The herald., 1897-12-09
SURPRISE UP THEIR SLEEVES

| statement of the agreement with Webb
and Adams as to what he was to tell that
body. His statements did not altogether
agree with what Adams had said when
he was on the stand, but the latter was
evidently paying so much attention to
the efforts to shield himself that he neg
lected to give a number of important
details.
MORE HELP FOR WEBB
! Director Braly. who is Ill at his homo,
and Director Bartlett, who is still out
of the city. were the only members OF the
board who were not present when Presi-
dent Mathis called the session to order
last night. Immediately after roll call
Attorney oliver introduced Attorney
Edwin A. Meserve as associate counsel
In Webb's defense. Mr.. Meserve. in ex-
planning his appearance In the case, said:
1T may not be necessary for me to make
any statement as to why I am here 1t
is sufficient that Mr. Webb is here on
trial upon charges before this board,
which Is not a quasi judicial body. en-
gagged in the investigation Of those
charges. l met Mr.. Webb this after
noon and he informed me that he de-
sired me to represent him In this case.
/ may say here that 1 shall assist in
his defense, both here and in the case
which Is to be tried In the court house.
1t is not the indictment that has been
returned against him in the court house
that worries Mr.. Webb. He will ans
wer that In due time. and when that
time comes he will not take refuge be-
hind the rule which places the burden
OF proof upon the prosecution. He will
go into the case determined to bring
out all the facts.
What worries Mr.. Webb Is the fact
that the people have indicted him, and
1t Is on that indictment that this In
vestigation Is being had. This investi-
CATION has been going on quietly for
several months. and 1t has been sifted
down to charge of receiving 500 from
tanitor. The defendant Is q young
man and he is here charged with worse
than crfme-the blackmailing Of poor
1anttor out Of his wages, with having de-
manded of teachers q portion Of their
salaries. and they get little enough; with
having stood up contractors and mer-
chants and any number of other per-
sons"
The attorney. continuing, stated that
Mr.. Webb demanded that the investiga-
tion be continued until the end is
reached, and that the whole truth be
insisted upon. He demanded that every
teacher. 5anitor ana other employe Of
the school department be summoned
ana made to state on oath whether they
had paid Webb any money. He said
that Webb was fighting to save his
reputation, and in such an effort time
was not to be considered. It was due
Webb to continue this long enough to
either clear him or convict him.
When we get through" said Mr.. Me-
serve, you will find that the only EVIL
dence against this man will be the un-
supported evidence of two self.con-
fessed perjurers"
He stated positively that these two
per5urers would certainly be indicted
and would be placed where they belong
behind the bars Of a state prison.
Judge Phillips opposed the plan 10
bring all principals, teachers and other
employees as witnesses before tho inves-
tigation. He compared It to the brook
that goes on forever" He asserted thnt
to bring 500 teachers to testify as 10
whether they had paid money to Webb
was out of the question. He suggested
tnat II would be proper to have all those
whose names had been mentioned
brought before the board as witnesses.
Mr. G!bbon stated that after the mat
ter now being inquired into had been
disposed OF there would be no objection
to Mr. Webb's having all the witnesses
he desired. II he considered that there
was suspicion OF other matters direct
ed against him. II am not here repre-
senting rumors. This trial Is being con-
Quoted on clear-cut charge the Ian
guage Of which cannot be misunder-
stood. The manner Of conducting the
investigation that has been suggested
would defeat its very object and would
cause the proceeding to be hissed be-
cause Of our inability to reach a con-
clusion. I have received two anopy-
nous letters, but have never connected
Mr.. Webbs name in any way with those
letters. I want to say here. and I want
to be understood, that have now no in
formation that Webb has personally
approached any teacher or Janitor. I
have never dealt In rumors, nor do
intend to-"
Attorney oliver began a response, but
Mr.. Conrey interposed an objection. say
ing there had been an unnecessary waste
Of time. The matter Of witnesses could
be settled later Axtell was then called.
Before taking his seat he said:
AxTELL ON THE STAND
II desire to make an explanation. Last
night I said believed Mr.. johnson, the
secretary Of the board, was present when
Mr.. Webb and were talking about what
was to testify to before the grand jury.
I am now certain that was mistaken.
and I know that Mr.. johnson was not
there at that time"
The cross-examination Of Axtell was
then resumed by Attorney oliver. Dur
ing some Of the numerous preliminary
questions the attorney Inadvertently
called Axtell "Mr. Adams"
my name Is not Adams, thank God"
said Axtell quickly. This was sur
prise and he was asked to explain. He
did so by saying that he had never been
very friendly with Adams nor had much
to do with him. He would not tell why.
Soon after the manner of the attorney
in examining the witness and the tenor
of some of the questions caused Messrs.
Davis and Conrey to object. when Mr..
Oliver said:
"It is not my intention to browbeat
the witness, but when believe. as do,
that q witness Is perjuring himself,
think I am at liberty to ask what /
please"
I'M ~Y>rf~ = N~~ -