davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1897-11-30
WEBB SMOKED FROM HIS HOLE

of the crowd. Every point made BY the
prosecution was applauded, 30 much so
that the proceedings were frequently
interrupted. Desiring to expedite mat
ters, Director Poor stated that the facts
would be brought out much better II
the spectators remained quiet. That did
not prevent the applause, for 1t was
manifest that the crowd was with the
prosecution. Lovers Of the sensational
were not disappointed.
WEBB'S GAG RESOLUTION.
The meeting opened with a surprise
AS soon as President Mathis called the
session to order Director Webb claimed
the floor and was recognized. He said:
When the board of education gave the
League for Better City Government the
privilege of conducting this investiga-
tion it was understood that the board
was to have control. The board was
to summon all witnesses and conduct the
examination of them. have been re-
liably informed that the prosecution In
this matter, the representatives of the
league, have been summoning teachers
and employees of the schools to their
offices, in an effort to secure additional
CHdI SeS dSdIHct OtueT INeNlDeTS OI IulS
board. This is neither right nor fair.
These star chamber sessions are not
right. If these sessions are to be con-
tinued I want to know 1t and the board
wants to know 1t. We want all the facts
brought out. but we want them brought
out In the right way"
Mr.. Gibbon at once denied that he had
seen more than one employe Of the board
at his office, and had not asked that any
others be sent there. Mr.. Conrey stated
that he had been undertaking to get
such information as would elicit infor-
nation as to the whole of the scandal.
Director Davis, one of those who has
had much to do with the prosecution,
then said:
II don't know why the gentleman Is
afraid of bringing out all the facts by
asking people questions at any place
(Applause.) I am sworn officer of the
city. 1t is my duty to bring out the facts,
and that I shall do. There have been
efforts made to keep facts out of this
Investigation. Irrespective of the board
Of education or any member Of it, shall
continue as have begun"
IF he says 1 have tried to suppress
facts, he says what is not true. am not
afraid of any charges whatever" re-
torted Webb.
The herald., 1897-11-30
% THE FIRST SURPRISE
Webb Makes Move But Is Cleverlv
Checkmated

The attendance was so large that the
capacity of the council chamber was
wholly inadequate to accommodate the
crowd. Impelled by curiosity as to what
the proceedings of the session would de-
velop and expecting something sensa-
tional, the crowd began to arrive early.
Before o'clock both the lower lobby of
the council chamber and the gallery
above were filled with people. Before the
time for opening the session arrived both
places were crowded. More were stand
ing than could find seats and hundreds
left the building rather than endure the
ordeal of standing in the close hot
room. Within the railing there We're
nearly one hundred persons. Among
them were large number of city Off
cials, including Mayor Snyder and nearly
all the members of the city council. There
was large number of ladies in the au
dience and also score or more of school
teachers.
There was no doubt as to the sentiment
The herald., 1897-11-30

the usual oath and Mr.. Gibbon began
with the preliminary questions of the
examination.
Brother" Pitman had come to the
meeting prepared He produced q
bundle of typewriter manuscript and
said he had written his statement, which
he proceeded to read. 1t was in the form
of an affidavit, duly signed and sworn
to. 1t is as follows:
In the early part of May, 1897, I was
getting ready for a trip to Iowa to be
gone about six weeks, and before left
Mr.. Cooper, who resided within one door
OF my home on Trenton street, came to
me and asked what steps he had better
take to secure his position as janitor for
another year. Mr.. Cooper was q men,
Der of my church and man whom had
often befriended. He is poor man, de-
pendent for the support of his family
upon his wages as janitor, and the con-
sequences to him and his family Of the
loss of his position would have been very
serious indeed. I told Mr.. Cooper that
I would be glad to render him any as
sistance in my power, but that had no
influence with the controlling members
of the present board of education, and
that it would do him no good for me to
see them. 1 told him to get certificate
from Mr.. Phillips, the principal of the
school, as to the character Of his work,
etc, and to see the Janitors' committee,
and also to see Mr.. Axtell, the superin-
tendent of buildings and get recon-
mendation from him.
FELT SORRY FOR HIM
A few days after this I went east to
Iowa, and did not return until about the
18th of June; and the next that heard
about the Cooper matter was after my
return, when Mr.. Cooper came to me and
told me he was afraid he was going to
lose his place. I asked him why, and he
told me that he had had conversation
with Mr. Axtell, in which he had been
informed that 1t would cost him one
months salary. or $65, to secure re-elec-
ton to his former position as janitOr,
and that he had been told 1t was the only
thing for him to do. felt sorry for him,
and so expressed myself, and told him to
wait and I would see what Il could do.
On the following Sunday, in coming out
of church, I called to Mr.. Axtell and
told him that, in my opinion, this scheme
to rob Cooper was outrageous, and
expressed my sympathy for Mr.. Cooper
in very strong language; but Mr.. Axtell
emphatically informed me that things
were in such shape that the parties hav-
ing influence to reappoint required a
payment of $65, or Cooper would not re-
ceive the appointment. He said that
there were men who were willing to pay
500 for Cooper's place. This CONVERSE
tion took place just after we had left the
church door, and continued during o
walk Of probably 100 feet, and until we
The herald., 1897-11-30
adams, had said Webb was runni
the board Of educstion."
A PNPPNRY WITNNes


