The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-05-05
NO QUORUM.
Anti=Varney Members Fail to
Appear.
Election of Teachers Probably Goes Over
to the June Meeting.=-Dr. Web
Ster's Return Awaited.

The school board did not elect teach
ers last night as provided by the char
ter for the reason that there was less than
quorum of members present, Messrs.
Cray, Coughlan, Keysor and Parry
were on hand, but Messrs. Fletcher and
Wilson and Mrs. Smith failed to put in
an appearance, although the board waited
long for them. With less than d
quorum, no business whatever can be
transacted, and some matters relative
to the graduating class of the high
school had to go over with the election.
The three members of the board who
remained away from last nights meet
ing are strongly opposed to the re-elec-
ton of Supt VarneyS while the four
who were present would very likely
haye cast their votes, for him had an
election been held. The anti-Varney
members remained away for the pur
pose of delaying the election until af-
ter the return of De- l. D. Webster
from the east, which is expected to be
next week. They claim to have reason
to believe that DR. Webster will vote
with them against Supt. Varneys re-
election, thus creating a tie On the
other hand, those who favor Prof. Var
ney are perfectly willing to await DIR.
Webster's return, as they seem to be
equally certain that he will vote with
them, and they say that the other side
is mistaken in counting on the Doctor
The delay in the election of teachers
is likely to be LONGER than the anti
Varney people counted upon, for Presi-
dent Cray stated last evening that he
would not call a special meeting, but
would let the election go over to the
June meeting. The responsibility for
this delay will rest upon the three anti
Varney members. Mr.. Cray feels that
members of the board should not be
permitted to throw an important regu-
lar meeting over and then expect to
have special meeting called whenever
they like. That would look a good
deal like playing horse, and Mr.. Cray
does not feel like playing horse" for
the minority of the board.
In connection with the tactics adopt
ed by the anti Varney members of the
board, an interesting rumor is in circu-
lation. 1t is no less than that Mrs
Smith, one of the three, would herself
not decline an election to the position
of superintendent of schools. 1t is said
that certain hints have been thrown out
by other of the antiVarney forces
that she might look for support in case
she Stands pat" However this may
be, Mrs. Smiths attitude on the sub
ject of Supt. Varney at different times
has led to remarks on the part of other
members on the board as to her consis
tency. Mrs. Smith, however, denies
that she is an applicant for the position.
Others who are supposed to be in the
lead in case a change IN superinten-
dents should be made are Supt Ford, Of
Owat onna; Supt. Critchett, of New
Ulm, and Supt Giles, of Moorhead.
There are two vacancies in the high
school to fill, those of teacher in Ger
man and latin. Prof Uline has already
departed, and Miss Murray will resign
at the close of the school year and re-
turn to her home, but her friends hope
to see her soon locate in Mankato per-
manently. There are few if any
changes likely to occur in the grades.
The school board has not authorized
anyone to secure speaker for the grad
uation exercises although it has ap-
propriated $50 for the purpose, Supt
Varney has written informally to S. H.
Clark, Phi. B., professor of elocution of
the University of ~ Chicago, to see
whether he could give his lecture on
literature
The graduating exercises will take
place eigther June LIST, I'd or 3D.. which
date has not yet been decided. The
graduating class will number over
thirty. 40.
The junior class will will give re-
ception to the senior class, school board
and faculty on May 18th.
The matter of allowing the school
children to join in the procession on
Memorial day was talked over by the
members of she board present last
night, and favored.