The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

A llv mviivgw NEWTOWN l! SCHOOL BO A.RD. | The First Meeting of the New Board. Lively Proceedings. The Newly-elected Chairman, leaves the Chair. On Thursday evening last the first meeting of the new Board Nas held at the Board-room, New Church- street, when there were present Messrs William Cooke, Evan Humphreys, John Humphreys, W. F. Thomas, Alfred Ford, Thomas Rees, Barker Halliwell, and Mr Edward Powell, elerk. Mr E. Humphreys proposed that Mr Barker Halli- well take the choir pro tern. Mr W. F. Thomas seconded the proposition, and it was carried. The Chairman said that the first business was the election of chairman and vice-chairman. THE ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Mr J. Humphreys proposed that Mr W. Cooke be the chairman. Mr Thomas said he had great pleasure in seconding the proposition. In Mr Cooke they had a gentleman "¡o had had numberless years of scholastic experi- and in him they would have a gentleman who conduct the duties of the chair, and who would "n all kine" f extraneous matters which un- Kelon0ed to the old Boards, and he was I conduct the Board upon very different who conducted it before. Speeches were n their place and he did not intend to ,h to occupy their time that evening. ets c-sid that he would like to ask one t fore they proceeded with the election of It was rumoured about the town that tion had been settled some days ago. If it » protested against such proceedings, and 'lJ s an insr-It to a number of persons brought o fleet a chairman, when one had already Jed upon by a portion of the Board. Per- Chairman would answer hid question if it sor The Chairman I do not think it is a fit or proper lestiou to put and I must overrule it. Mr T Bees What was tho result of the conference called on March 30th at the Newtown Coffee Booms, when six out of the sevea members of the Board were Invited to be present? The Chairman: I am not entitled to answer that question. Mr T. Rees: I think that you are entitled to xnswer it. Will you let it so forth to the public that ich a conference was held P I was invited to such conference. Was that so, Mr Cooke ? Cooke: No conference was held. r T. Rees I intended to propose the name of Mr td Ford for the position of chairman of this ol Board, and my reason for doing so was be. e that Mr Ford was vice-chairman of the old "d, and as such I think he is entitled to the nr, if there is any honoar due to the person who in the chair The next reason was this-Mr was looked upon as the prime mover in the )f the old Board. That policy was circulated the town, and also upon +he platform, and led from house to hons, and the people were to give their verdict and sweep Mr Ford from 3ent Board. ooke: I rise to protest against such state- Chairman; This matter does not effect the n. Proceed to the election of chairman and airman. rord said he must confess that he had been at i number of meetings of the Board, perhaps than any member present, but never in the of his experience had he heard such language the chair as he regretted h" had heard that He was hoping that the gentlemen who made Board would not ha.v" used their power with. tub dome little degree of decency, and it was very evident to him that they were prepared to take the 1ther course, and if that was so he was quite willing M declare at once, before going any further, war to the knife. They could do their utmost to suppress others as they seemed inclined to do, but he was not going to be put down easily. He would tell them at once that he did not want to rise any unpleasant or unKiudiy feelings more than had already been raised over that unfortunate question, but if there were to be rows they could depend upon him taking his share in the fray. He had been a member of the School Board for about ten or twelve years, and he had taken part in the election of three chairmen at various times. The first of them was the late Mr Thorne, a gentleman old in years, and ripe in experi- ence, a lover of children, and a man who took the greatest possible interest in the schools, and who paid, perhaps, more attention to the conduct of the schools, and the conduct of the children, and the general progress of education in Newtown, than any other man during the time that he was alive, and he departed from amongst them honoured by everyone who knew him a man who would sooner cu'; off his right hand, or pluck out his right eye, rattier than sell himself for office or anything else. The next election he took part in was that of Mr R. Lloyd, after the death of Mr Thorne, and he said again, as he had said before, that it was one of the greatest regrets of his life that he voted against his friend, Mr .Tames Hall, and in favour of Mr Lloyd. He did aot, want to rake up old animosities-(applause)-aud he was quite willing to leave that buried in the dust. Baring the term of Mi. Lloyd's chairmanship there was a regular bear-garden in that room, as was well- known. The next Board came there in a majority, ietermined to do certain /-Work, and they d it under the guidance of Mr Parry Jones, oung man in years but old in experience, and with nse of justice which a man needed to do what was and ast, and he was