The herald., 1898-06-14
HIS LAST SCANDAL
THE EX-BOSS OF THE SCHOOL
BOARD FOUND OUT
CORRUPTING INFLUENCE
WAS NOT CONFINED TO THE AD-
MINIsTRATIoN
DENIALS MADE ON ALL SIDES
That Led Up to the
Summary Withdrawal of the
Iron Hand

Walter Webb has found hist all. from a
different cause, 1t Is true, than that of hood
ling, with which he was charged some time
ago, but his downcome is none the less
complete and disastrous, unfortunately not
to himself alone, but to teacher in the
schools, whom his duty it was to protect,
who allowed herself to- become so compro-
missed by him as to leave the directors no
other course than to accept her resigna-
ton and to demand his. which was pre-
sented at the meeting of the board last
evening.
The full extent of Webb's "indiscretion"
cannot be ascertained at present, and as
the publication of all the details would
serve no purpose now that the schools are
rid of the man, the young woman, or wo-
men, for rumor has it that there are two
concerned, will not be further injured by
the publication of their identity. The fact
is sufficient punishment for them, and per-
haps they will yet be able to redeem them
Selves for it is said by the school authori-
ties that they were above suspicion before
they met Webb.
tain facts for some time, and secured Off
cial corroboration of them yesterday,
though Webb, one of the young teachers
whose lasting injury he is said to have eff
fected and Mrs. Webb, from whom it is
supposed the informatio to the school au-
thorities first came, all denied in most Wig
orous and unqualified terms the truth of
the statement. From an undeniable and
official source, however, later in the even
ing, full corroboration of the story was
obtained, though at that time it was feared
that Webb might succeed in hushing the
matter up and retain his position, but when
the question came UP of acting upon the
appointment of the teachers the directors
demanded that he leave them, and at last
he sat down and wrote his resignation
which, it is to be hoped, ends his career in
position of trust in this city. The pro-
ceedings Of the meeting will be found else
where.
Webb's Denial
Mr.. Webb, when seen by reporter and
told the story about him, spoke as follows:
"There is absolutely nothing in the story,
AS all my friends know, my wife and l
have not agreed for two years past, and
have lived under an agreement to separate.
Almost all my property is in her name, and
the agreement is about run out. I suppose
that we will soon get divorce. l have
never had anything to do with any of the
girl teachers, and the teacher you mention
l know only by name. may have seen her
but l have never been out with her any
where and have had nothing to do with her
| or any other teacher socially. We were
always accused of these things, but have
| been very careful on that account I'd give
none of my enemies any chance to criti-
| else me.
| Very often my friends have come to me
| to get some young woman appointed, and
1 have always told them to send the appli-
cant to the board, and If she was qualified
1 would do what 1 could for them, but
do not think I ever appointed teacher d.
rectly from her own application. You are
at perfect liberty to see Mrs. Webb and ask
her all about it, and I am sure that she
will corroborate me-"
The Victim
An official of the department said last
kevening that one of the teachers who is
alleged to have committed the indescretion
had promised to leave the city at once, and
he thought she had done so. She was seen
by Herald reporter, however, early IN
the evening, when she denied just as COM
pletely as had Mr. Webb the allegations.
This young woman Is one Of the most &C
complished and capable in the school de-
partment and is hardly old enough to ap-
preciate her situation. She is beautiful
and belongs to most respectable family
| of Southern California city.
More Confirmation
| Emile d'Artois, brother of Mrs. Webb
was seen last evening. and said that he had
heard rumors for some weeks past that
| Webb had been running around after wo-
men, but not until yesterday afternoon had
| he received any positive information on the
subject. He was then told by relative
that Webb had been caught in trap, and
Mrs. Webb had succeeded in securing q
clear case against him. Mr.. d'Artois did
| not inquire further into the matter, how
ever, so was not acquainted with the de-
tails of the affair.