The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-05-14
Present Superintendent is Continued
in Business by a Rump Session
OF Board tuesday Night.
DEMOCRATS ONLY IN ATTENDANCE
Election May Be Contested by the Republic
Been Taken.-Other Business.

Norman L. Baker has been reelected
superintendent of the city schools for
the balance of the present year. This
action was taken at the meeting of the
School Board Tuesday night and while
the legality of the action of the Board
is questioned it is probable that Mr..
Baker will be able to hold the Office by
hook or crook of law throughout the
year.
The election was accomplished by
the Democrats of the Board, not sim
gle Republican member being in at
tendance when the vote was taken.
Tuesday afternoon it was reported
about the city that one Of the Demo
cratic members of the Board was out
of the city and the Republicans know
| ing that if this was the case the Demo
Gratis would not appear at the meeting
remained home. At eight o'clock one
/! of the Republican members went up to
the city hall but not single member
of the Board was at the meeting place.
At this time the Democratic members
of the Board were at the Office of their
dictator formulating plans which
should land Baker in Office.
Just before half past eight, a half
hour after,the hour set for the meeting,
the Democrats went in body to the
city hall. Mr.. Baker was with them
and his presence made it possible for
Chairman Jacoby to declare quorum
present. The Board did not take much
time for business and nothing was
done until the head of unfinished bust
ness was reached, when Commissioner
eraser, of the Eighth, got up and
made speech in which he stated that
there was no unfinished business ex-
cept the election of superintendent.
He questioned the legality of the &C
ton of the Board but in the end over
came any idea of legal rightness and
moved that the Board proceed to an in
formal ballot for the Office. ''Friday"
Saftig was on hand with second for
the motion and the grand coupe was
on.
Chairman Jacoby, peering over the
edge of his glasses, concluded that one
teller was all that was necessary and
named Commissioner Sullivan. 1t was
hard duty for some of the commits
sioners but Others realized that the
chance had come. There was no close
scrutiny of the ballots when they were
had been thrown from the hat the
chairman announced that Baker had
received all the votes. The announce
| ment came as great surprise to the
members of the Board present and
eraser, fearing that one of the Re-
publicans might come in before the
coupe was concluded, moved at once
that the ballot be declared formal.
Jacoby found that the motion had
been carried and with pomposity SIM
liar to an elephant in circus parade
he declared with feeling that Norman
| L. Baker had been elected superintend-
ent of the schools. A sickly smile
played over the lips of the superintend-
ent-elect and for moment it looked
as if he would speak and thank the
members for the unexpected honor.
! But his emotion was so great that he
only bit his lips the harder and left the
speech over for later time.
The action Of the Democrats Of the
Board in electing Baker is questioned
by the Republicans of the Board and
it is possible that the matter will be
carried into the courts. Little can be
gained in that action as the superin-
tendent would be able to stretch the
case out for an indefinite time and in
this manner hold the Office against one
half of the members of the Board. The
election of Baker will undoubtedly dis
turb the harmony of the Board and it
is possible that some of the Republi-
can mem bers will refuse to serve with
the officer elect.
After the superintendent had been
elected the Democratic members of the
Board did not care for any other bust
ness and after few bills had been al
lowed the Board adjourned.
According to the rules of the Board
the term of Mr.. Baker as superintend
ent will begin this morning. The next
meeting of the Board is month away
and nothing to unseat Baker can be
done until that time.