Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-06-16

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SCANDAL INVESTIGATED
On Saturday evening the special committee
appointed by the Board Of Trustees Of Public
Schools held a meeting to inquire into the
ale cations Of acknowledgment. s.. made by
authority Of . member Of the board Of trustees.
Mr.. Browne was present. and stated that the
substance Of what had passed between Trustee
the normal school bill was pending in the COun-
Gil he met Mr. Scott, who, in conversation,
Expressed hir.self somewhat dissatisfied with
the present management of the schools, and
he men''c..ed several transactions in connec-
ton with the third district. He made no
charges Of fraud, but said that there had been
according to his recollection) . reckless ex-
penditure Of money, and he gave an account Of
several transactions in his (the third) district.
Those statements were not mace in confidence,
and he (Mr. BrOwne) had referred to them In
Scott to give him the statements in writing,
and lie had done SO, but marked "private, on
them. When he (Mr. BrOwne) was asked for
the letters in the Council, they being 30 marked,
passed he did not think he would be justified in
Withholding them. Mr.. Browne now submitted
In 'one of them MIR. Scott states in refer
ence to the normal school bill that 'sSuch a
school is much needed for the training Of teach
ers- Could the means be had to start high
school should prefer to see that done; but the
finances Of the District will not allow it." And
he also suggested: .sBy dispensing with the four
sub assistants in the Female Grammar schools
81 600 could be saved, and by dispensing with
the German az 400 more could be save. AS now
taught in the schools the German is worse than
useless. am notoppOsed to the German being
taught In the schools .er Sc: But It should be
Of which is now done. When the time comes
land that will be when We shall have high
school tet the German be taught in the schools"
The ''private'' letters are as follows
my. Broscse: The matters referred TO ia my
essusi interview few days since, relate Wholly to
now before the Council. know Mr. o.: well I'M
faction that sfui E. pendfures nave been n ade,
and too, in direct violation q the rule prescribed
pose in lev days 70 sever my connection with the
board do net carr to trouble myself or my friends
with the matter. khow when and where to Apply
remedy, and will, ct the proper time, do so'
my. B,orcne: Bills allowed, which feel conn
dent are far in excess Of what prudent business
LIS feet light iron fence in front Of the McCOr-
RepsriDs and s.trinS II ~ ~
VIII .esw..ashing fence and rooms in wallsch
Vanishing the desks and few other thing,
al same building, including an item of 50
gallons varnish, at IS per eallon......... 3ol 90
Here are four bills, and feel confident that any
man Of sound Judgment will say that $50, if not
these are not all. A NJ So
MIR. Browne was questioned By Mr.. Scott, and
word " reckless or "extravagant'' was used,
but the idea conveyed was that there had been
a criminal expenditure Of money. Mr.. Scott
to other questions, Mr. Browne said that Mr.
Scott had not mentioned other members. The
construction be put upon the conversation was
that there were other frauds in other districts,
but no cases were specific. Mr.. Scott made no
specific charges except as to his own district.
Mr.. DERRICK suggested that there was diff
ference between extrayagance and fraud, and
ne WAS led TO believe by the remarks made by
MI Browne that gross frauds we're being per-
petrated.
Mr.. Brown said it was his inference from Mr..
SCOTS language that frauds were creeping into
ton the names OF any trustees.
Mr. Scott then made the following statement
Feeling q deep interest In the normal school
could be saved to carry il ON. 1 met Mr.. BroVne
and he asked me how the schools were getting
on, and said vel, and expressed the hope that
ne normal scheol bill would pass. He said the
difhculty would be to ind the IheaAs to carry Il
on Immediately remarked - to the sub-as-
sistants and the German, and stated that there
. mere pills Of eIPenses in excess Of what they
criminal, y and mentioned the bills now here.
And said had investigated them ard had not
ssPPorted them either in the sub board OF in
against any member Of the board in sny man
ner shape, or form. simply said the bills were
excessive, exQavagant; for the charge Of fraud
az. - II ~ enberod my MIND.
IL 10 probable that the committees win report
the testimony only.
RAILROAD ELDcTIoN.-By an order of the
town council Of Harrisonburg, Va, an election
will be held tomorrow upon the question OF the
town subscribing an additional S25 900 TO the
Washington, Cincinnati and st. Louis Narrow
Guage railroad. Tho conditions or this SUBJ
scriPtion are. that the road b commenced in or
near the town Of HaFts0nburg, and run thence
by the most practical route 10 Brideewatsr,
thence TO North River Gap, In Augusta county,
At par value, to become due In not les than
twenty years, and 70 bear seven per cent. in
tere<t, payable semi annually, And not to be
issued until the railroad h under contract to
the Highland county hne.