The herald., 1897-12-01
Another Conspirator Caves
Down the Bank
AND TESTIFIES AGAINST WEBB
DENOUNCED AS THE GREATEST
LIAR ON EARTH
Judge Murphy's Pyrotechnic Remarks
az, and Judge Phillips Defense
of the Schools

Walter L. Webb, the member of the
hoard of education from the Ninth ward
stands twice accused. Director Adams
Of the school board, against whom sc
many serious charges have been made
since the scandal in that body was
brought to the attention of the public
made q confession last night in which he
practically admitted all that had been
charged against him. In his own de-
tense, however, he asserted under oath
that he had been but the tool of Webb.
He is the second man who has made such
charges, for Axtell swore to much the
same statements Monday night.
The burden of proof has shifted and
instead of being one of the ostensible
searchers after the whole truth in the
matter Webb has been compelled to as
sumo the attitude of defendant He
has demanded that specific charges be
preferred against him. He has denied
his guilt, not under oath. however, and
has asserted that he is the victim of a
conspiracy Matched by Axtell and Adams
to clear themselves. His invitation that
he be prosecuted has been accepted and
next Monday night he will be placed on
trial before the board on charges the
exact nature of which is not known at
present except as they have been outlined
in the confessions of Axtell and Adams.
In the meantime Webb has asked that
the public reserve its opinion as to his
guilt and has claimed his ability to prove
that he is innocent. Instead Of stop
ping with the cases Of AXtell and Adams
the investigation seems to have but be-
gun, and as compared with the cases In
which a conclusion has been reached,
that which is to follow eclipses them
until they become comparatively in
significant.
That the board intends to get all of
truth there is behind the scandal is
indicated by it's action last night in
pledging itself to protect in their
positions all teachers or other employees
who may appear and testify, regardless
of what they tell or whom it hurts. Force
is added to this pledge when it is con-
sidered that Adams is now practically
out of consideration in the investigation.
He has all but resigned, and if he does
not actually tender his resignation he
can probably be relied upon to keep in
the background and say nothing. The
majority, with Adams out of it. is now
known to be composed of the honest ele-
ment and the disnterested portion who
want to know the truth.
Developments of a most startling ma
ture may be expected, for the prosecu-
tion is in possession of certain facts that
are even blacker than the many that
have been brought out. This informa-
tion Is at present in such shape that it
can not be presented without verifica-
tion, and without absolute proof of its
correctness it will not be made public.
There are also numerous rumors, and
whisperings that are more than rumors,
that must be run down and in some of
them something is certain to be discov-
cred that will throw additional light up
on the scandal. Just whom these matters
implicate and the extent of that impli-
cation Is being closely guarded by the
prosecution. This is as much be-
cause Of desire to be fair
to the defendants and not ac-
cuse upon flimsy tales and weak state
ments as it is to prevent the persons in
volved from thwarting the very pur-
pose of the investigation.
Last nights session of the investiga-
ton was by far the most important that