A PEPPERY WITNESS
Asked why he wanted I guarantee for
his money. Keppel asserted that that
was but part Of . plan to learn who was
really behind the scheme to rob the
teachers, superintendent Foshay here
came In for some severe comment be-
cause It was proved that the facts had
been laid before him in June. and he took
no action.
An almost literal scrap resulted from
the efforts OF the attorney to draw out
Keppel's opinions as to who besides were
implicated In the steal. The witness re-
fused to answer the question and Judge
Murphy began q scathing denunciation
Of his manner. which Keppel resented
and returned in kind. A sharp inter-
change of anything but complimentary
charges ensued, when MT. Poor, in the
interest of harmony and to prevent
waste Of time, interposed an objection
which resulted In less aggressive meth
DDS by counsel.
While Keppel admitted that he sus-
pected other members OF the board be-
sides Adams, he would not state who
they were. saying that he would not.
on mere opinion without substantial
ing facts, voice an opinion which might
injure an innocent man.
The herald., 1897-11-30
GAVE HIM THE BOUNCE
Axtell Fires His Attorney and an In
terestine Incident Results


AS soon as Judge Murphy concluded
his examination he turned Keppel over
to Attorney Frank Davis for further
questioning. The latter asked ques-
ton. but instead Of answering 1t the
witness said:
Excuse me. sir; whom do you rep
resent here?"
That's none of your business. You
answer the question. That is what you
are here for" was the attorneys retort.
The bluff didn't work at all, for Keppel
at once demanded:
What are you here for? I want to
know whom you represent. ! demand
to know"
Director Conrey interposed and stated
that he thought the question pertinent
one, and he, too. wanted the same in
formation. After some pickering Mr.
Davis said he represented Axtell. This
seemed to be satisfactory, but there was
another surprise in store for Attorney
Davis.
NEEDED NO ATTORNEY
Axtell had been sitting near the desk
of President Mathis. and he was seen
to speak to the doctor. AS soon as he
The herald., 1897-11-30
SCENE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER

had taken his seat DR.. Mathis gavel fell
and the proceedings stopped at once.
Then DR.. Mathis said to Attorney Davis:
while Keppel was answering question,
Mr.. Axtell wishes me to inform you
that he does not desire to fight this case
further. He does not wish to be rep
resented by counsel, and as his repre-
sentative he does not desire a cross
examination by you of this witness"
That settled it. Attorney Davis was
without a client and therefore without
standing in the investigation. He took
advantage of the occasion, however, to
saw:
The herald., 1897-11-30
PROF. KEPPEL ON THE STAND

PROF. KEPPEL ON THE STAND
If the assertion made by Judge Phil
lips, to the effect that attorneys for the
defense were trying to intimidate wit
nesses so as to prevent the appearance
of others, is true, their attempt upon
Professor Mark Keppel signally failed.
He was about as pugnacious a witness
under cross examination as could be
found. His story of Friday night was
most damaging to Adams, and it be-
hooved the latter's attorney to break it
down if possible, so after brief direct
examination Judge Murphy tackled
him. Then there was fun. Prof. Kep-
The herald., 1897-11-30

1T was my desire to bring out certain
facts in this matter which In my opin-
Ion would greatly help his case. There
are certain matters, now dark, the
clearing of which are due to him and his
family His wishes in the matter, of
course, settle it,
Attorney Davis knew in advance just
what was coming. Before the incident
referred to he was called out Of the room
and was told by Axtell just what he
(AxtelD desired to be done.
He was also told second time that
The herald., 1897-11-30

pei went over the story again, inch by
inch, and almost his first statement was
center shot. He said when he went to
ADAMS at AXtells suggestion he was
toia by Adams that it was unfortunate
that he was in Mr. Braly's ward "as all
the positions in the wards of Mr.. Braly
ana MI Davis were to he used as spoils."
you knew that Adams alone had no
power to discharge you?"
es' but l also knew that Adams was
member of the solid six,' and he
The herald., 1897-11-30

