Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-06-02

In reply to the ."roast" for the
board of education and more particu-
larly directed to me personally, have
thtis to say:
l have to apologize to the new re-
cruit to the republican ranks-Capt. I.
P. Baker-who is generally supposed
to be the editor of the Settler, for my
action in voting for Hon. w. N. Roach
for United States senator some twelve
years ago, and although the action
did not entirely condemn me with my
constituency, do this in all sincerity,
we'll knowing that the new leader Of
the destines of the republican party
on the Missouri Slope will still be-
lieve i'll of me in spite of my record
politically to my politi
cal downfall to which the river captain
so gleefully refers. Now as to my
actions as member of the obard-
while they may not stand out in bold
relief-yet 1 believe that they have
been for the best interest of the PEG.
pie and the whole people of Bismarck
and for the upbuilding and betterment
of our pupils and I have acted in an
honorable and conscientious manner
and when the captain or anyone else
says that there is anything rotten,
they do not state facts.
Now captain, have tried to inform
you as to my qualifications and on
this point will gladly compare my
record as member of the board with
yours when you were mayor. Particu-
lar attention is called to mounted
police and road work."
ALI teachers in the schools are
either college or normal school gradu.
ates with possibly two exceptions
and your criticism is not we'll founded
and have been informed by men who
formerly served on this board that
you are a chronic kicker. If you refer
to Mr.. Connolly as a Favored con-
tractor"-that Mr.. Wolbert a member
of the board, is Indirectly interested
l will say what you might in all fair.
ness have said, that Mr.. Wolbert made
a statement to the board that neither
he nor Mr. Grambs, individually or as
a firm, were interested in Mr.. Con.
nolly's contract and will further say
that Mr.. Connolly's combined bid was
the lowest bid and no contract has
been let in an illegal manner or in
manner not fair or honorable.
AS to the "contraband" goods taken
to school, will say that as long as
there are schools this same thing
may happen-for the good of the
school come out and be specific and it
may be that you can offer some solu-
ton that would materially aid the
board-you seem to convey the idea
that you have that specific bit of wis.
dom UP your sleeve-offer 1.-THE
board, as you say, are not "bad" and
all will gladly listen.
Now captain, it does no good to call
me "Old Cornposity" or "windy"-
grant that this is true-as a man l
am your equal in the community, at
home, or with my family, and I be.
lieve that our neighbors will speak
just as kindly of me as they will of
you, and surely those in my employ
or under me will refer to me with as
much respect, and it would be as well
to eliminate personal matters and if
you have nothing specific to charge
against the board but a personal at.
tack upon me, interspersed with gilt
tering generalities in the war of
criticisms, we had best close the con.
troversy. Respectfully.
June 2 1905. VT. Cochrane.
S1225 TO Nia0ara E,lIe and D>$u.n