also a man who would 'ee' led it utterly disgraceful and dishonourable ve sola himself to the enemy. It was under- tood in a constitutional country and neighbonrhood that majorities rule. Well, now the composition of the Board was rather peculiar. There were four Churchmen, and there were three Nonconformists. I There vi,,re fo-ar Liberals, and there were three Tories. Mr E. Humphreys What have politics to do with it i I always leave mine outside the Board. Mr Ford said he was not going to talk politics. If be transgressed the rules of fair debate he was quite willing to be called to order; but Mr Evan Humphreys knew well enough that the late School Board Eleotion was fought upon political grounds. They had had the Tory club at their back, and the Liberal club was at the back of the Liberal four, and he was the odd man out before the election, but the odd man in before it ended. It was a rather singular state of affairs and he wanted them to bear in mind what he had to say, because he would have to be rather personal that night. There was a meeting held 4t the Victoria Hall to select candidates for the election by the Liberal party. He maintained that that meeting had been packed—undoubtedly so. The result was that four members were selected at that meeting, and were selected in such a manner as not to receive the confidence of the public. He believed that Mr Cooke was the lowest of the four, and he was a few votes behind Mr Cooke. In connection with that affair there was a statement made that Mr Cooke who was a Liberal, or who was always supposed to be one, and also a paid agent of the Libera! association Mr Cooke Please not bring thtit in or else I shall have to bring something up. Mr W. F. Thomas It has nothing to do with the question at all. Mr Ford You will see directly. Mr Evan Humphreys Call him to order, Mr Chair- man. Is there any amendment before the Board ? Mr W. F Thomas: It has nothing whatever to do with the question. Mr Ford (continuing): Previous to that meeting there was an understanding between some of tho Liberal members and Mr Evan Humphreys, and a certain arrangement made that supposing they were not selected at the particular meeting of the Liberal party Mr John Humphreys I give it a blank denial. Mr Cooke And I giv3 it a blank denial. Mr E. Humphreys And I also give it a blank denial. Mr W. F. Thomas I do not see why we are having all this. We don't want to talk about the Liberal lub or Conservative Club. We came here to do 'ness. A. Ford We shall do business in a very much time if you will only allow me to proceed and upt me. Humphreys: We must appeal to the chair. rd said he would maintain that Mr Cooke and proper person to occupy the chair That was his argument. Question. 1 that previous to that meeting there ,t between certain Liberals and regard to that meeting that if by that particular meeting of ld run with certain Tories as That got abroad through the sown, an at the following week Mr J. Humphreys and Mr Cooke thought it necessary to ieny that arrangement at a second meeting. Follow- ing that, came the day of the poll. On the day of the poll, he was standing at the end of New Church-street, when Mr Evan Humphreys came up with the Express in his hand with the report of the last Liberal meeting, and he said Look what these fellows have been sayinc. They have misrepresented it alto- gether." Very well, they could not have misrepre- sented it unless there was something that had taken place. Mr E. Humphreys: I did not say so. Mr A. Ford (continuing) said there were several about at the time who also heard the words used. Well, now they came to the election. The four Liberal candidates agreed to run together. If honour- able men agreed to an undertaking they ought to carry it out, and if they did not then they were dishonour- able. There was Mr E. Morgan, popular and a highly respected young man, and Mr Reea, another young man. just entering into public life. and who would probably take an active part in public matters in the future, also highly respected in the neighbourhood, was the lowest at the poll, and Mr Morgan did not get in. Why r Because his Liberal friends, the candi- dates, sold him. There was no question about that. The Chairman, Messrs John Humphreys, Wm. Cooke, and W. F. Thomas got up, and protested against Mr Ford's speech. The Chairman I over-rule you sir, as you are undoubtedly out of order. John Humphreys: You make charges against us which are not true! Mr Cooke: They are all untruths. Mr Ford said that he had a perfect right to speak, and if the chairman over-ruled him he would appeal to the clerk, whose knowledge of how meetings were conducted was greater than that of any man present that evening. He appealed to Parliamentary prac- tice, that when a man was in a situation such as he was, and bringing a case against a certain pro- position considerable latitude was allowed and he claimed under the circumstances of the case, that he was entitled to considerable latitude another reason why he said that the person named was not a fit person to take the chair, was, because of his irritable temper and he may almost say loss of character. He had formerly held Mr Cooke in great esteem, and they had worked together