The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-08
LOSES HIS HEAD.
Judge 7. F. Carver Becomes Ex-
cited at School Meeting.
Calls President SwendsOn Cow.
ardIy Cur and Other Things.
HOW 1T ALL STARTED
SwendsOn Sharply Critfcises
Board Members in Report.
Said Carver Was Attorney for
Contracting Firm.
HOW 1T ALL STARTED

for many months, and board members
INDUCED in personalities which were
far from polite in their nature-in
fact. Mrs. c. ]. Evans. one of the
women members of the board, deemed
| it wise to leave the room until the
smoke cleared away.
1t was all over the old controversy
in regard to the furnishing of ma
terials to contractors by board mem
bers, and the actual battle was be-
tween Carver, Nicholson and Cuthbert
VS.. President SWendson with a crowd
of spectators cheering the combatants.
war of words occurred when two bills
were presented by the chairman of the
finance committee, A. V. LindelI,
which had not been endorsed by the
committee. One of the claims had
been presented by J. B. Belts for work
done on the addition to the Monroe
street building and amounted to $4,-
793.4O, and the other handed in by
Moore & Vicklund aggregating- &c.
647.54, being for work on the State
Street school addition. The contention
was that these contractors had pur-
chased materials from the firms of Gil
lette & Nicholson and Cuthbert & Son
when the board had passed a resolu-
ton a few months previous declaring
against any member of the board Of
education furnishing the board with
material or supplies of any kind.
Carver Opens the Battle.
Seems to me there ought to be in
telligence enough on the part of GER
tain board members to understand the
decision of the court said Judge Gar
yer. 1.-The court decided that it was
not of the boards business where they
get their material. The contractor has
a right to buy wherever he can buy
best. don't care anything about your
resolution
should live I'D to it."
J. B. Belts: "Mr Cuthbert's bid
on cut stone was low enough to enable
me to get the contract for the work
on the Monroe building"
Nicholson: 81 am certain that Gil
lette and Nicholson will lose no bust
ness on account of the foolish action
of certain members of the board
Swendson: THE gentlemen will re-
frain from making remarks deroga-
tory to the action of the board"
Nicholson: THE question has no
concern with the board Of education"
Cuthbert: "Tll be citizen in
few minutes, and I want to say that
to-"
Holiday: 1--WE passed a resolution
that the board would not do this sort
courteous and let's be gentlemen
There are ladies here
Mrs Evans: Il voted in favor of
the resolution, but I am now in favor
of allowing the bills. In the future we
they are not to purchase material
from board members
Smith, Holiday, Lindel1 Mrs Nc
Carter and Swendson voted against the
| allowing of the bills, while Nicholson
Mrs Evans, Cuthbert and Carver took
the opposite stand, although Judge
Carver INN diately asked to have his
vote changed.
The real clash did not come until
after President Swendso.' had finished
| reading his report for the year which
was a voluninOus affair and took I'D
the controversy of the past year in
detail. The inSinuatiOn was made that
Notwithstanding the resolution which
had been passed by the board that
Three members Of this board are at
this time interested directly or indirect
ly in claims that must como to this
board in conflict with the policy or
resolution passed by the board 1 am
advised by Messrs. Moore & Vickland,
contractors on the State street build
ing, that the holdover member of the
board from the First ward solicited
and mas been awarded a subcontract
covering two or three carl, ads OF ce-
ment to be used in the State street
building I am advised by the fore
man for Mr.. Belts. contractor on the
Monroe street building, that the retfr-
ing member from the Fourth ward.
has a subcontract to furnish a part of
the store for such building: and 1 am
advised by the foreman for Lewis &.
Kitchen. contractors for the dry closet
system, being installed in the Lafay-
cite, Branner and State street schools,
! that the holdover member of the boar
from the Fourth ward, is the attorney
and legal representative OF such con-
tractors, in connection with their con
tracts and dealings with this board
| all OF which personal interests of the
three members mentioned, nay reCuir ,
| them to serve and protect such per-
sonal interests, to the disadvantage
and even injury of the real interests
and welfare of the school funds and the
schools.
Il am confident that the resolution
passed by the board is a safe ground.
clear of all possible groundwork for
wrong or fraud. and if faithfully OBJ
served. will clear the BE- of al
charges of completely, made by COM
petitors to furnish labor and material
for the use of the schools, and by con-
tractors and others, seeking to Ss-rrish
labor, material. legal services nr any
thing else in connection with +he bust
ness of the schools"
Carver Uses Ugly Language.
Judge Carver Immediately arose and
| it was evident that there was some
thing DOING
7 regret that the president of this
/ board with his expiring breath fol
| which the board is to be congrat uIa-
ted - began the judge--and h re Presi-
| no gentle facial expires sion and ths
speaker went on to tel the board mem
bers what he thought of the president
of the board for his destinations.
You may attack me- said Mr.
Swendson, but remember your re-
marks must cover the action of the
/ board
Carver: My remarks VIII cover YOU
attack on me in which you insinuat t.
my vote here has be@A Influenced.
| wish +o say that I do nat believe thai
you were informed aEp such thing; j
! so your informant was an infamous
| liar I have been attorney for the firm
I in matters in the southern part OF the
state but never in connection with &
/ contract affecting this .3oard."
EIor., tl,n ra.r-afl Of the s.llan Irar- tefa~rad