The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-09

Expressing regret that business cir cumstances were such that he cannot remain in Bridgeport to help carry cut certain reforms' he proposed for the board of education. ana branding as undemocatic the naming of his successor by a coterie of self ap- pointed men, Alfred E. Veness, su- perintendent of the Union Typewriter Co, and commissioner of the board of Education told the Farmer today that he hoped his successor would be named in the proper way.
 My idea is that the man to sue ceed me should come rom the Fifth district said Commissioner Veness. ..Under the system we follow of SC. lecting candidates for the various positions the Democratic party saw fit to recognize the Fifth district in the board of Education. The Fifth district Democrats were very anxious to have representation in the board of Education. They regard this body as one of the most vital in the city. It is true that we had a candidate for City Treasurer. But we regarded the board of Education as more import ant even than city treasurer. The dutiee of the latter are purely admin istrative. They call for a man of honesty and integrity. Yet if 1t came to an issue in the Fifth district the Democrats would have preferred the board of Education to the city treas- urer nomination." hs
 &'I do not want to appear" con- tir1ued Mir. Veness, 4.in the light of attempting to dictate to the board of Education who my successor shall be. That would be as undemocratic as the method that is now being brought -y- T i<ty Sx.t Democrats and myself will insist that my successor be chosen in a Demo cratic fashion.
 I've believe that we have selected a body of men to act upon such ques~ tions as these in, the intervals be- chairman and our executive commit tee. We do not see why any one else s1oufd have anything to say about. this matter.
 Tt is true that in conversation l have mentioned the names of Chris Crawford as good men for, the place. But I did not mention tMem with any idea that Wcs to name either of them as my successor.
 fsI talked with my associates on the board of education, and asked them pledges until the matter had been properly disposed of.
 My personal view of the matter is that the Fifth district should be rep resented, and that the man to be chosen should hold no other city posi- tfon, The duties of the board of Education are such that if properly attended to they will leave the occu- pant little time for any other civic work.
 Let the executive committee hear the claims of the Fifth district Demo crats. Let the committee consider such men as they may deem suitable for the position. If they see fit then to take the place from the Fifth dis trict and give it to another district, I for one shall bow respectfully to their wishes.
 But" and MT. veness spoke with consid derable determination, "I shall not submit to the naming of my suc- ceesor by any small coterie of bosses without emphatic protest
 Mir. Veness expressed regret that he couldn't remain in the board sT have been connected with the board but a short time. have been quietly watching the proceedings and making study of the methods employed, I had hoped now that I have been honored with election to the board,