for a long period on the Local Board, but his want of courtesy to his opponents at the recent election made him feel certain if he was appointed to the chair, it would be a discredit to the Board. Mr Cooke (to the Chairman): Did I do so ? The Chairman I do uot think it is a mutter to be gone into. W. F. Thomas: It is all folly. Mr Ford said that after the election, the same week, Mr Cooke took the responsibility of inviting members of the Board to a conference at the Cocoa Rooms. There wa8 no question about that, besause Mr Rees received a letter to the effect, inviting him to attend. Mr Cooke Not from me. Mr Keen A verbal message from yourself, Mr Cooke. Mr Ford (continuing): A verbal message inviting Mr Bees to the conference. Not the whole of the mem- bers of the Board-that would not answer at all; but inviting Mr Reea and others to meet. Not only his own party but his opponents as well, and that was not the first meeting-nor the only meeting that he called. Mr Cooke: I never called one meeting. Mr Ford said Mr Rees was invited to attend, but in consequence of a letter which appeared in the Express on the following Tuesday Mr Cooke feared to call another meeting; but meetings were held in a different manner. Mr Cooke was credited with another statement to the effect that he was entitled to the position of Chairman on account of age and experience. He could not help thinking that a man who had acted as Mr Cooke had over the affair, not only by his opposition to the action of the Board during the last two or two-and-a-half years, had been guilty of utter hypocrisy, as he could not serve two masters. He was paid by the Liberals and served the Tories the same time. He had also en- deavoured to crush out the only candidate of the old Board at the recent election. (" Cries of question.") The town had clearly shown by the ballot box in the polling booth- Mr E. Humphreys Plumpers. Mr Thomas All plumpers. Mr Ford said those were his reasons, although he had given them he knew the motion would be carried. His opposition would not prevent it. If Mr Cooke had been a man of honour he would not have treated with the opposition party, on purpose to hoist him- self into an office, which ir his humble opinion he was not fit to fill- Mr E. Humphreys, referring to Mr Ford's long, poor, and scurrilous speech, said he would reply to two things. Mr Rees said that it was an insult to the Board that any party should arrange the appoint- ment of chairman otherwise than in the room. If Mr Rees had known as much about the old Board as he did he would be aware that the appointment of chairman had always been arrarged previous to the meeting, so as to prevent any unseemly remarks, so the matter was fully discussed outside, and there was nothing wrong, or a discredit to the Buard if the majority agreed to select their chairman outside. The only thing he wished to touch upon in Mr Ford's opeech-which he considered unworthy of him-was that he he d said that Mr Cooke and Mr J. Humphreys had been calling meetings with their opponents, and once and for ever he would say that he and Mr Cooke were not opponents. The policy that he adopted at the last Board was one shared by those two gentle men, and publicly expresfed by them at public meetings. He could not unaerstand why Mr Ford should call them opponents because they differed in political opinions, and he was sorry that Mr Ford had so-ned the seeds of discord in the new Board. Since he had had the honour of being a member of the Board be had always left his political opinions out of the Board. There was no reason whatever beca-usetbe two gentlemen differed to him politically that they should be opponents upon the Board. They had come there with one desire, to further the education of the children and to effect an economical saving in the rates. He had no doubt that Mr Ford's speech was made simply made to go forth in the press. Mr J. Humphreys said he was sorry that Mr Ford had driven out of the coarse that evening. He denied in public that he bad had anything to do with any party, and he thought that that ought to be sufficient for the members of the Board. He had not seen the gentleman who nominated him at the Liberal meeting, and that he had made any arrangement with Mr E. Humphreys was entirely false from beginning to end. He had made no understanding with Mr Cooke or Mr Humphreys in any shape or form. Mr Ford: Mr Evan Humphreys told me so. Mr E. Humphreys I did not do EO, Mr J. Humphreys: It is entirely false. I had no understanding with any man, and I think that is sufficient. I am sorry that it was referred to. In reference to the other matter that one of the gentle- men nominated by the Liberal party was left out, I say that it was not owing to me. Certainly not. I did not do much canvssing, but when persons offered me plumpers I told them to divide them fairly, and give one to each of the four Liberal candidates, because we wanted to get onr four men in. Mr Cooke said that he was not going to enter into any long, wordy harangue over the matter. The whole of what Mr Ford had said was quite false. There was not the least foundation for it, unless it existed in his own imagination. With regard to the packed meeting, he was