The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-03-28
NEWMAN AND RRIDwELL.


Mr.. Newmans fearful plant be-
cause the records of the school board
were published amply justifes The
Herald's belief that he ought to re-
sign. II do not know why this fight is
being made on me" he walls. The
unwaTranted and manifestly unfair"
Then he goes on to explain that he knew
one OF his sons was working under an
assumed name for the board because a
collection agency held a judgment
against him for an account that had
advised nor acquiesced' in the ar
rangement.
Mr.. Newman ought to tell that tale
10 the marines. He Teceipted for the
money paid to David Crockett" alias
David Crockett Newman, and some
folks would call that substantial
'acquiescence" in the use Of bogus
name on a public payroll. And it will
take considerable evidence besides
Nevman's word to convince a disgust
ed public that he did not know more
than one Of his sons was using a ne
titious name on the payrolls.
However that is a minor part of the
indictment against Newman. As one
whose fine honor was involved. he
ought 10 have been anxious to prove
that he had done nothing of which he
need be ashamed or which showed his
unftness To hold place of peculiar
responsibility. Yet when the commit
tee investigation Of board affairs
reached the payrolls, Newman, of all
men. objected to proceeding further,
and by technical objection prevented
inspection OF the rolls in public.
Why? Was it because the rolls dis
proved Bridwells yarn that Newman
did not know of his sons use Of bo-
gus name on the rolls? Was 1t be-
cause his own signature showed that
Newman had received the money for
David Crockett" and that another
roll showed the son had refused to re
ceipt for money paid to him in the
name Of Crockett?
Nat Thomas. a board member, says
very properly that the board cannot
legally expel Newman; chat it would
be merely a question of whether OF not
a member was thick-sk'nned enough
TO remain a member after such an ex-
posure." Newman's plant shows he
belongs to the pachyderms, all right,
and has no intention of resigning.
For all that The Herald thinks it
important that Newman should ere
ate vacancy in the board, and that
right promptly He is one of board
managing the most important function
OF the city's public life That board
ought TO be perfect example to the
school children of pTobity. upTightness,
devotion TO duty. For Newman TO re-
main as q member IS TO show the
school children daily that public Office
is a private snap, that nepotism in Of
fee is desirable; that subterfuge. con-
cealment. evasion of obligation are no
bar to membership In the board Of
education.
Mr.. Newman Is exaggerating his
personal Importance in assuming that
important only as he represents the
violation of the principles that should
guide man in his position. The real
fight is against the idea that such an
Office can be abused, as il has been,
and the offender retain his place as
though he had observed ALI the pro-
prieties. appreciated the high respon-
sibilities and deserved the confidence
The board a. a body has enjoyed.
AS for the man Bridwell. who car
rled out the plan for the use of bogus
names on the payrolIs. no more need
be said than that he ought TO be dis
placed. He evidently has used his po-
sition TO fatten the incomes of his
family and relatives, as well as to dis
burse money freely to the family of at
least one member ii the board. His
explanations of the payroll business
have been shifty and contradictory.
There are still two payrolls to be ac-
counted for. and they were last heard
from in his possession. he couldn't
hold his Job twenty -four hours in any
private corporation once it was shown
TIA, he had handled the business as he
mas his work for the board.
Newman may be thick-skHned
enough to retain his place, though he
is siiscredised and his usefulness gone
forever: but Bridweli can keen his job
only by permission OF majority OF