The herald., 1898-02-15
Webb's Protege Tries to
Stick Fast
BRAGG IS CONSERVATIVE
AND THE CITY ATTORNEYS
OPINION rs WANTED
Averill's Apointm ent as Secretary Of
the Board of Education Con-
tested-The Braly Charges

| ITS a cold day when the board of
education can't stir up aracket OF some
kind" was the remark Of a citizen who
attended the regular meeting of the
board last night If this conveyed the
TRUTH last night should have been ac-
companied by zero weather. for one of
the most tangled messes has been made
of the matter of the secretaryship OF
the board that could be imagined. The
session, indeed, was somewhat on the
order of the proverbial monkey and par
rot time, with H. G. Johnson, the former
secretary, backed by the Webb element,
arrayed on one side against the other
members of the board, who had. at the
meeting before, chosen Mr.. Averill as
secretary. Which side won the ad-
vantage as the result of nearly two
hours deliberation is not clear, Both
sides claim victory, but the matter has
by no means been settled. 1t will go now
to the city attorney for an opinion, and If
that opinion is favorable to Johnson he
will probably retain his seat. If unfa-
vorable to Johnson that protege of
Webb's proposes to take it into the
courts for adjustment.
At the opening of the meeting and be-
fore the minutes of the previous meet
ing had been read A. M. Bragg, the
recently elected member from the
Seventh ward was formally introduced
to the board and presented his certifi-
cate of election. In taking the office he
made an excellent short speech, in which
he declared that If politics entered at
all into the actions of the board he would
try to see to it that the Democratic
party received proper recognition. He
stated that he was opposed to political
| considerations entering into school af-
fairs, and as far as possible he would
oppose such matters as savored of po-
litical plans. He urged the other men,
bers to drop all thought of politics and
advised them to make the good of the
schools their only consideration.
President Davis, on behalf of the
board. thanked the new member and
took occasion to advise that all the per-
sonal differences that had so long ex-
listed in the board be forgotten and that
hereafter the work of the board be di-
rected toward the betterment of the
school system of the city.
JOHNSON'S GRAFT
Then came a surprise in the shape of
an announcement by the president that
Mr.. Johnson. who was the secretary up
to the last meeting of the board, had de-
clined to surrender his seat and refused
to allow his successor. who had been
duly elected, to occupy the Office or to
have access to the books, papers or
property of the board. In making this
announcement President Davis stated
that in his opinion the attitude of Mr..
Johnson was untenable. UNLESS there is
an appeal from the ruling of the chair"
said he, II shall rule that Mr.. Johnson
has no power to act as secretary, that his
acts as such are illegal, and shall insist
that the new secretary be installed"
Director Conrey said that there had
been no desire or disposition on the part
of the board to take advantage of any
outgoing officer, that all the courtesies
that could be expected had been ex-
tended to Mr. Johnson, and that in TAX
ing the office Mr.. Averill wanted no un-
pleasantness. He suggested that re-
cess of three minutes be taken, hoping
that the differences might be adjusted
son define his position, which he did by
reading section 9 of the city charter,
which he claimed provides that before
his successor could be elected the board
would have to declare the office vacant.
President Davis stated that it was q
well-known point of law that such action
as the board had taken at it's last meet
ing was a sufficient declaration that the
board desired to elect new secretary,
and was, therefore, sufficient declara-
tion that vacancy existed. He referred
to promise made by Johnson last week
TO assist the new secretary in learning
the duties of the office and at that time
he had told Johnson that he would be
remunerated for his services. He asked
that the board approve his action In
making that promise.
Mr.. Conrey pointed to the fact that
for more than month the matter of the
election of a secretary had been dis
cussed, and tpat open motions for that
purpose had been made at the board ses-
sions. He urged that the secretary had
been treated fairly and that there was
no reason nor legality in his present con-
tention that a successor had not been
legally elected. His suggestion that
recess of five minutes be taken was
agreed to, but, although several of the
members talked with Johnson during
that time, the purpose for which the re-
cess had been taken was not accom-
plished.
When the board reassembled Mr.. Con-
rey moved that the new secretary take
his place, which motion was seconded by
Mr.. Braly. Mr.. Poor called on Mr. John
son to explain his position, which he did
| In short speech, in which he staed that
he had always tried to perform his du-
| ties in manner creditable to himself
and satisfactory to the board, and was
ready to meet any charges that might
be preferred against him. IT hold and
believe" said he, that this board can
not I'LL vacancy until they create one.
This may not be a political matter, but
last week, after the election, President
Davis approached me and said, in ex-
pressing his regret that he could not
vote for me: It's all matter of poll
! tics.' / shall continue to hold this office
until the board declares it vacant"
WEBB's INSINUATION
President Davis denied that he had
said anything that was at all like the
quotation that Johnson had used. What
did say" declared Mr.. Davis, was
that did not believe in political consid-
lerations in school affairs, but as politics