The herald., 1897-11-21


buildings and janitors. was placed on
trial for his job. and incidentally his
reputation, last night before a special
committee Of the board of education. At
the same time and before the same COM
mttee an inquiry into the official act
ions of ]. A. Adams as member OF the
board was begun. From the manner in
which the investigation was begun 1t ap-
pears that 1t will be long drawn out and
that the most of this week will be de-
voted to it. Then. after it Is all over,
the entire matter will have to be re-
viewed by the full board and II there is
any disagreement among either the COM
mittee or the members of the board, both
of which may be expected, the hearing
of the evidence may have to be gone over
again. Just what reason there Is for
this method of procedure perhaps some
of the board members may be able to
tell, but more than one person has been
unkind enough to intimate that one rea-
son for 1t is to tire the public of the
matter and then let 1t die when interest
has ceased. If this is the object 1t will
certainly fail, for those who are pushing
the investigation will insist upon COM
plete exoneration of the board as body
from even the suspicion of implication
In the present scandal.
OF DOUBTFUL LEGALITY
According to the opinions OF two of
the members of the board, both of them
attorneys, there is some doubt as to
the legality of the present manner OF
proceeding. They think, and so stated
at the special meeting Of the board yes
terday morning, that the legal way to
invest igate is as board and not dele
gate the authority to any committee.
The charter provides how such inves-
legations shall be conducted and its
provisions were pointed out. In spite of
this, and disregardng the warnings that
the whole matter would, perhaps. have
to be gone over again, the board decided
TO proceed first by committee. A sig
nifcant circumstance in this connection
Is that in spite fthe fact that Director
Adams is accused of grave malfeasance
he participated in the deliberations OF
the board, voted on all matters that came
up, made motions of his own, by his vote
decided the action of the board as to the
manner of the investigation, defeated
motion to suspend AXtell pending an in
vestigation of the charges, in short, act
ed as if he was not at all involved in the
matter and was acting for the best in
terests of the schools and the reputation
of the board.
That there Is something radically
wrong in the dealings Of some members
Of the school department, either director
or employe, or both was proven beyond
a doubt. If the charges are not true
there has been perjury committed, and
II they are true some person or persons
have been guilty Of bribery. Which
crime will be proven remains to be seen,
out from appearances it is more than
possible that an effort may be made to
whitewash the matter. The investiga-
ton has thus far lacked the vigor and
vim that had been expected. The mat
ter has been handled by some Of the
members In a manner indicative of q
fear that perhaps more than are con-
cerned in the charges might be implicat-
ed. 1t may improve as 1t progresses
and the future sessions Of the investi-
eating committee will be watched with
interest by the public.
OPENING REMARKS
All the members of the board were
present except Mr.. Bartlett. who is out
Of the city, when President Mathis
called the special meeting to order yes
terday morning. Director Adams was
there, seemingly as unconcerned as il
he were only going to vote on some mat
ter Of routine instead Of hear his own
alleged actions made the subject of in
vestigation. Axtell failed to appear,
and Brother" Pitman was also absent.
In opening the meeting DR.. Mathis or
dered the reading of the call for the
special session, and then said:
Serious charges have been preferred
against member Of this board and one
of the employees Of the board. The
charges are such that consideration Of
them Is imperative, and 1t Is for the pur.
pose Of instituting an investigation into
them that have called this meeting of
the board. 1t Is the feeling of the men,
bers that II any persons are guilty of
what has been alleged against them, 1t
should be known, and known at once.
We will endeavor to hew t" the line, and
let the chips fall where they may 1t is
for the board to determine what action
1t shall take. The aff1davits, which are
the basis Of the charges. have appeared
In the morning papers, and consider the
reading of them here unnecessary"
The original affidavlts were then pro-
duced, and on motion of Mr.. Poor. were
filed. and became a part of the records Of
the board. Mr.. Poor then said:
II feel that this investigation is not
only due to those mentioned in the affi-
davits and against whom charges have
been preferred, but also to all members
of the board. BY imputation, at least.
the charges reflect against the entire
board. If any person has been COM
PEELED to pay for his or her position, If
money has been used, let us know who
used 1t. 1t is the wish of the board that
full investigation be had"
RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED
Mr.. Poor then offered the following
resolution:
Whereas, Certain charges, supported
by affdavits. have this day been filed
with this board against one of its men,
bers and one Of its employees; therefore,
Resolved, That the president of this
board do now appoint a committee,
which shall consist of two members Of
the board and the superintendent of
schools, whose duty 1t shall be to investi-
Do n,