The herald., 1897-12-01

NEESES PROTECTED
teachers in the present school board in
quiry. several, who either had to pay
for positions or were threatened with
loss Of positions II they did not pay
would testify Already threats have been
made to some Of these to prevent them
from testifying. I regret that dare
not give my name now, as fear dis
missal unless enough teachers who have
had to pay for places join In the move-
ment.
(signed) TEACHER"
Already" said he. there have been
threats made and efforts to prevent the
attendance Of persons who know the
truth or portions Of 1t. 1t will take time
for us to follow this clue. and 1t would
be unfair to hasten matters under the
circumstances. Some honest person
wrote that letter."
HIS DEFENSE OUTLINED
Then Webb made the play upon which
he expects to base his case and prove
his innocence. Turning to Adams, ne
asked him to tell the manner In which
1.-The janitors for the public schools are
chosen. Adams did So saying the sew
eral members Of the board recommend
them to the 1anitors' committee, of which
II he was a member. and these recon-
mendations were approved.
Did you at any time receive any
money from any Of the janitors who were
demanded Webb. loudly.
| mo, never did" was Adams reply
Webb repeated the question and goo
the same reply.
You swear positively to that, do your
he asked.
YES I swear to it," replied Adams.
somewhat hotly.
There lies my Defense" exclaimed
Webb. IF 1t Is proven that this man
|did receive money from janitors or from
those who were applicants for such po-
sitions, and he now swears that he did
not receive money from them. will you
then believe that he is lying when he
| tells this story about me?"
| Director Davis then asked Webb: Did
YOU know of this demand having been
made Of principals and janitors at the
ltime it was made?"
II did not" was the reply. 1T had
would never have told those principals
their positions were SAFE"
POSITIONS EXPLAINED
President Mathis here stated that he
ihad never heard of the matter until he
was summoned before the grand jury
and there asked about Axtell and
Adams
II want to say to Mr.. Webb and to
the board" eaid Director Davis, that
Mr.. Conrey and have never at any time
sought out In formation. 1t Is true that
we received information from various
sources and after verifying 1t we filed
the charges. as 1t was our duty to 90.
We are not here as prosecutors or as per-
secutors."
Webb again took the floor and said:
1T have never yet been treated fairly by
some of the newspapers. The Herald has
given a fair summary of all the pro-
ceedings without taking sides. This In
yestigation will result in the blame
resting where 1t belongs. All desire 10
that the press treat 1t fairly. Don't try
It in the papers first and then make q
week correction afterward. would re-
onest that the investigation proceed at
lbrce. / want to find the guilty man."
President Mathis suggested that the
charges had cast shadow upon the
entire board and that a long delay was
not advisable.
Mr.. Conrey advised the board to make
haste slowly" 1T would be better to
have a short delay now and have the
charges prepared In the proper form ana
supported by proper evidence" said ne.
"than to continue the investigation ana
Thereby defeat Its very purpose py lack
of proper preparation"
IN A HURRY TO BEGIN
Webb wanted the investigation con-
tinued without the charges, saying that
the hearing Of sevidence could be pro-
ceeded with and the charges could be
fled whenever they were prepared.
"How about the power of summoning
witnesses?' he asked. II understand
that the board took charge of that mat
ter. Now witnesses are summoned with
out the knowledge Of the board and no
one is allowed to see them to learn what
|thsy know. This way is not fair"
In response to a question by Mr.. Con-
Irey. Mr.. Glbbon explained that post
J ponement until Monday was absolutely
! necessary to the proper presentation OF
the evidence, and Mr.. Conrey then
moved that when the board adjourned Il
, be to meet again Monday evening at 7:SV
, o'clock. This motion was carried unari-
' mously.
Y Director Davis then said there was an
. other matter which he desired to present.
8 He said that many Of the persons who
n perhaps knew facts that the board de-
i sired in the investigation we're afraid te
? appear because they thought they mlGHl