Axtsll lad oonfsesed. bpt he ysplteC,
even. be hsrs at the end Of the Aght /"
After his return TO the room he was seen
to converse with Webb. but Il cannot be
said that this conversation led to his en-
deavoring to continue the examination.
despite his late clients Wishes,
The herald., 1897-11-30

was person present whose name had
been frequently mentioned and who de-
sired to make statement. He said he
referred to Mr.. Pitman. The latter
came out of the crowd as his name was
called and no one objected to his testi-
mony. Secretary johnson administered
The herald., 1897-11-30

board Of education from the Ninth
ward and an aspirant for the seat of
that ward In the city council, accord
ing to Axtell's sworn statement, re-
ceived Janitor Cooper's $50 from
Axtel1.
It was paid in the Office of the
superintendent Of schools, and was in
gold coin. Webb said it was to go
to Adams,
All members Of the board Of edu-
cation, with the exception of Webb
and Adams, have thus far been cleared
of implication in the bribery and
extortion, but the investigation has
not been concluded.
In order to draw attention from his
own apparently leading part in the
scandal Webb tried to take refuge be-
hind the fate of schoolteacher whom
he had bsen instrumental in dropping
from the rolls, and in that connection
made bitter and wholly uncalled for
personal attack upon Hon. T. E. Glib
bon, who has so successfully shown up
the rascality of the couple of corrup-
tionists.
"There are Others" so the attorneys
for tho prosecution have asserted.
Only the case against Axtell has been
finished. Adams turn comes next,
and after that it is more than probable
that Webb will be called upon to ex-
plain his connection with the matter.
"The end is not yet"
The foregoing Is brief statement of
what was brought out at last nights
session of the board of education. To
state exactly how it all transpired and
give all the particulars in manner that
would indicate the nature of the pro-
ceedings would be impossible, for from
the start to finish it was about as lively
and sensational a meeting as has been
held in Los Angeles in years. 1t was one
of the climaXeS in the present effort to
expose the rottenness that exists in that
body. That it Is not wholly rotten has
been established. The finger of suspi-
cion no longer points to the majority.
The people now know who are RESPONSE
BILE Tor the attempts at bribery and ex-
tortion. The question naturally arises,
What will the final result be?'
1t is certain that criminal proceed
ings will be instituted against the guilty
persons. Not on charge of misde-
meanor, for felony statute has been
found which, in the opinion of compe-
tent attorneys, fits the cases to a nicely
1t is a felony for any member of board
of education to be privately party to
any contract entered into by the board
as a whole. The employment of teachers
is a contract between the teachers and
the board, and for them to be COM
PEELED to pay portions of their salaries
to certain members of the board makes
the members who receive the money par
ties to the contract, it is believed, within
the meaning of the law. 1t is the inten-
ton of those who are pushing the mat
ter to endeavor to secure the indictment
OF the guilty persons. After all, the
grand jury may act.
The herald., 1897-11-30
TOOK THE sYxTY-FTvH

The next day, OF . few days after this,
Mr.. Cooper again came to me to see what
could be done. told him what Mr.. Az
tell had said, and further said It looked
a. though he was being robbed, ana was
in about the same condition a. Z man
held up by highwaymen. ana that was
not able to render him any assistance.
The herald., 1897-11-30
. HQJQOWNN .

The marvellous remedio-treatment that 10
used at the Hudson Medical Institute, the
great white building at the corner Of Ellis.
Market and Stockton streets. San Fran.
cisco. CAL, has saved Thousands upon thou
sands from all tho horrors that you are af-
flicted WITH and your case IL by no means
too far gone. Go there or write and ask
for circulars and testimonials about this
grand remedy. Why. in thirty days you
won't know yourself and no matter wheth-
Or you have got kidney liver or bladder
trouble; whether you have had q bad case
of blood poisoning and have face and .
body covered with bad ptmples and blotch.
es. or whether you are run down and unable
to perform the big functions Of naturs-it
will be all the same to those wonderful
physicians. You ak what they will do for
you! They will cure YOU and make whole
man Of you.
The herald., 1897-11-30

eFy>ve1 1t ~ ccraer os Pico nnA Mope
etreota wheso ~ eepapateds xhie y
The oaly epnvepostiQu, - fer - ] re-
member. that ever had With AHtell
about the matter. until took him the
money e. heroinafter ntate6,
The herald., 1897-11-30
"BRoTHzR" P1T1fAN's TALE
His Disinterestsd Action In Handling
Oooper'e Money