told by those who were present that it was one of the best represented meet- ings ever held. Three years ago had it been called a packed meeting, when there only 40 present, and 11 out of the number non-alectors, Mr Ford would have kicked against it. With reference to the other statements, he was quite prepare.! to d:al with them at the proper time and place. He need not refer to the signal given at the window on the election even- in?, which was sufficient to cause a riot. =Mr Ford Charge me with incitmg a riot! Mr Cooke: A signal of that kind was given at Montgomery, and he kn^w what the result was there. It was unbecoming, and the returning officer stated so at the time. The Chairman It has been proposed by Mr John Humphreys, and seconded by Mr W. F. Thomas, that Mr Cooke be elected chairman. Any amend- ment? The motion was then put, and Messrs J. Hum- phreys, E. Humphreys, and W. F. Thomas voted for it, and it was carried. Mr Ford voted against it, and Mr Kees did nut vote. Mr Halliwell then left the ahair, and Mr W. Cooke proceeded to the head of the table. The Chairman said he had to thank them for appointing him. He was not anxious for it, but he was only anxious that one of their party should be appointed. Mr Ford Question. The Chairman It is no matter for question at all. He would endeavour to carry out the dutied en- trusted to him, but if persons came there to cause obstruction they must reap their own r /ard. As to what had been said that night he would pass it over. THE ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN. THE CHAIRMAN IN A FIX. Mr Thomas said that he had great pleasure in pro- posing Mr E. Humphreys as vice-chairman. He was the oldest member of the School Board present, and, considering that he had given some six years of his time to the interests of the town, and had done a great deal of good work, he did not think they could do better than by strengthening the hands of the chairman than by appointing him vice-chairman.: Mr Barker Halliwell seconded the motion. « Mr Ford said he rose to take exception to the I remark of Mr W. F. Thomas, that Mr Evan Hum- phreys was the oldest member of the Board present. That was wrong, as he had been a member of the School Board for double that time. Mr Evan Humphreys: Question. Mr Ford No question at all. Mr E. Humphreys has been on the School Board for six years, I have been eleven years. Mr Evan Humphreys: Consecutively? Mr Ford No, no. Mr Thomas That was what I meant. Mr Ford said that he was eight years consecutively and stood three elections besides. He rose to propose an amendment, but he did so without very much confidence of it being passed. He did so on purpose to express his opinion with regard to a man who was starting public life of the kind for the first time, and although they had differed very oonsiderably in the past, yet he hoped that they would come to know each other better in the future. Inasmuch as he represented a large class in Newtown, being one of them, he had taken a rather active part in public life, but not upon the School Board or any other public elected Board, he thought they would be doing him no more than justice when he proposed that Mr John Humphreys be vice-chairman of the Board. He thought he would make a very good working member, who would take the trouble to go into the matter thoroughly and understand the working of the schools, and although he might not be well informed upon the school matters at present, he felt sure he would go to work and make himself master of all the necessary details. Mr Rees seconded the proposition. The Chairman put the amendment, when Messrs A. Ford, T. Rees. and J. Humphreys voted for it, and Messrs E. Humphreys, W. F. Thomas, and B. Halliwell against it. The Chairman: I did not vote upon it. Is it abso- lutely necessary that I should do so r The Clerk Yes, it is. Mr J. Humphreys: I am sorry that the Chairman has waived that question. I think it his duty 16 decide. The Chairman hesitated for some time to give his casting vote. The Clerk stated that it was necessary to appoint both a chairman and a vice-chairman. The Chairman asked if he could put the original motion. Mr Ford: That is a rather curious way. Mr J. Humphreys: I was very muoh surprised tbat Mr Ford mentioned my name. I thought that he was going to propose Mr Rees, but if Mr Cooke pledged my name in the matter he should not have done no. Mr Ford: I am glad Mr John Humphreys has spoken in the way he has. I think it shows that he is made of the right material, and I hope those who voted for him will stick to their text. Mr W. F. Thomas The matter is in your hands, Mr Chairman, The Chairman: Yes, I am quite aware. 