing the subject. Il have
woman, thoroughly capable and entirely sat-
isfactory in every respect know of no one in
this city competent to take her place, and
should consider it inadvisable to make a
change. OF course those who are personally
acquainted with the inside workings of the
library may be more competent to. judge. than
think that no change ought to be made
George G. Tanner said that he thought Miss
Browning the best person to fill the place
that could be found she is thoroughly
service than any other person would render.
even If paid higher salary than she re-
ceives. l should very much dislike to see
is made. a higher salary win have to be paid
and less efficient service will be rendered
Mr.; M. B. Wilson says that he ls not per-
qualifications, but, that from what he knows
of her by reputation. he would consider II
ill-advised to make change.
Rev. N. A. Hyde was very much surprised
am astonished." said he. II consider Miss
Browning a person of unusual qualifications.
She seems to have a wonderful knowledge of
patron of the library who has occasion to
seek information upon any particular subject
have been astonished at her knowledge
much larger than one would believe possi-
ble."