The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-05-11
BEGIN FIGHT
TO CHANGE
SCHOOL HEAD
Citizens Opposing Reelection
of c. @. Williams as County
Superintendent Voice Oh
jections at Mass Meeting.
Defend PRESENT HEAD

tions were made concerning the sup
erintendent Of schools, C. o. Williams,
and demands voiced for his retirement,
contrasted with the statement of Trus-
tee Enos Veal of Williamsburg that
Il may not live until June 6, but if l
am alive on the sixth of June | will
vote and l will vote for C. o. Williams.
Serious charges by township repre-
sentatives. the announce by Will Rel
Ter that his firm had been retained to
investigate charges of unfitnesS
lodged against Mr.. Williams, were
high spots of the mass meeting held
on the third floor of the X. of P build
ing on Tuesday evening.
The meeting had been called by the
committee Of school patrons and citi-
gems Of Wayne county for the purpose
OF discussing the question of the Sc
lection of a county superintendent for
the next four years.
All citizens of the county had been
invited and a special invitation sent to
Mr.. Williams. Before the meeting was
over, however, it had become an in
dignatiOn meeting voicing opposition
TO Mr.. Williams continuance in his
present position and demanding his
retirement
Friends Present
Although Mr.. Williams was not pres
ent, his friends were in the audience
in numbers variously estimated but
enough were there TO make res
pectable showing in applause when
favorable comments on Williams were
heard. The whole county was we'll
represented, delegations being pres
ent from Jackson. Jefferson. Center,
Abingdon, Boston, Wayne. Franklin,
Green and Webster townships. Be
sides the delegations. other townships
had single representatives at the
meeting. About 200 or more were
present.
The meeting was opened by Andrew
kerber of Milton. who acted as chair
man. He stated the purpose Of the
meeting and said that as Mr.. Williams
is candidate to succeed himself he
would have an opportunity at that
time, at the beginning Of the meeting.
to explain his school policies and give
reasons for his reelection. After the
audience had preserved silence for
few minutes. kerber asked township
representatives to report the senti-
ment in their communities.
Stanford Speaks
Among the earliest to speak was
II. H. Stanford. of Greene township.
who said: Sentiment in Greene
township is decidedly against Mr.. Will
liams, but We do not know just wheth-
er we will have a vote for the super
intendent Our trustee is present and
l would suggest that he speak"
"Mr. Chairman" said Enos Veal,
Greene township trustee, as he rose.
II do not know. either. whether there
will be a vote from Greene township.
! may not live until June 6, but if |
am alive on the sixth Of June | will
vote, and will vote for c. O. Will
liams. have been over the town
ship. and | can say that at least three
fourths of the people are in favor of
Mr.. Williams.'
AS Mr.. Veal resumed his seat, vio-
lent applause broke out, which, in a
few seconds, was countered by loud
Kisses The Kisses stimulated the ap-
plause TO renewed strength. and it
was some time before the business of
the meeting could continue.
Reveal Sentiment
Other testimony from different
townships revealed marked personal
dislikcs in many instances.
The general form of reports was
iudI StIllultuL oppocCN W w II
liams in the communities, without
specific allega tions.
\ requeat of Mr.. Keller, who was at
the meeting, that facts instead OF
opinions be presented brought recita-
ZION CT several cases OF dissatisfaction
over school transfers. Stewart of JET
ferson reporting an insolent and in
Sulting reception by Williams to q
civil request for the approval OF Il
transfer application.
John Peden, OF Franklin township.
made a similar report stating that, al
though il was great Inconvenience
and expense, his child attended the
Wayne county school at distance of
several miles. and it was impossible
TO obtain transfer to Randolph coun-
~ until very recently, when a new
Indiana law made it mandatory to is
sue transfers when the distance was
less TO the other school
County Agent Stand.
When farmers spoke rs to Nr.
Williams attitude towards county
;gent work the general testimony was
to tie eject that the superintendent
had obStructed the county agent work
and had made it so unpleasant for
several agents that they had left in
NlSSuSl. w dlltl utSilulll SuSSSStNu
that question asked him by Mr.. Will
liamS as to whether he did not believe
that a county agent should be under
the control of the superintendent" was
indicative of the cause for the alleged
obstructive policy.
1t was stated. however. that Will
Inns has never openly opposed county
agent work. Simply that he had, while
protesting friendship, to the policy
used tactics that defeated the hiring
OF agents.
Grafton Stewart, farmer of Jefferson
township spoke of the superintend
ent's attitude on the county agent
question, mentioning especially misuse
OF fund of $500 that had been
donated by the farmers for use, in
hiring a county agent.
Stewart Sarcastic.
Mr.. Stewart stated that that money
got away somewhere" which brought
appreciative cIluckles from the aud
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