The New York herald., 1869-05-22
THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM In BROOKLYN.


How School Books are Purchased-Testimony
of Publisher Before the Investigating
Committee.
The examination by the investigating committee
of the Board Of Education OF Brooklyn in regard to
the manner In which books, supplies, &C., are pur-
chased for the Board was resumed again last even
ing at the rooms Of the Board, in Red Hook lane.
Mr.. Kinsella, member Of the committee, stated
that the committee had met mainly for the purpose
of comforting with Mr.. Seabury and DR.. Thorne.
The papers had, in the publication Of the proceed
ings, mixed the names Of these gentlemen up in the
matter, and the committee thought 1t but proper to
invite them to be present, SO that they might be
heard
Mr.. Kinsella read the notice to the gentlemen,
the object above stated, and deemed 1t proper to
notify them Of the meeting in case they should desire
The gentlemen did not make their appearance.
Mr.. W. J. Pooey, a New YORK publisher, was ex-
amned at some length by Mr.. Kinsella He testi-
fed that he had some years SINCE furnished the
Board with some books; believed they were called
Rsades had also h furnished one two
extensively; did not know positively from which
firm the Board purchased the books, but should
Apple,ons; they plbllsned a complete series; wit
ness also published a complete series and
great many things; had furnished sargents
and Greenleafs Readers The New York Board ad-
vertse for proposals and 20 there and get the sup
ply list; there blank left for the price to filed
OUT this system has been adopted for the past SIX.
teen or seventeen years and was the lowest bid
Mr. Kinsela-Are you acquainted with our sys-
tenn, Mr.. Pooleyi A. No, sir. never could get
Qualuted with your system.
q. whyf A. Because 1t is q close system.
O. Did you tryf A. Yes sir. have tried this
o. How did you try? A. BY asking questions.
| O. Who did you asKf A. would not ike to men
O. Well what replies did you geti A. They said
| my prices not low enough.
q. We're they not A. should think they were
| ffom the list Of prices 1 In the papers; from
what saw In the papers my prices were not SO high
| as the Board paid.
| for the purpose OF ascerialning this very tact II
| one publisher could furnish books cheaper than
another why the contract mad not been bee r,, gyen to
! was. Who was the member 70 whom you spokei
| Mr.. Pooley-I would not IKE TO sa3 what member
| OF the Board conversed with.
Q. There be no objection to telling II. A. 10
not wish TO mention names.
| Y. ask you the question and you DO not care
| about answering III A: No, sir.
| O. Did you ask one Of the members OF this com
witness was questioned by Mr.. Rodes another
member OF the committee, In regard TO the publish
ing books; said he was an agent; books were printed
| IN Boston, and he was Interested.
Mr. Kinsea read the titles Of several books all OF
which witness said he could supply, but could not
tell at what price; dealt considerably with boards Of
| education, and when he desired to introduce his
| books he went TO the school book committee Al
the time witness tried to furnish books they were
about stock the schools and he thought It would
cost about 600 10000, and he could not afford to
furnish them for nothing he thought he had spoken
TO Dr. Thornc since they had introduced the new
series IN the schools lie would not mention any
names as he md not care about getting INTO any row
Mr.. Rodes thought Mr. Pooley ought to mention
the names Of the members with whom he conversed,
| SO "a to relieve those who were not interested.
| Mr.. Pooley refused, however, to give any names.
| Mr.. stewart testified that Mr.. Leonard was en-
| ployed by tine Schoolhouse Committee not by the
| Board; the Schoolhouse Committee mad been
| empowered by the Board 10 make the appoint
| ment aud the salary OF $4,000 per year had
been fixed by the Board by resolution. Mr. Leonard
Is the Superintendent OF Repalrs.j
| Mr.. Daniel Croswell had been appointed as assist
clerk by the Board at salary OF 900 per year;
| was also messenger OF the Board; his salary was
400 last year; his duties the same now as they
| were then; he was responsible ony TO the Board.
| Mr.. klnsela inquired II there was any list of the
| property owned by the Board.
Mr.. stewart said there not he only knew OF the
! property from the deeds. lie knew OF eight vacant
lots owned by the Board In Willow street; the Board
had owned them for the past eight years, and they
| had been occupied by q. Ross Co., lumber deal.
ers they had not pald anything for the use OF them
| Mr.. Carroll testihed that he had been member OF
the Board Of Education for the past nine or ten
years: was member OF the Committee on School
Books, but they had only met two or three times;
| had never seen any bills rom the publishers.
The committee then adjourned 10 the call OF the
| chair.