The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1907-04-18
PROF. KBMPLB.
Acute Troubles in the Water.
town School Board-Ques-
ton of Veracity.

Watertowp, April 17.-Watertown' &
school war has resolved itself into an
issue of yeracity between the superin-
tendent Of the city schools, K.
L. Kemple, and the president OF the
school board, O. H. Tarbell, and has
about reached the last stage.
Mr.. KempIe charged the president of
the school board with demanding and
accepting commissions from teachers
employment agency, and then giving
only teachers employed through that
agency positions in the schools, thus
making snug little sum for himself.
Mr.. Tarbell refuted the charge, and
demanded an investigation of his Office
by the city council which was denied
because of lack of authority. He then
challenged and demanded Kemple to
produce the evidence he had against
him at an open meeting Of the school
board to be held for that purpose.
This meeting was held last night and
resulted in a complete vindication Of
Mr.. Tarbell, and confusion and humili
alton for the superintendent. Both
sides were represented by attorneys,
and the "trial' proceeded in true legal
style.
Kemple was put on the stand and
sworn, and after eliminating the mass
of irrelevant testimony he offered, the
one thing he had to base his charge on,
an alleged statement of Mr.. Tarbell S
to him that he (Tarbell) had an "un-
derstanding' with the Anna Thurston
Teachers Employment agency, of Chi
cago.
The defense produced an affidavit of
Miss Thurston's reciting that COM
mission had never been requested by,
offered to, or accpeted by Mr.. Tarbell
from her agency, as it was not the GUS
tom, and had never been the policy of
the agency to give commissions for the
placing of teachers, but that in the
case of one r. l.. Kemple she had made
an exception on account OF his insist
ent entreaties and demands, and be-
cause it seemed hard for him to pay his
note, and consented at one time to al
low him 80. 80 on his note for every
teacher he had placed, and another
time $5 for similar service. That
this was done as a favor to Mr.. KEN
pie and not as policy of her agency
she accompanied the affidavit with the
original letters from Kemple asking for
the commission.
The tables were completely turned.
Furthermore Mr.. Tarbell accused Kem-
pie of having rifled his private desk in
search of evidence" against him, ex-
tracing theroform all his correspon-
dence with the agency. The charge
was denied, though the superintendent
had to admit that the missing letters
were in his possession.
Mr.. Tarbell is we'll known in the
north half of the state, having been one
of Watertown's leading business men
for the last twenty years and his friends
feel jubilant over the thoroughness of
his vindication.
Mr.. Kemple was the superintendent
of the Madison schools last year. His
actions here were so discourteous to the
teachers that practically the whole
force united in q petition to the board
asking for his removal. and stating that
if he should be retained another year
they would all resign. The petition
was backed by some very grave charges
and the board called for his resigna
tion. This he refused to give, and re-
taliated by the charge Of graft against
the president of the board, which is
now disproved. What the outcome
will be is not known. but many Of the
patrons Of the schools are demanding
that be be relieved Of his Office at once
and leave town.