Immediately following the incident
which deprived Attorney Davis Of q
voice In the examination OF the wit
nesses, Mr.. Gibbon stated that there
The herald., 1897-11-30
Axtell Confesses All and
duplicates Him !.
He TOOK cooPER's MONEY
AND PREPARED THE INFAMOUS
BLACKLIST
"Brother" Pitman Tells Why He
Handled the Cash-An Exciting
Interchange Of Words

oh, what tangled webb" we weave
When first we practice to deceive!
Scott.
The herald., 1897-11-30

Axtell has confessed.
"Brother" Pitman has made O
statement Of his connection with the
scandal.
Walter L. Webb, member Of the
The herald., 1897-11-30
Dr.. Minnie Wells g.! sso ds..d y; lzss e.

Is skilled In the use Of Electricity and
other local treatment which gives immd(s
ate results. Piftssn yeass Ia city,
The herald., 1897-11-30

Now. II has to be one thing or the other
with you. and no one 10 to be blamed II
you choose foolishly. Poor mortal that
you are, why do you keep on and on In your
folly! That lassitude. that shaking-whleh
sometimes almost amounts to paralysis;
those fears OF death: that bashful and
weakened way that you have Of getting
around, and that ,kRpvlsdgs that you have
that you get no Joy out Of life that n worth
Gus disease. Nervous Prostration. Get rid
of 1t! Yss get rid Of It and start In It onoA.
There's life and strength and manhood and
virility and vigor ahead for you II you
want them.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-11-26
An Important Matter.

Representative Fielder, of Atlanta, has
introduced bill in the Georgia legisla-
ture to amend the constitution so as to
allow cities and the state to exempt new
cotton factories from taxation for the
period of ten years. provided a factory
so exempted shall cost at least $4,000.
1t is believed that such an exemption
would draw capital and cause many new
factories to be built.
But 1t is very serious matter, and The
law makers are in a quandary. Farm
ers and merchants who are grooming un-
der their burdens of taxation do not bs-
lieve that amy special interest should be
favored. They say that such law
would make the cotton manufacturers a
privileged class.
Undoubtedly, 1T would be good thing
for any southern state to encourage
the building Of factories. Perhaps the
exemption of their property from taxa
tlom at first w,uld seem like favoritism
but it should be borne in mind that the
exemption period would soon expire and
then the taxes from the factories would
be an-eUtra addition to the states gem
eral fund. The question has two sides.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-11-26
THE GIFT OF ELEPHANTS.

The total consumption of ivory for the
different branches of manufacture
amounted on an average in 1S79-1SS5 TO
about 1,S43,6 800 pounds per year, and IN
1SS9-1S93 on an average to about 1,42S,400
pounds per year.
By careful microscopic examination 1t
has been found that ivory consists OF
millions of infinitely small cells or TUBES
filled with glue-like substance. To the
dense and regular disposition of these
cells calling to- mind the constructor OF
honeycomb, ivory owes that truly won
derful elasticity which is not equaled by
any other substance. 1t is easier to pro-
duce material of greater elasticity than
ivory by means of India rubber, or of
less by compressing certain mixtures OF
organic matter; but a material that
possesses the true elasticity required for
billiard balls has not yet been found on
this globe, and can never be produced
autificially. The aforementioned tubes
are grouped in such manner as to pre-
sent to the eye a series of curved Lines,
bending from The center to the periphery,
thus producing that beautiful grain pc
culiar to elephant ivory alone. The out
side of the teeth consists of layer Of
cementum, called bark, which enclcses
the tooth like the bark of a tree.
Although not quite so Indispensable as
for billiard balls, the use of ivory for
piano keys is of great Importance. All
good players say unanimously that there
is no substance that can equal ivory in
smioolhness and delicacy of touch. Piano
keys without ivory do not admit the
faultles execution of those rapid scales
and figures that virtuosi of today excel
in.
The demand for knife handles and
combs, however, for which about twenty
yeans ago by far the largest quantity Of
ivory was required, has gone down con-
siderably and VIII only prevail as long
as ivory is plentiful and prices are cheap.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-11-26
WHO AND WHY THANKFUL.

