The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-12-19
Webb's Defense Will Begin
Monday Night
a STRONG ONE is NEEDED
MORE CoRRoBoRATIvE TESTI-
: MONY PRESENTED
lively Tilt Between Attorneys.
E. Henry Gage Will Hereafter
Prosecute Webb


Walter L. Webb before the board OF edu-
cation closed its case last night. There
IL only one thing remaining to be done
and that is simply to follow the cross ex-
animation of Adams when that worthy
shall be able to appear. His exaWlna-
ton has not been concluded, and as he Is
said to be seriously i'll, 1t is not certain
when this part of the case can be pre-
sented. 1t was with the understanding
that he would be summoned as soon as
possible that the prosecution closed.
Monday night it Is expected that Webb
himself will take the stand in his own de-
Tense. This is not certain. however, for
It is possible that he may not be W.T.
ness at all. Some of his friends have
stated that he would take the stand first,
and that there would be other witnesses
almost without number to follow him.
Attorney Meserve was asked last night
about how long 1t would take the defense
to present its case. He said that II was
impossible for him to say just at present.
He thought, however, that the trial
could be concluded within week or ten
days.
The story told by Axtell and again by
Janitor Morris of the high school. as to
Webb's having proposed to put a man
under the latter as assistant tanitor. and
about Webbs having afterward sent
that man to Axtell with an order to put
him to work, was corrob0rated last
night by the sworn statement of the man
referred to. He is Andrew Jackson
Parker, colored. and he told how he had
been promised job. and after being re-
peatedly disappointed had been given
q note to Axtel for day labor.
Mrs. Smiths story about Webb's con-
nection with the piano purchase. to
which she was party, was also cor
roborated.
The ground was laid for proving later
by an exhibition of the records of the
school department that during the first
part of this year Webb had issued requi-
sitions for supplies. and that four-fifths
bore either the signature of Webb alone
or Of Webb and Adams, and that Mr..
Conrey, the third member of the supply
committee. had very little voice in the
purchases.
Beginning Monday night, Hon. Henry
T. Gage will appear in the prosecution of
the case, Mr.. Gibbon having other bust
ness Of a most important nature to at
tend to at once which will require his at
tention.
When the session of the board was
called to order. Secretary Johnson
omitted Webb's name from the roll call.
as he is not at present member Of the
board. through the action of the city
council. The other members who have
been attending all the sessions were
present. Attorney Oliver, for the de-
Tense. asked whether Mr.. Adams was
present, as he desired to complete his
cross examination. Adams was called
for, but did not respond. a messenger
was sent to his house, but no answer had
been received up to the time of adjourn
ment. The attorneys for the defense
asked Mr.. Gibbon when he would close
his case. and received the response that
the prosecution hoped to close with that
session. It was finally agreed that, with
the exception of having the cross-exami-
nation of Adams considered as part of
the case of the prosecution, the case
would be closed on that side.
A POLITICAL HENCHMAN
A. ]. Parker was the first witness
Long Beach. but up to the first week in
July he had resided in this city. He
knew Webb well and had done some
political work for him.
Were you promised by Mr.. Webb the
position Of janitor in the public
schools?" he was saked.
Yes, l was promised that l would be
made janitor in the Breed street school
but did not get the place" was his re-
Spouse.
In answer to questions he stated that
he had made application for some such
position and to secure it he had circu-
lated a petition among the voters of the
Ninth ward. especially among the mem
bers of the Ninth ward Republican club.
He had talked with Mr.. Drummond,
who was prominent in Republican cir
Giles in that ward, and was told by him
that if he did not get the Breed street
school he would be appointed to posi-
ton under the janitor of the high school.
The place at the Breed street school
paid $45 per month and Drummond told
him that the other place would pay $50
to $50 per month.
After he had been disappointed in not
getting the Breed street school he had
visited Webb, who told him that he
would give him a place on this side of
the river which would pay more, but
he did not say what the position was.
This was after the election of ianitors
by the school board. After waiting sew
eral days. he had again gone to see
Webb who told him not to get worried
that he would be provided for. Growing
weary of waiting for any reward he
moved to Long Beach In August he
came back to the city and went to see
Webb again to find out what he intended
to do. Webb gave him note to a man
in the Spring street school. Parker de-
livercd the note and the man told him IN
come In again on Monday and he would
he put to work in one Of the schools. He
was given to understand that the ioh
was only for a few days and instead of
going back and taking the place he re-
turned to Long Beach. Webb never
told him why he had not secured q
5anitors place for him. Parker reitera-
ted his statement that Drummond had
positively asserted to him that he
Parker, was to be given a place unde,
the Janitor of the high school.
HE WAS TURNED DOWN
In the cross examination the defense
tried to make the witness admit tina,
the order Webb had given him to Axtel
was oil the reward he had been prom.