The herald., 1897-12-11
Sent Webb a Notice to Pay
Savage
ANOTHER CONFERENCE SHOWN
WRANoLINa WAS THE ORDER OF
LAST NIGHTS SESSION
Rumors That Are Not Presented Are
to Be Considered Untrue-Ad-
journed Until Tuesday

journed Until Tuesday
In addition to important corrobora-
tive evidence in support Of the testimony
of G. H. Axtell the prosecution In the
investigation Of the school board scandal
last night developed the fact that Webb
and Axtell had held long conference In
the basement of the Spring street school
Just prior to Axtell's going before the
grand jury. Whether 1t was the same
day Of his going to that body with his
tale Of corruption is not known yet, but
that will be brought out later. The cor
roboration was to the statement made
by Axtell that he had sent note to Webb
demanding that he attend to the pay
ment of the two notes held by Frank
Savage at once.
In the course Of the evening 1t was
agreed that II rumors that have been
current were not brought out 1t would
be understood to be an admission that
they are not true, all such rumors hav-
Ing been investigated.
Prof. Phillips. principal of the Sem
tous street school, was the first witness
called. At the beginning Of the session
the attorneys for the defense asked II
Prof. Keppel was present. They said
they wanted to further cross-examine
him on an important matter. He was
not In the hall and a messenger was
sent for him. At the suggestion of Mr..
Gibbon the same messenger was in
structed to notify Janitor Cooper to ap-
pear. Prof. Phillips was then called and
sworn. Questioned by Mr.. Gibbon as
to his having asked Webb for his sup
port in his efforts to get his position
again, the witness said:
NOTHING TO FEAR
Directors Bartlett and Webb came
to my school few days before the end
OF the last school year. They were visit
ing the schools In their official capacity.
met them in the hall and told them /
desired I'd speak with them. Webb said
they were in hurry and would have
to speak quickly. They accompanied me
L
they would take care of me in my po-
sition. Mr.. Bartlett said had nothing
to fear. I do not remember what Webb
said, but he did not promise me my place.
His answer was non-committal. did
not get anything from his remarks that
led me to be assured Of a reelection
The purpose in bringing out this evil
dence was to show that Webb's state
ment that he had promised to support
Phillips and others was not true. Webb
had said at one of the sessions Of the
board that he had promised all Of the
principals who had filed aflidavits, in the
case that he would support them Tor re-
election.
STRONG LANGUAGE USED
The cross-examination was remind
er Of tho first sessions Of the board,
when some Of the attorneys tried by
dint Of irrelevant questions to browbeat
witnesses and frighten or anger them
into telling something that could be
turned to advantage. Attorney Meserve
began almost at Prof. Phillips birth and
made him tell all his life story, and upon
reaching the present he began upon his
church record and religious belief. His
questions became 50 offensive to the
witness that the latter appealed to the
chair, and President Mathis put stop
for time to that manner Of question:
ing.
The attorney then tried to remind the
witness of an alleged meeting with
Webb and Secretary Johnson in the
rooms Of the board Of education, in
which Prof. Phillips is said to have used
profane language in speaking Of Super
intendent Foshay. Meserve used the
language which he had heard that Phil
lips had used. Objection was at once
made by Mr.. Gibbon and several men,
bers Of the board, as su6h language was
offensive to the ladies present. The
defendants attorney stated that 1t was
his intention Of showing that such Ian
guage had been used and that he wanted
to show what kind of man Phillips is.
He regretted having to use such Ian
guage, and stated that If there were per-
sons present who did not like to hear it
1t would be well for them to retire.
President Mathis said that that kind
of language would not be permitted un-
less the matter to be brought out had a
distinct and important bearing on the
case. Then followed a wrangle, the like
Of which had not occurred before during
the investigation. The attorneys for
the defense insisted that that kind of an
examination was their right. and they
to follow 1t with, the boards
consent, but the board did not consent.
The wrangle consumed forty minutes, in
spite Of the efforts Of the members to
proceed. At one time Mr.. Davis appeal
ed to President Mathis to stop it. say
ing that the board would back him up
In anything he did in the matter.
THE GROUND GONE OVER
Following this the defense led the
witness over the Axtell story again and
made him tell all the particulars Of AK
tells having tried to hold him up for O
salary. It was the same Did
story that has been told so often and the
Of 1t consumed more time to no
purpose. The matter that the prosecu-
ton had proved about Webb's not hav-
ing promised Phillips q school was not
upon by the defense.
Then there was few minutes lull and
after being asked few questions to
his former testimony for the
Prof. Phillips was excused.
Attorney Meserve then. asked that all
persons who were employed in the
school department be summoned as wit
nesses. This started another argument,
which continued for quite while and
was ended by some member Of the board
entering objection.
Raymond Bernard, an employe Of the
schools under Axteil, was called by the