Evening journal., 1921-05-03

tives OF the s5 different organiza-
tions present. II anything. there was
surplus OF eagerness to espouse the
cause Of various candidates. This
resulted at times in several persons
attempting to obtain the floor ani
speak at once. Motions. substitute
motions, amendments TO motions,
withdrawal of motions and other
parliamentary complexities also oc-
CURED. Clarence J. Pyle, chairman
of the executive committee, who pre-
sided, patiently smoothed out the
conflicting currents and gave every
one fullest opportunity to be heard.
Once an excited delegate said
something about "steam roller
methods, but the committee promptly
squelched the delegate and the idea
Later. the openness OF the proceed
ings was demonstrated by the COM
mittee taking rising votes on each
! OF the candidates proposed by the
subcommittee on nominations.
It was significant OF the general
spirit of "get-together" and the de-
sire to obtain the best possible ticket
that the balloting in every instance
was overwhelmingly in favor OF the
candidate put forth by the nominat-
] ing committee.
At the outset a platform was
adopted. This embraces a call for a
| progressive business administration
of the schools of the city and the
employment by the new Board Of
Education of a business manager and
| purchasing agent.
1t also was decided that the sub
committees on publicity and printing
and on speakers should be made a
part OF the committee on conduct OF
I the campaign. Charles Warner sug
gested this coordination of effort.
and his suggestion was unanimously
approved.
Wealth of Good Material.
Chairman Pyle next recounted
some OF the difficulties which had
been met by the subcommittee on
nominations. The canvass of can
dates, he said. had been most thor
ough. It was impossible to please
everybody, Mr. Pyle continued, so
the subcommittee on nominations
had made its selections on the basis
of the qualifications OF the candi-
dates plus probable approval by the
general public.
The finance committee reported
that money for the campaign al
ready was being received. Sugges-
ton that a contributing member
ship at 81 per head was made and
adopted. Joseph IT. Martin, chair
man Of the committee on publicity
and printing. reported that II was
ready to begin active work any time.
Here Mr.. Norris chairman Of the
nominating committee. took the
floor
we have had some job!" he ex-
claimed, THE committee has put
in II days and 13 nights, and hard
ly has finished yet. We received
the names of 100 possibilities, and
selected Al as those of persons
qualified oserve. or these Al we are
compelled to recommend the names
OF only seven--an almost impossi-
BILE task
The committee tried TO selec,
! candidates under four general divi.
, sions Of the city: East and west OF
Market street, and north and south
OF Eighth street. But we found thi,
} scheme virtually impossible. Their,
, never was such an election as thi,
r before. Then. too, we have to con
: slider the women voters. That ais,
= is new"
Z Mr.. Morris said the committe
z had unanimously agreed that tn
] ticket should be composed OF twl
o white women, four white men. an,
one man or woman representing tn,
/ colored race. He then read the lis
Of two white women and four whit,
men, which were later chosen as
candidates. As to the colored rep
resentative, Mr.. Morris, said. the
committee had only been in session
one day when il found sharp di-
vision of opinion among the colored
people as TO who should represent
them. There were two factions. one
represented by Or. Conwell Banton.
and another by J. Victor Dorrell.
BantOn Faction Unyielding.
The committee could not favor
/ Doctor Banton" continued Mr. Nor.
l ris, because OF his unprogressive
- stand in the present School Board
o. and because of his opposition to tn,
a seven-member bill. But Doctor Ban
- ton wouldn't withdraw. One sid,
n would have nobody but Banton; tn,
other wanted anybody except Ban
ton"
In this dilemma Mr. Morris sai
:, the committee had selected DR.. $. G
Ebert, a well-konwn colored physi
=. clan and successful business man.
Mr.. Warner and DR. Robert Watt
, superintendent of the Wilmington
District Of the Methodist Conference
praised the committees selection,
y Doctor Watt said he knew every can
= didate personally, and better selec
i tion could not have been maze.
e Here DR.. Henry Y. Arnett, leade
3. OF the Banton faction, said he ha
e understood the names recommends
{ by the subcommittee were 10 b
9 submitted 20 the entire Citizen
I I School Committee His stand pro
% voked a lively discussion. in whicl
= many delegates, including Louis A
deBlois and Miss Mary Il. Dorsey
participated.
e The question was settled by Leoi
: Ryan. secretary, reading the lette
calling the meeting. This call spe
officially stated that the session woul,
be held for the express purpose o.