The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-12-14
Il Comes Off Today if He
Does Not Resign
NO SUCCESSOR TO ADAMS
THE BOARD WILL FILL HIS VA
CANCY ON THURSDAY
Webb Wanted a New Member Right
Away and Breaks Pledge
Solemnly Given

Ing for the first time in its new quarters
In the Gardner & Zellner block, just
north of the city hall. In the absence of
President E. N. Mathis, N. p. Conrey,
the member from the Second ward, took
the chair. There were also present Di-
rectors Davis, Poor. Bartlett, McInerny,
Webb, Secretary Johnson and Superin-
tendent Foshay. The annual report of
the public schools of this city for 1862,
q volume Of 1874 pages, was presented by
the superintendent to the members of
the board. 1t contains valuable statis-
teal data and number of interesting
reports from principals.
Mr.. Conrey rose to a question of privi-
lege on behalf Of Attorney Meserve, the
counsel for Webb. In the course of his
examination of T. J. Phillips on Friday
evening, said the president pro tenn,
there arose an incident which has caused
the attorney considerable annoyance.
Aeserve asked Phillips If he had used
profane language. Reports were pub
1ished that Mr.. Meserve had injected
profane and indecent language into the
proceedings Mr.. Conrey said that he
had objected to the line Of examination
Of Attorney Meserve at that time, not
because it contained Objectionable lam
Iguage, which 1t did not, but because 1t
was not proper cross-examination. He
bald high compliment to Mr. Meservc'2
professional decorum. Mr.. Davis said
chat he fully agreed with Mr.. Conrey.
The secretary read the letter Of resig-
nation Of J. F. Adams, the member from
the Seventh ward, who has been accused
BY the grand jury Of malfeasance in Of
nee. Mr.. Webb wanted the roll called,
and when his name was called he begged
to be excused from voting. The resigna-
ton Of Adams was accepted by five ayes,
no noes.
At this juncture President Mathis
came in but declined to take the chair.
The report of the finance committee was
approved and warrants for the several
amounts ordered drawn.
Mr.. Poor said that kindergarten
could easily be prepared in the Swain
school building itself, if a few repairs
were made. He moved that the build
ing committee report favorably upon the
matter and it's estimated cost.
Superintendent Foshay moved that the
rule preventing kindergarten children
from receiving presents from teachers,
and vice versa, be suspended Temperate
ly under the supervision of himself and
the supervisor of kindergartens. So or
dered.
Mr.. Davis very much questioned the
legality of the present meeting, because
It was not held at the usual place and no
notice had been given of the meeting at
the new rooms. After some discussion
It appeared to the board, except to Mr..
Davis, that they had to hold their regu-
lar meetings at the office of the super
intendent, and 1t was agreed that Mr..
Foshay had moved into the place where
the meeting was being held.
Mr.. Davis then said that the motion
he desired to make had to do with Mr..
Axtell, the superintendent Of buildings
and janitors. The speaker felt that in
view of Axtells confession it was utter
ly impossible to retain him, but because
Of this confession he felt that the super
intendent ought to be given an oppor-
tunity to resign. His motion that Mr..
Axtell present his resignation no later
than tonight was carried unanimously.
E. o. Wilkinson addressed the board
on the possible danger to the school
houses of the Second ward by reason Of
the proximity of oil wells in that dis
trict and the constant encroachment be-
ing made by wel-borers. The gentle
man advocated restrictions in the v1cin-
ity of schools. He particularly referred
to the Alpine street school. On motion
of Mr.. McInerny the matter was re-
ferred to the building committee with
power to act.
The committee on rules and regua-
lions was, on motion, requested to ask
suggestions from the members of thc
board for the revision of said rules.
Mr.. Bartlett moved that the vacancy
caused by Mr.. Adams be Immediately
filled, and Mr. Davis amended the mo-
tion by Offering that the board meet OH
Thursday at o'clock to meet the va
cancy Of the Seventh ward. The amend
ment was lost.
Mr.. Foor referred to a petition from
that ward asking for the election by thu
board of Mr.. f. 7. Hughes. Mr. Davis
spoke of one in favor of A. NJ. Bragg and
Mr.. w. Z. Keller was also mentioned as
q candidate. Mr.. Davis again insisted
upon the propriety of putting off the
vote until Thursday afternoon, when
Mr.. Brady, who was sick, could probably
be present. Mr.. Webb said that he
would abstain from voting if the election
took place at once, but that in the event
of its being deferred until the day men
toned by the member of the Fourth
ward, he certainly would cast his ballot.
The question now came up as to
whether the board would proceed to
elect, and Mr.. Bartlett's motion was car
ried by ayes against 8 noes
MIR. Davis renewed his efforts to post
pone the appointment by moving that
further consideration of the filling of the
vacancy be continued until Thursday
afternoon, so that a full board might be
present, and the people of the Seventh
ward generally might have chance to
be heard on the subject by the board.
Several people from the ward spoke in
favor of the several candidates, and
some advocated Mr.. Davis motion, be-
cause they believed that the members OF
the Seventh did not know what was go
ing on. Among the latter was Mr.. Vor
der Kuhlen.
Mr.. Davis last motion again met with
defeat, the vote being: Ayes, Conrey
Davis, Mathis; noes, Poor, Bartlett, Nc.
1nerney and Webb.
The names of the following candidates
were then placed in nomination: Hughes