Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-02-03
WOMAN INVOLVED
IN BOARD WRANGLE
Female School Commissioner
May compIicate Situation
by Declining Office.

Despite the apparent success of the
Irvington Board of Education last
night in electing representatives to
the Board of School Estimate follow
ing two-hour wrangle, more
trouble is predicted owing to the
statement today that one Of the
representatives does not intend to
serve.
This member, Miss Burnettie p.
Colt. declares she was elected after
she had left the meeting, consequent
ly without her consent, and that 1t
is very doubtful if she will accept
the office. She intimated that her
resignation will be handed in when
the board meets next Thursday ever
ming. The stress of outside work Is
another reason she gives for her in
tended action.
1t took the school commissioners
nearly two hours at last nights or
ganization meeting to elect Miss Colt.
They sandwiched lengthy and heated
discussions between the four ballots
which were taken.
Harmony prevailed during the cleo
ton of officers, resulting in the
unanimous vote of the four members
present for Rev. Uriah McClinchie for
president, succeeding George H.
Smalley, who did not wish to serve
another term. Miss Colt was re-
elected vice-president.
Argue for Two Hours.
Trouble arose when the commits
sioners took up the election of two
members to the Board of School Es-
innate. Nearly two hours were con-
sumed in doing a ten-minute act.
Miss Colt nominated Mr.. Smalley and
the latter placed Commissioner Ed
win L. Kulp in nomination. Mr..
Kulp declined to serve, declaring that
his limited length of service In the
board had not qualified him for the
Office. Though urged to accept by
President McClinchie he declined.
Miss Colt then nominated the presi-
dent, who also declined stating that
he was an ex-officio member any
way, though he would not have
vote.
Mr.. Kulp then named DR.. Albion C.
Christian just as the physician en-
tered the board room. A ballot was
taken resulting in three votes for Mr..
Smalley, two for DIR. Christian and
two blank ballots. Messrs. Smalley
and Christian were declared elected.
Miss Colt then withdrew from the
meeting.
DR.. Christian soon afterward filed
his resignation with Secretary Will
lam A. Sherman, stating as his rea-
sons, "the apparent lack of enthus-
iasm and doubtful legality of the
election" In view Of not receiving a
majority vote of the five members.
The illegality of the election being
admitted tho 1of mn
resulted in Commissioners Christian
and Smalley voting favorably and
McClinchie and Kulp refusing to vote.
On the ground that a minority ac-
ceptance of the resignation might also
be Illegal Mr.. Kulp changed to the
affirmative and the resignation was
declared accepted.
Names Woman Member.
Commissioner Kulp then renomi-
mated DR.. Christian to the estimate
board. The latter sarcastically
thanked his colleagues for the pre-
vious honor" of a minority vote and
refused to accept a second nomina-
ton. Instead, he named Miss Colt,
declaring the board had not seen fit
to elevate her to the presidency and
that 1t was no more than the duty of
the commissioners to give her the
honor"
Mr. smalley again named Mr.. Kulp,
and the ballot gave Miss Colt two
votes, Mr.. Kulp one and one ballot
blank.
Mr.. Kulp moved to adjourn and
DR.. Christian moved to adjourn until
Thursday night. President McClinchie
refused to entertain either notion,
declaring 1t was apparent that there
was an attempt to complicate the
business OF the board and block its
work. Mr.. Kulp denied emphatically
that he had such motive, but
thought an election was impossible at
the time under the circumstances.
DR.. Christian appealed from the
chairs decision. and the president
was overruled. The motions for ad-
journment were then withdrawn and
third ballot was taken, Miss Colt
and Mr.. Kulp each receiving two
votes. Again DR.. Christian wanted to
adjourn and again Mr.. McClinchie re-
iterated that the work of the board
was being blocked and that an cleo
ton should take place.
On the fourth ballot Miss Colt re-
ceived three votes to Mr.. Kulps one
and she was declared elected and tho
board adjourned. One Of the MEM
bers heatedly remarked that if these
petty chickering's continued he would
get out Of the board.
An interesting session Is expected
Thursday night when the board takes
up its work for the year.