Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-03-16

L
last night, and 1t was probably tbs
liveliest that IL has ever experienced
In its history. The board met for the
purpose of electing superintendent
for the ensuing year, and immediate
W after converting entered upon this
duty, and after taking four ballots
Charles Johnson. now superintendent
Of the schools of Wardner was elect.
ed, and his salary made $4,000 a
year, contingent upon his acceptance
Petitions had been presented to the
board for the retention OF Superin.
tendent Barton by his friends. and
several OF his supporters were there
to present petitions which had been
circulated in the last week, and have
them read. A controversy was en-
tered into between the members OF
the board and the Representatives OF
the petitioners which commenced
mildly, but which finally assumed the
state of bitter and vindicitive quar-
rel between superintendent Barton
and Trustee Treff. with Chairman
White endeavoring to restore order
by shouting at the two in the slang
of the day, "cut 1t out" While this
had the effect of subsiding for the
moment the controversy, 1t did not
"cut anything out" and 1t was re-
.newed with more vigor than ever be-
tween the members OF the board and
representatives OF the petitioners.
and the board finally adjourned in
the midst OF the confusion.
Eject Johnson ON Fourth Ballot.
Prior to proceeding with the cleo
ton of superintendent the members
Of the board, except Trustee Davies,
held an executive session, and as
soon as It convened Chairman White
announced that the business of the
meeting was TO elect a superintend-
ent for the year and they proceeded
with a secret ballot. The first bal
lot resulted as follows: Wright, Vim
cent, Barton, Davis and Johnson, one
each. 1t required four to elect, and
the second ballot was taken which
resulted: Davis three, Wright, John
son and Vincent one each. This also
failed to elect. and the third ballot
was taken which resulted in giving
Wright three, Johnson, Davis, and
Miller one each. The fourth ballot
gave Wright two, and Johnson four.
Chairman White announced that the
ballot was an informal one, and a
motion was made that the election
be made unanimouss but Davis voted
against 1t, and II was lost, and a mo-
ton was made for a formal unanl-
nous ballot. and IL was also lost
Trustee Davies here wanted the Pc
titions which had been circulated
among the people for the retention
OF Superintendent Barton read.
Chairman White announced that the
election was practically over, and the
board proceeded with an informal
ballot which resulted in Johnson get
ting five and Wright one. The board
then proceeded to fix a salary, and
motion prevailed fixing the salary for
the superintendent at $4,000 year.
The clerk was directed to communi-
cate with Johnson, advising him OF
the action taken by the board with
relation to his application. and to
hold the remaining applications until
II was learned as to whether or not
johnson would accept.
4 Lively Tilt Ensues.
Petitions had been filed at a prior
meeting of the board by the friends
of Superintendent Barton for his re-
tention and several supporters were
present last night to present petitions
In his behalf and Mrs. C. A. Sheldon
arose and addressed the board.
Where are the petitions that have
been presented to this board in favor
of Superintendent Barton, she asked.
and what action has been taken In
relation to them by the board? Those
petitions represent the people. and
the people have a right to know what
disposition has been made Of them. "
Chairman White replied. Il do not
know just what to say-the people
have a right to be heard" but he was
interrupted by Mrs. Sheldon. who
said: We ask to be heard in this
matter. and II we can not be heard
here we will be heard otherwise. The
Of the city. Are you going to refuse