B. F. Roden-that the gas meters
lest no time.
P. H. Earls-tl1at interest did not stop.
Major Mllnar-because the Commercial
club had no meeting on the gas ques-
item.
Rufus N. Rhodes-for day off from
getting out a newspaper.
Henry B. Gray-beeause all notss due
yesterday were paid the day before.
Rev. Parliamentary the opportunity
to preach red-hot practical sermon.
B. SteinsrLfor a day of absolute rest
after an evenings entertainment at the
opening of the Phoenix club.
Sheriff O'Brien-that HE is no longer
disturbed at not gsIttmg all the persons
his Jail will hold.
Bob Jemison-t1at mere people than
usual rode on the street cars.
Eugene Fies-that the Phoenix club
reception in the new building was
great success.
M. V. Joeephthat Dingley tariff bills
come but once in a lifetime.
Louis, Saks-that the weather is get
ting colder and winter Clothing will b.
i'm great demand.
Nat Mfller-because all court business
was suspended for the day.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT 1t is all over.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-11-26
DEVIOUS DEFINITIONS.


From the Chicago News
F'ad-The popularity of another per-
SON
FooTs-A class of people that wise men
work for a. living
Cipher-The average man who thinks
HI is one i'm a Thousand
CNnic-A man who Is never happy I'M
less he is unhappy.
Misunderstanding possessed by the
man who never argues with woman.
Genius-The man who can do almost
amy thing except make a living.
Consistsnlcy-A Jewel that the pawn
broker refuses to recognize.
Ciarlty-A cloak that Is sometimes
used to cover an amateurs concert.
Egotist-A man who always talks
about himself when you want to talk
about yourself.
Notwithstanding that alls the
man who would rather work for $12 per
week than $13
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-11-26
THE CHARGE OF DARGAI GAP.
(By Richard Mansfield.)

(By R1cnaru MdnSHelu.)
Bulldogs, bark! Did your courage fail?
Bulldogs bark! Did your glory pale?
What of the SANDER that says De
cayed'
And Gone to the dogs since the Light
Br,gade!'
For the blood and bone THAT humbled
Nap,
Twas there again. boys. In the Dargai
Gap!
Did you hear the swish of the flying
shot?
The roll of the drum and the rattle pot
The music Ghat rose clear DER that yell
And thrilled through the ranks and stir
red up hell!
Come, Highland laddie, head up. step
forth!
A crown of glory! 'fCock of the North! ~
You Cock of the North" aye, pipe away!
With both s,umps gone, and you won the
day!
You may lean your backs against COM
rades now,
They'll moisten your lips and they'll kiss
your brow,
For they fought like men, and a man
may weep
When he lays man Ito his fast long
sleep. -.
Bulldogs who sleep on the Dargai Ridge,
Fall in! Quick, march! and over the
bridge!
The piper's ahead, and the same old air,
To pipe you ITO heaven and veterans
there!
And you'll tell the DULLES who humbled
Map.
The glorious story of Dargai Gap.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-11-26
SMALLPOX in Atlanta.

The smallpox epidemic in Atlanta
seems to have been exaggerated by
some of the out of town newspapers.
The Griffin News, the otheir day. said
that the city was literally honsycombed
with the disease, and that cases were
daily picked up on The streets.
This had the effect OF bringing out an
official statement from Inspector Veal.
of the Atlanta department of sanitation.
According to Mr.. Veal, there are just
seventy-seven smallpox cases In Atlanta
and t1sy are all in the pest house. They
are confined tu the negroes. and vaccina-
ton has been so general that no further
trouble is expected. The negroes have
RESISTED vaccination and lodged the ply
sicians. and it is now recommended that
they be refused employment unless they
can show that they have been yeccln-
ated.
The disease in Atlanta and other Geor-
gaa towns is said to be of mid type.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-11-26

and should not be placed on the pension
roll.
Within the past eight years. a genera
ton since the war ended. the pension last
has doubled, and is still swelling, al
though there is deficit every year in
the government income. This is a mon
strous imposition upon the tax payers
of the country and should not be pa
tienltly endured.
This southern people believe chat the
federal government should pension Its
soldiers and their war widows. but there
is no justice in pensioning the women
who marry ex-soldiers thirty years af
ter the war ended, and 1t is not honest
to pension bounty jumpers. deserters and
hangers-on of the union army, who were
in no sense soldiers, and who never rem
dered any service to the country.