The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-16
SCHOOL BOARD SURPRISE
MIR. vONNEGUT RESIGNS AND WIN.
KOTHE SUCCEEDS HIM.
New Committees of Board-Contracts
to Amount of $4,000 Awarded
Township Taxes.

The first regular meeting of the School
Board under the new organization was held
last night and despite the intense heat the
commissioners sat patiently at their desks
and disposed of a large accumulation of
routine business. All OF the new members
were present, including Commissioner "Jer-
ry Collins, who looked as if he might have
dressed for lawn party, in his blue serge
and white canvas shoes. Some of the COM
mlssioners were surprised when commun-
ication from Franklin Vonnegut was read,
Offering his resignation as member of the
board Mr.. Vonnegut has represented the
Ninth school district, but on account of
pressing business affairs he stated he would
be unable to longer continue on the board.
On motion of Commissioner Rhine the rules
were suspended and William Kothe was
elected commissioner to succeed Mr.. Vonne-
gut Mr.. Hottie is member of the whole
sale firm of Kothe, Wells & Bauer. He re-
ceived the votes of all the members present
The board spent some time in discussing
report of the committee on furniture and
supplies, which recommended that contracts
amounting to about $1,000 be awarded.
These contracts include the regular supply
Of stationery, small articles used in the
schoolroom, such as brooms, tin cups, etc.,
had received bids from various firms, and
the report contained recommendations as to
who should receive these contracts. Com
missioner Robson objected to the letting of
the contracts. He held that the committee
on supplies, like the other standing commit
tees, had passed away with the old board
and he did not believe it would be regular
to concur in the report of the committee.
He said, however, he had the greatest con-
fidence in the committee, yet he believed
the matter was one of sufficient Importance
to warrant the entire board in making an
investigation of the bids. President Max
we'll informed the commissioner that he had
been informed by the boards attorney that
the old committees would hold over until
the new committees were appointed. The
vote to suspend rules and award the con-
tracts was lost, but afterward Mr.. Robson
asked that the vote be reconSidered. He
explained his position by saying that the
superintendent of buildings and grounds had
explained that it was of the greatest impor-
lance that the contracts be awarded at
once. Another vote was taken and the rules
were suspended. The contracts were then
awarded TO the lowest bidders in accord
ance with the recommendation of the COM
mittee. w. B. Reynolds secured the coal
contract. He is to furnish Brazil screened
block at S2,O5 a ton. For Island City double
screened block he is to receive $3.50 ton.
The committee estimates that about 500 tons
will be used. The other contracts were
awarded to the following firms: Indiana Pa
per Company. Crescent Paper Company. In
diana Book and Stationery Company, w. b.
son, Lily & Stalnaker, Indiana paper box
factory, Middleton & Logsdon, F. M. Her
Printing Company, A: G.. Brandt & Co: and
.Nankervis & Son. The board awarded the
contract for n making Improvements mt at
A communication was read from Charles
w Smith, announcing his acceptance of
the position of attorney for the board, and
election. The committee on finance recon-
mended that the bonds of newly-elected
officers be accepted as offered, provided
they bear the proper government stamp.
George w. Sloan, treasurer of the board,
Marion Trust Company as surety. Frank
l.. Ressner, assistant secretary of the
board. furnishes a $1,000 bond, and ]. S.
Dunlap. superintendent of buildings and
grounds. gives a bond of $1,000. President
Maxwell announced his new committees as
follows:
Finance-Kothe. Baker and Rhine.
Buildings and Grounds-Rdbnson, Burns
and Sloan
Furniture and Supplies-Baker. Woessner
Manual Training Long and
WoesSner.
High and Industrial Training-Scott,
Long, Collins, Woessner and Robson
Teachers and Salaries-Woessner, Kothe
German. Music and Drawing-Rinne, Rob-
Heating, Hygiene and Janitors-Long.
judiciary and Boundaries-Burns, Baker
and Robson.
Public Library-Rinne, Sloan, Baker.
Scott and Collins.
Citizens Library Advisory Committee
David K. Goss. John A. Finch, William S.
Bobbs. Mrs. Lucius B. Swift and Mrs. j. r.
Hussey.
Township Trustee Makepeace with his
attorney, Thomas Hanna. was before the
board trying to make some arrangements
concerning the back taxes which it is
claimed Center township owes the city
schools out of the dog fund. The trustee
has been inundated to either pay over what
money he has on hand or show cause why
he should not do so. The trustee last night
explained that this tax was all collected by
his predecessor and expended by him.
Trustee Makepeace said he had paid over
every dollar of dog tax due the city schools
that he had collected He stated that he
had barely enough funds to run the town
ship schools this coming winter and he
hoped the board would meet his attorney
and devise some plan of adjustment The
board took no action
William LeErand Wingate Dead.
The death of William I4egrand Wingate,
of 2021 College avenue. occurred yesterday
morning. He was born in Kentucky in 1890,
coming to Indianapolis with his parents in
1926. He took up the law as a profession
when a young man and practiced for several
years, but afterward became interested in
mercantile affairs, and at the time of his
death was engaged in the lumber business.
He was associated in business with his SON.
in-law. Mr.. Wingate was member of the
Broadway Methodist Church. A wife and six
children survive him.
PITTSBURG CORONIAL METHODS
w. G. Bertermann Makes Charges