The herald., 1897-12-22

he ndu HOt VOto0 IOr eltn6r, Dut Tor MSs
Mary A. Ramsdell. He also asserted
that the reason Mrs. Greenman had been
elected over Miss Hawks was that she
was better equipped for tho work OF a
principal than was Miss Hawks, the
qualifications OF excellent teacher and
excellent principal not being identical.
FLAT DENIALS
Another fiat denial Of what Mrs.
Smith had sworn to when she stated
that Webb had told her that Mr.. Con-
rey had little influence with the teach
ers' committee followed the mention OF
this matter. Webb asserted that he had
made no such statement at that tims, In
fact he did not remember any conver-
sation at that time with Mrs. Smith.
He might have voiced such sentiment
early in tho year. but not after this
school year began. He did not know
that Mrs. Smith had purchased piano
at Bartlett's store, but admitted that he
had told Salyer, Bartlett's salesman,
that Mrs. Smith had been promoted. He
did not know why he had told this. "she
was there so many times that I noticed
1t and 1 merely mentioned to Ar. salyer
one day after she had left the store that
she had been promoted to the position
of director. There were many teachers
there from time to time. A great many
teachers rent pianos there"
This latter remark by Webb was noted
by the prosecution and some of the
members Of the board. Bartlett may be
given a chance to explain how it is that
he has so many regular customers
among the school teachers.
Webb again assered that he had moth
ing whatever to do with the high school
He denied fatty that he had ever told
Drummond of the Ninth ward or any
person that he would give the colored
man, Jackson Parker, a place in the
high school under the janitor there,
and pointed to the fact that Parker had
testified that no such positive promise
had been made him.
In connection with the action he had
taken In not supporting Sprague for the
position Of engineer at the high school,
Webb said that Bartlett had telephoned
him not to vote for Sprague. Bartlett
had been informed that Adams had
stood up Sprague, and for that reason
he had been defeated Mr.. Gibbon asked
how it was that il Webb had always
pretended to be so careful Of the inter-
ests of the board and had tried to keep
Axtell and Adams from doing wrong.
ne had not reported this rumored hold
up to other members. He said that he
did not wish to act upon rumor and that
when, later, Bartlett had told him that
there was nothing definite to be learned
from investigation, he had taken Bart
lett's word and dropped the matter.
HELLNAN AND HARDWARE
A long examination into the hardware
contract Of the school board was then
taken up and Webb was asked almost
every possible question about 1t. He as
serted that he had discovered over
charges in the bills Of the Harper &
Reynolds company over the Wholesale
rates agreed upon. The amount Of these
overcharges was about $11 in bill of
some $50. He was asked whether the
bills were not for more than $4,000 in .
stead Of $50 and therefore the overchargs
was comparatively little matter, but
he positively denied that such was the
case. He asserted that he had taken the
contract to the city attorney and had
learned that 1t was not valid contract.
After that the goods for the schools were
purchased elsewhere, principally of the
w. c. Furrey company.
Webb declared that he first met He'll
man after he had been elected to the
school board, being introduced to him
in ths board Of education rooms by
Secretary Johnson. He denied at flrst
that Holman had contributed to his re-
frsshmsnt on his trip east by furnishing
him q case Of wine Afterward he ad-
rnitted that II Holman had ordered and
paid for the wine and had 1t sent to him
that would be considered q contribution.
He admitted that there was some wine
on the train, but he supposed that a wine
company wanted to advertise its goods.
Part of 1t was consumed on the train
and part Of 1t at Milwaukee. There was
not, however. enough to go around with
1000 or more teachers there.
4. Again Webb asserted that he had
promised Prof. Keppel his support as
much as he ever promised any person
that he would support them He was
not in the habit of making positive prom
ises in such matters.
Until Axtell said so on the stand Webb
had never known Of his being consid-
cred ruling spirit on the board and
was surprised when Axtall and Adams
said SO. In spite Of the fact that Su-
perintendent of Schools Foshay
had sworn positively to the con-
trary, Webb again testified that
the superintendent had scrutinized
and passed upon the list Of teach
ers elected last June before their cleo
ton. Asked II when Prof. Foshay stated
that he had not been consulted in the
matter he had stated what was not
true, Webb would only say that Foshay
was mistaken.
WEBB WAS SUSPICIOUS
He was asked as to his statement that
he had kept close watch upon Axtell
and Adams to keep them from doing
wrong, and reiterated that such close
watch was necessary. This answer was
turned against him when it was shown
that in the matter Of the kalsomining
contract with Nelson Bros Webb had
trusted to Axtell the whole matter OF
arranging the details and taking charge
of the work. Webb said that there was
no stated contract for any particular
amount of work, but only the price per
yard was agreed upon and Axtell had
the matter of designating where the
work was to be done under his control.
Perhaps the most glaring inconsist-
ency in Wsbb's testimony was his state
ment in regard to the man who had first
informed him Of the fact that two school
employees were working on Mr.. McIner-
ny's house. This matter was examined
into in detail. Webb told his old story OF
man he did not know, and had never
seen since, coming to him with the
story and demanding an Investigation.