The New York herald., 1873-12-21
THE WEST FARMS SCHOOL WAR.
Indignation Meeting at Fordham---hlOre
Trouble Over the New SchOOlhOuSe.

place last evening" for the purpose OF expressing
their Indignation at the course pursued by Mr..
Pordham Morris and others in endeavoring to
cause the rejection OF the new school building TOT
educational purposes and also 10 concert meas
nres for the speedy opening thereof Notwith-
standing the recent verdict secured by the Board
OF Education OF West Farms in its suit against
Lewis G. Morris and others, in the Circuit Court at
White Plains, particulars OF which have already
appeared in the HERALD, the school war has again
been resumed with all its former intensity Of bitter
parts hostility.
1t appears that the Board ofEaucation had made
preparations for the formal opening OF the struc-
ture indicated tomorrow, without knowing that
judicial assistance would be successfully invoked
TO restrain them from SO doing An injunction
granted by Judge Fancher has been the means OF
postponing the interesting ceremonies referred to,
and OF causing no small amount OF NOR
tifcation and excitement among the tax
payers Of the new Twenty-iourth ward. BY
the act OF annexation the strife hitherto
existing between Messrs. John B. Haskin and
Fordham Morris, with their respective friends and
adherents, has been transferred to the city OF New
York; and although the first named gentleman
and his party have been sustained by the people
in their local elections Tor the past three years y
ls now feared by them that The influence OF thelr
opponents with the Board OF Education IN this city
may result in having the new schoolhouse rejected
JEoPARDIZING EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS
of the late school district. IL IS asserted that
large majority OF those residing IN the district are
in favor OF the acceptance and opening OF the new
schoolhouse, regarding 1t as one which mas been
erected at a moderate cost for It's size, and as
being centrally located for the accommodation Of
the scholars.
The new schoolhouse is large and imposing
brick structure. its dimensions being 7S feet front
and by las eet deep. 1t contains over 20 class
rooms, each being 20 by % feet in size, with ca
paclous assembly room. about go 1eet square.
rhnra aarD n r.
nc. The entire cost OF the building VIII, 1t Is said,
not exceed $4,000.
Chairman, in a few pertinent remarks, introduced
Mr.. Jonn b. Haskln, who, on taking the stand, was
In the course OF his address Mr.. Hask1n said that
on Tuesday last Mr.. Fordham Morris, through his
private counsel, made application to Judge
Fancher for an Injunction restraining the proposed
opening OF the new school house on Monday. The
injunction, upon this ex parte application, was
granted, with order making 1t returnable on
the oath inst. to snow cause why the injunction
should not be made permanent. This was
LEGAL TRICK
The allegations in the complaint and application
OF &r. Fordham Morris, upon which the injunction
was granted, are that the site OF the school house
was swampy and detrimental to health, that its
proximity TO the Harlem Railroad must endanger
the ilyes q the pupils ana that many OF the cltl,
against the site selected and the erection OF the
school building thereon. In short, the objections
were precisely the same as those presented 10
the Board OF Supervisors of Westchester
county by Mr.. Morris and his friends, last
year, and which were subsequently passed upon
by Judge Pratt In his able opinion granting man
damus compelling the Board OF Supervisors to levy
aud collect by tax the sum of $4,000 10 be ex
pended towards the erection OF the new school
house, Judge Pratt holding in his opinion and de-
cision that the Board OF Education had the sole
power TO select the site and con rol all other mat
ters relating TO the erection OF the school building.
Under this decision the Board Of Education in good
faith, commenced the erection OF the new school
house. now nearly completed and ready for occu-
paney. or the building itself the people of the dis
trict may feel
possessing, as they now do, the finest school house,
next to the Normal College, in the city OF New
YORK. The only motive by which he was actuated
while President OF the Board OF Education was to
provide Tor the people OF West Farms one of the
best schools in the state, while the principal op.
ponents OF the benehcent project were in part
actuated by desire to avoid paying the taxes
incident to its erection. These men are now en-
deavorlng TO influence the Board OF Education OF
New York. 10 the end that II may take action
against levying the necessary amount to be raised
To pay the balance due 1or the erection of the new
school house, and are also working night and day
TO prevent It's acceptance by the city for school
purposes.
During his remarks the speaker, who was fre-
quently interrupted by outbursts OF applause de-
n0unced in severe terms the persistent course OF
hostility TO the educational interests or the dis
trict pursued by Mr.. Fordham Morris and his
friends whom he characterized as would-be up
holders OF patrican rule, and the enemies OF the
honest artisan and the patient, simple minded day
Brief addresses were also delivered by Mr. VIII
liam Meikleham, secretary OF the Board OF Eduea-
ton, and other prominent residents OF the school
district.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The following resolutions, offered by Mr. William
Aeikleham, were unanimously adopted:-
Whereas the founders Of our nm purchased
aiena6e right Of IN every branch and
est and whereas the right Of fepresentaSn in the man
agement age M Of our Pabc schools especially dear to US
5S 1s 4sbus M n r a Is and % to e
e Of hs city q sew xUIs IN
4 Ko.r Hamilton Jr and eoawin members Of the Local
such 9' ns
ing been u made asans, the Wish Of
Il hs e a gsa1s h91d % e
York CITY Board Of Education have srrosaied to them
selves to be masters instead Of in that
wishes regard .ehso building /, forShaa
en Farms Ss o
very cot puse ne
local School iTnees "a and b opposing the viii
lie Schools this it Ward merits and dap
Of such Board Clearly the e the
APPOINTMENT Gl,tne I, system over the elective
Of important public officers q in direct yo
government OF the people. by the people and for the
Resolved, That we desire the New York Board and Its
local Board to understand distinctly that approve
rey OF the new school building at Fordham and that 1t
our wish that IL be used public school and
that we further insist that provision be made by those
boards to meet ali oil the liabilities incurred in the
ton OF that building by the present Board Education
OF school district No. i OF West Farms
Resolved, That the Official conduct of the present
Board o. Education throughout meets with entire
appreciation, and that in their rereme Mt from oica,
duties they take with them heartfelt thanks and
wishes
Resolved That sincerely regret that the opponents
o our new school house at FordhRm have succeeded in
obtaining an Injunction against the Board Of Education
o school district No. l. OF the Of West Farms and
we recognize therein attempt the par, Lewis q.
"A 10 re
iara by legal trick the compeuon Of tina, fine building,
thus seeking 70 crafty at the public their
sona anmosity 10 the Hon Johu B. Hask IN whose eyer.
Tons IN the cause Of popular we fully recog.
nixe, appreciate aud commend
Resolved nnai as this Injunction njnriousy affects the
welfare OF our schools hope lis speedy removal
which confidently believe win be arcofnp ished as
Board OF Education OF ihl district have the
opportunity Of presenting their case To the Court
Resolved, That we han with heartfelt grauncaon the
recent triumph OF law and order over ale ssnes and
mot eyinced in the Just verdict rendered by the Iry
December 6 1873 in the SUI; the hoard OF Education
school district No against Lewis g. Morri. patricp
Crotfy, Fordham Morris. Michael r. Reilly and aihe,s