The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-07

present in the interests of the reten-
ton of L. D. Whittemore in office.
The vote stood eight for the motion
to elect Mr.. Starr and two against,
the dissenting votes being cast by ].
w. Gleed of the Fifth ward, and James
Cuthbert of the Fourth Judge T. F.
Carver of the Fourth ward refused to
vote on the ground that more time
should be given for the consideration of
the question.
When on an informal ballot eight
votes were cast for Mr.. Starr and three
for Superintendent WhittemOre an eX-
preston of surprise and then of dis
gust was noticeable on the faces of the
delegation which was in the room. 1t
was evident that it was a cut and dried
affair.
When the question of the superin-
tendency came up for consideration
David Bowie arose and introduced Geo.
H. Whitcomb as spokesman for the del
egation before mentioned. -Four gentle
men," said he, volunteered to act as a
committee to get the sentiment of the
citizens-or some of the citizens-on
the question. They were Elon S. Clark,
W. W. Mills. Harold T. Chase, and
David Bowie.
Il judge that there are between five
and six hundred names on the petitions
circulated which include those of such
men as j. w. Robinson, S. E. Petty
john, H. A Auerbach, Charles NJ. Shell
don, J. r. Mulvane, Thomas Page F.
l. Hayes, E. C. Wilm, F. M. Spencer,
Arthur Capper, Frank Doster, Frank
K. Sanders and others.
THE petitions are the expression of
what these men believe to be the value
of Prof. Whittemore. I think it is true
that the schools in Topeka have a very
high standing Prof. Whittemore took
no part in the circulation of the
petition. His friends don't claim that
he is entitled to the credit for the ad-
Vancement of the schools, but he has
been superintendent in the remarkable
period Of growth which has been ex-
perienced. Forty per cent of the high
school students who were graduated
last year entered institutions Of higher
learning when the percentage from the
average college is about five"
The spokesman then read a letter
from Principal H. L. Miller of the Kan
sas City, Kan, high school. formerly
principal of the Topeka high school
LAS We all know Mr.. Whittemore is a
gentleman and scholar" read the let
ter. HE is a practical school man and
will always reflect credit to the city
he represents. 1t is manifestIy unjust
to discharge the man when no specifiC
charges have been brought against
him"
THE committee thinks that at least
more time should be taken in select
ing a HdIl, CODllnued Mr.. WhitcOmb
I've ask that Mr.. Whittemore be re-
tained another year with the under
standing that nothing will be said pro.
viding you find better man in the
meantime"
Short Speeches Made.
Short speeches were made in behaIt
of Mr.. Whittemore by Elon S. clark
DR.. E. S. Pettyjohn, and David Bowie
in the course of which considerable
"taffy' was fed the members of thf
board in the hopes it might be a means
of winning over the insurgents OF
the board.
When Judge Carver saw how the in.
formal ballot had been cast he arose
and said: Il think the way this boar
has gone about things is absurd anf
ridiculous. The advertisement thai
appeared in the Capital the other dan
was such as would cause A blusb II
come to the cheeks of the teachers n
the city 1 now would suggest tha-
we call for sealed bids.
Il move that further considera +ior
be postponed until the April meeting
OF the board. and that a COMMITTEES n
five be appointed for the purpose q
investigating and making a report a,