Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-04-17
IN CONTROL
OF the School Board.
Anti Thomas Forces
Elected the President.
Mr.. E. (. Otis Outlines
His Position.
An Attempt Made to Increase
Salary
OF Clerk Shirer Was kiIled-Presi-
dents Address.

The anti-Thomas forces have com
pletc control of the Board Of Education.
This was demonstrated by the contest
for the presidency of the new Board.
Il. II. Otis, the candidate of the anti
Thomas faction was elected over DR..
f. G. Reed. the nominee of the Thomas
members by Il vote of S 10 T. Mr.. Otis
was placed in nomination by +. g..
Fresc of the Third ward. Col. Gibbons
Of the Fifth nominated pr. Reed. In
doing so he made n fcw remarks rela
tive to the long and honest service of
the member from the Sixth. Mr. Frcse
made no nominating speech. There
was no second to the nomination of DR..
+. C. Reed
Mr.. Kelly. seconded the nomination
of Mr. Otis.
In accepting the presidency of the
Board, Mr.. Otis clearly defined his po-
sition in the supcrintendency contest.
He made no effort to beat around the
bush
After the meeting one member of the
Beard expressing himself on the speech
of acceptance said. MIR. Otis hit
straight from the shoulder when he
said, The schools of our city cannot
be successful unless the head of the
educational department has the con-
tidcncc of the Bourd.' 1t is our duty 10
solve the present conditions, having on
ly the best interests of the school ut
heart"
Now that the nntis are in position
to dictate the policy of the Board there
| is fnuch speculation as to what course
will he pursued in reference to the SUI
pcrintcndcncy. 1t was said by an anti
Thomas member last night that the
| Board would do one of three things.
1t would either ask Prof. Thomas To
resign in accordance with an agree
ment made last year in which he is al
legged TO have promised to resign at the
end of the school year, OF it would SO
limit his duties that lie will be little
more than II figurc-head. He would
have nothing to do with the employ
ment of the teachers and very little
power in their management. Provided
neither of the above propositions is
deemed advisable the Board will tie
up his salary, thus forcing him to sue
the Board. This would place him on
the offensive and at the same time
give the Board an opportunity TO test
the legality of his contract. 1t has
long been claimed that the contract
was illegal
VOTED DOWN AN INCREASE.
The new Board demonstrated that
it intends to make Il record for econ
omy. An effort was made to increase
the salary of Clerk Shirer. 1t failed 10
meet with the approval of majority
of the members, He was nominated
for reelection by Mr.. Frese of The
Third ward Mr. Kelly Immediately
offered an amendment recommending
that the sala ry be increased $500 per
year by making il Sl400 instead OF
$1,000 as heretofore. Mr.. Slabaugh
who had seconded Mr.. Fresc's motion
to rc-clcct Mr.. Shlrer, refused the
amendment. 1t was seconded by Mr.
Frese. The vote stood six for and six
against the amendment. Those who
voted in favor of the increase were
Messrs. Kelly. Frcse, Otis, Millikin,
Kingsbury and Harpham. Those who
voted in the negative were: Messrs.
S;lalaugh. IIartzcll, Endress, Talcott,
Reed and Gibbons, After the amend
ment had becnr defeated the Board
unanimously reelected Mr.. Shircr
clerk.
Mr.. Otis will announce his commit
tees at special meeting of the Board
!. "Wednesday night. At tho same time a
committee, consisting of Messrs. Frcsc
Slabaugh and Kingsbury will report