1 Five minutes had now fully elapsed since the vote had been taken. Mr E. Humphreys: It is in your casting vote. You have no vote. The Chairman: No, but it must be a casting vote. Mr W. F. Thomas We had better adjourn. The Chairman: I was thinking whether I had better vacate the chair. That is the only question with me. The Clerk said that he never remembered such a case coming before him like the present one. In case the Chairman has not voted he may give his casting vote. The Chairman Or he may not. The Clerk: I will leave that to you as Chairman of the meeting. Mr E. Humphreys (speaking to Mr J. Humphreys): Be honourable. Mr Ford Where doei the honour come in ? Mr E. Humphreys: Are you listening to our con- versation ? Mr Ford It is intended for my ears. Mr Thomas Let's toas up. Mr J. Humphreys I don't believe in gambling. It is the duty of the Chairman to settle the question. Mr Thomas If it is not settled, what's to be done P The Chairman: They are both great friends of mine. The Clerk: You can decline to vote and then the amendment will not be carried; and then put tho original motion, but you will be in exactly the same place. The Chairman: I would rather vacate the chair than give my casting vote. Mr Thomas For good ? The Chairman: Yes, for good. Mr Barker Halliwell: What are we to do now? The Chairman If you do not come to an arrange meni, I woulu latLer I feel I aiasi vauate ut chair. I propose that Mr Halliwell take the chair (rising from the chair). The Clerk: I cannot allow you to do that. You must excuse me saying so. You are appointed chairman. The Chairman: I cannot make up my mind to give the casting vote. I am not sufficiently ambitious for the office as that. The Clerk said that he would look up the laws upon the point, and perhaps they would go on with the other business in the meantime. Mr Ford Would that not be irregular? The Clerk said there was nothing to prevent him doing so. Mr J. Humphreys: I think this matter should be settled. Mr Rees: I think so too. Mr Thomas: We have no chairman. The chair- man has resigned. The Clerk: The rule is if the chairman is not present the vice-chairman must preside, and if he is not present then the members of the Board must elect a chairman from their members. Mr Thomas: Can we elect a chairman pro tem? Mr E. Humphreys He is not elected. Mr Ford: What, not elected, and he putting the question of vice-chairman! Mr E. Humphreys Oh yes; I beg your pardon. The Chairman If you don't go on with the busi- ness I shall decline to act, and leave the chair. Another appointment can be made. Mr Ford: Might I ask the Clerk if we are in order. What is the law upon the matter ? The Clerk: I did not anticipate suoh a thing as this. There is nothing that bears upon it. We must be guided by the rules of other public bodies. The chairman can retire from the room, then the Board can appoint another. Mr J. Humphreys (to the Chairman): You will not hurt me if you vote for Mr E. Humphreys. Don't be afraid! The Chairman: There is an attempt to catch me in a trap deliberately, and then hold me up to the ridicule before the party for whom I have been working the whole of my life time. Mr Ford: I really must object to this. I have only done what I have a perfect right to do. The Chairman: I don't question your right. Mr Ford Therefore I say that you have no right to make a statement of that kind. You are pre- judging the question without a-ny occasion, or reason. You have no authority even as a chairman to call question. After the perusal of a note from Mr E. Humphreys the Chairman said he would give his casting vote against Mr J. Humphreys, and he did it for the reason that Mr Evan Humphreys had been a member of the Board for six years. Mr J. Humphreys You have no need to give reasons for voting against me. If you pledged me to Mr E. Humphreys you had no reason to do so. Mr Ford Mr Evan Humphreys will deny that probably. Mr E. Humphreys: Mr J. Humphreys tells the truth when he speaks. I trust you will now go to business calmly. I thank those who voted for me, and those who voted against me. From ten to fifteen minutes had elapsed from the time the vote was taken before the Chairman's casting vote was given. THE DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS. Mr E. Humphreys proposed that the meetings be held in future on the first Monday in the month at 7.30.—Mr Thomas seconded the proposition, and it was carried COMMITTEES The following were appointed members of the visiting committee The Chairman, Messrs Alfred Ford, W. F. Thomas, and Barker Halliwell, The attendance committee was composed of the follow- ing:-The Vice-Chairman, Messrs J. Humphreys and T. Reos. AN EXPLANATION DEMANDED. In consequence of a letter received from Mr Hayea announcing his intention of leaving the schools for a week, it was decided to invite him to attend the next Boqrd meeting to give an explanation with respect thereto, and also to report upon the conduct of the school during the week of his absence, particularly on the Monday. APPOINTMENT OF PUPIL TEACHERS. The Clerk said that he had received an application from a young man named G. E. R. Williams, Llan- silin, near Oswestry, for the post of a pupil teacher. The applicant seemed to be possessed of excellent credentials and fully capable of filling the position he aimed at.—Mr Ford, on being urged to give his opinion, said that he was determined to maintain the stand that he had taken up with respect to this question, and if there was to be opposition he would reserve his remarks for a future time.—All the members said that they quite agreed with the policy of appointing pupil teachers, and Mr Ford then advised them to accept the application of the you,g man, and invite him down to meet the members )f the Board on Monday next.