The herald., 1897-12-16
WAS 1T THE TRUTHp
Something About a School Board eau
Gus and What Followed

Gus and What Followed
L. T. Hughes will not be made men,
Der OF the board Of education to succeed
the notorious j. F. Adams, resigned, I'M
less he Is elected by the people of the
Seventh ward at the special election to
be called today by the city council for
the purpose of filling the vacancy. Even
then he will hardly be elected until he
can explain to the voters of that ward
certain matters which at present seem to
place him In rather doubtful light be-
fore the public. There is a little story
behind his candidacy for the Office.
Hughes came dangerously near being
elected at Monday nights meeting, and
had 1t not been for the opposition of the
honest minority Of the board would
probably now hold the office, for time
at least. Since then certain facts have
been brought to light which have caused
the members Of the board to question
their wisdom in ever considering him as
a candidate.
Monday afternoon arrangements were
made for caucus of the solid SIX"
Whose scheme 1t was will perhaps never
be known, for the wires were pulled
quietly. and the residence of Director
Bartlett was the place to which they
pulled several Of the members. On that
afternoon Director Poor received a tel
ephone message asking him to come to
Bartlett's house. He went about o'clock
and found President Mathis there The
doctor has since stated that he, too, re-
ceived similar message. and not know
ing what was wanted he went, knowing
nothing OF the presence of others Of the
board. He had not been there long be-
fore Poor came In. Others were expect
ed. but they failed to appear. Soon after
the arrival Of Poor, Candidate Hughes
arrived alone. For a meeting that had
not been previously arranged, 1t was re-
markable that all those who attended It
arrived at about the same time. Once
there, Hughes proceeded to put in his
best ticks to knock out oppo-
sition to his election. il any
existed He produced a petition (the
one that he presented at Monday
nights meeting) and showed what
signatures he had secured. What &C.
ton was taken at the meeting has not
been announced, but 1t Is certain that
Hughes was promised the support of at
least one of the members of the board.
What transpired at the regular meeting
OF the board that night is a matter of
public record, and it is well known how
and why Hughes was not elected.
A sequel to the Bartlett caucus is to
be found in an incident that occurred in
the office Of Director Conrey the next
day. Hughes came to Mr.. Conreys Of
fee to talk over school matters and while
he was there Director Davis called up
Mr.. Conrey by telephone, inviting him
to lunch. Conrey told Davis that
Hughes was there, and suggested that
he come up and meet him. Mr.. Davis
did SO, and in the conversation which
followed Hughes stated that he really
did not want the Office vacated by Adams
and that he had not and would not make
any effort to secure the position. He
had been mentioned by some of his
friends for the place, but he had taken
no active part In the effort to secure his
own election. He referred to the petit
ton and, according to Mr.. Davis state
ment, the latter understood him to say
that he had not seen the petition until
the night before. He also said he was
glad to meet Mr.. Davis, because he was
only acquainted with one member Of the
board, Mr.. Conrey.
This statement was believed by both
Messrs. Conrey and Davis. until the
facts as to the caucus at Bartlett's house
the day before became known, and now
they do not know what to think. They
say that perhaps Hughes can explain the
matter and they hope he will.