Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-12-15
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The town talk yesterday was the Board
that courtesy required the Fourth Ward va
cancy should net be filled until the newly.
elected members qualified. The other side
held that this solicitude on behalf of the new
members was unusual, peculiar and meant
that there was something behind it all. 1t
went abroad that in the new school year the
four-years' limit on school books expires, and
that in June the book question will be up
again and new books adopted or the old ones
retained-the law requiring that demon
alizing matter to be attended to once in four
years, and that this made the Board cOmpo-
sition one Of great importance. 1t was also
known that there was furry among teach
ers because of the rumor that dropped
teachers would 'stsnd chance OF REIN
statement under the new administration,
and of course at the loss of position to incum-
bents.
1t was generally thought that the supposed
break in quorum had ckeckmated the Board
from filling the Goodhue vacancy. This was
based on the superstition that it requires the
presence of FIVE Directors TO constitute quo
rum, but examination of the law disclosed
that it required the presence OF five members,
and that the Board being Board of seven
members by reason of the death of
Mr. Hammer, four Directors constituted a
voting majority when five members were
present. This discovery created excitement
in certain quarters. The desire was expressed
by members of the Board to have the newly
elected member-Mr. Johnston, of the Third
Ward-cOme in, accept election by the Board
and fill out the few weeks left of Mr.. Ham
mers term, whom he was elected to succeed.
But Mr.. Johnston replied that he had
pledged himself to one of the Republican
Central Committee not to qualify until he
took his seat in January. This only intensi.
E ID the determination of the mai ority Of the
Directors to fill the vacancy In the Fourth
Ward representation. Late in the day it
was announced in primo that all the talk
about Butler was "gammon :" that all the
solicitude about the matter had no relation to
him that there was no scheme to put him
on the Board ; that there were not votes
enough to elect him, and disclaimers were
put in that Directors were not pledged
to him. But this did not disarm the
belief to the contrary, nor did
the evasive "ptedged" serve to lull the
majority to sleep. 1t was awake to the sit
uation, and concluded that a majority of
elected Directors had some right to have their
Judgment respected as well as that of politi-
cal committeeman. 1t was frequently re.
ferred to during the day that the newly
elected members, not now on the Board, had
not asked in their own behalf that the va
cancy in the Fourth remain open until they
were seated. On the contrary, one Of them at
least, yesterday declared that he preferred to
have all the trouble over before he took his
seat There was figuring done to show that
,fare fhav IL
on two candidates, three could elect third
one and thus there could be accomplished a
scheme that has been believed to have been
on foot as indicated heretofore. The result of
the whole matter will be found set forth in the
of the Boardreported below. After
the adj 1urnment of the Board, there was
considerable " kicking" on the part of the
and the proceedings were an
noupced as Outrageous" But to all this
the majority replied te this effect . The
election Of Mr., Bruner was had lawfully. 1t
was right and proper. We have acted under
cur oaths, as we believe, for the best inter
escs of the School Department of our city.
We would do so again under like cir
cumstances, ard are prepared to defend
our course in every detail. We have no con-
cealments to make, no apologies to offer, and
are conscious of the rectitude, propriety and
lawfulness of our course" 1t may be as well
to briefly analyz9 the composition of the
Board to give clear understanding of the
situation. Originally the Board was com.
posed Of Lame. Superintendent Directors
First Ward, Slater, Stevens; Second Ward, !
stalker, Cooke Third Ward, Hammer,
Hancock; Fourth Ward, Goodhue, TtaW
The terms of those marked in italics expire |
with the year 1888. But Mr.. Hammer
recently died, Mr.. Goodhue has Just resigned, |
l. ola tod ~
The Board would then stand in January |
Lame First Ward, Slater |
and Stevens Second Ward, Chadderdon and |
Cooke; Third Ward, Davis and Johnston
one to fill out the Hammer term); Fourth |
Ward, Avery, with one vacancy caused by |
the re7igns alton Of Mr.. Go1dhue. Over the |
filing OF this vacancy was all the trouble.
The Board met last night. THere were |
present Directors Tracy (1r,s ding, Steven, !
Cooke, Stalker and Hancock. The MINUTES |
Of the last meeting were read and approved.
Mr.. Tracy then ordered the roll to be !
called for the election Of Director to fill the
caused by the resignation of Mr.
Goodhue, to complete the business Of the
meeting Of which this was an adjourned one.
The nominees were Messrs. Andrew Aiken
and Elwo9d Bruuer.
Mr.. Steveus-What Is this ?
The Chair-Why, we are going Co finish up
the business of last night and elect a Di-
rector. Mr. Secretary, call the roll.
The Secretary then called Mr.. Stevens
name twice MIR. Stevens replied ." | de-
cline to vote" The names Of Nh Cooke and
Mr.. Stalker were called, and each responded !
3 Bruner.'
Mr.. Stevens arose hastily from his chair,
remarking az he moved to the door, " Mr. !
Tracy, you know l did not CONT
The sentence remained unfinished, as be |
retired.
Mr.. Cooke-Mr. Stevens, you are too late. |
The Secretary then called the names of
Hancock and Mr.. Tracy, and then the Chair !
announced that Mr.. Bruner had received
Of the votes of the Boald.
Mr.. Tracy then declared Mr.. Bruner APP
pointed to fill the vacancy caused by the |
of Mr.. GoJdhue, and announced, |
a. declare him elected, not only upon the !
grounds that there was q quorum present, |
even ii the law require the presence OF FIVE |
School Directors which was the csse while
the roll was being called but also upon the
ground that there was and is a quorum pres
ent, notwithstanding Mr.. Stevens withdrew
after his name was called and further, for
the reason that the Superintendent. being
present Is g member OF the Board If Educa-
ton by virtue of his Office"
Mr. Bruner was then seat for and apprised
Of his election. He returned thsnks for the
compliment bestowed, and then took the oath
Of office, fled his certificate Of appointment
and took his seat as o member OF the Board
INoTE.-The law to which Mr. Tracy re-
ferred is as follows The Board Of Educa-
ton Of the city Of Sacramento shall be com
posed Of two School Directors from each--the
First Second, Third and Fourth Supervisors
Districts, as said districts are now bounded
and d-6ned The City Superintendent
Of Public Schools of the city Of Sacramento
il hereby declared and constituted ex otiicio a
member Of the Board Of Education Of said
city. without the right to vote. Five
shall be quorum to transact bust
ness. but smaller number may adjourn from
time TO time.
On motion Of Mr.. Cooke, it was ordered
that the vacation declared FOR the 18Th, Doth
and 2lst should not apply to the High
School.
The Board then adjourned 10 meet on the
10 icst., st 7:30 NJ
The authority Is given 70 state that four Of
the ,7eD,bers IF the new Board Of Education,