The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-08
TIE SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.
Another Wrangle Over the High-SchoOl
QuestiOn-That Investigation Again.

The school board met last night in regular
session with nine members present
The secretary reported warrants drawn for
the past month amounted to $1S 176 Of. The treas
urers report made the following showing:
Special fund.- Balance Feb l, $54, 500 80; re-
ceived during the month, 1928 49, total $780,
1872 6S; exdenditures, 1862 50; balance on hand,
$50 629 So.
Library fund: Balance Feb. l, "a, 1873 80; re-
ceipts 1896. 27; expenditures, $699 55; balance on
hand, SO, $50. H.
Tuition fund: Balance overdrawn Feb. l, $15,-
s62 26; expenditures $13 563 90; total 500 425 10;
receipts, 1906 40: balance overdrawn, 500 1l9 80.
Total balance on hand March l. $25, O45.52.
The superintendent reported an average at
tendance upon the schools during the past month
of 10, $40, falling off from last year of about
500, the decreased being attributed to the small
poX scare.
The committe on finance and building reported
in favor of allowance amounting to 81 762 20
which was agreed to-
THE NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
Mr.. Browning from the committee on buildings
and grounds, made report regarding the pur
chase of grounds on tho South Side for school
purposes. The committee reported that they
and, on motion of Mr.. Bingham, it was ordered
that the proposition made by II. A. Goodwin and
the Merrill heirs, to sell certain property for
school buildings, be rejected.
The same committee submitted propositions
from John s. Spann and John Rauch, for the
purchase of the school property NO 81 on New
York street, between Illinois and Tennessee, the
bids being So, 800 and 1885, respectively. Mr..
Rauchs proposition was accepted, on condition
that possession be not given until the end of the
school year
The same committee reported that Mr.. r. P
Daggett, the architect, had prepared plans for
two high school buildings, for which he was paid
$500, Mr.. Hendrickson stated that the estimate
for the high school north $48 500, and for the
high school south, ST., 800. Mr.. Merritt moved
to refer the whole matter back to the committee
with instructions to advertise for proposals for
putting up the three buildings, the four-room
building on the South Side, and the two high
school buildings.
Mr.. Frenzel objected to such hasty action
saying the members of the board had had no
opportunities to study the proposed plans, and
moved that further consideration of the matter
be postponed for one week. Various other mo-
tions we're made, and an animated discussion
followed 1t was finally agreed to have
special meeting next Wednesday night to con-
slider the matter and make final decision.
THE PROPOSED INVESTIGATION
Mr.. Bingham submitted the following as an
expression of his views on the investigation of
the superintendent:
II think that investigation should be had
of the charges made from responsible authori-
ty that undue influences have been used in the
appointment of incompetent teachers, and
as to the responsibility of the failure
to teach all the textbooks adopted by
the board. A member of the board
has requested that an investigation should be
made, and so has the superintendent and the
sistant-superintendent In my opinion an ex-
animation of these charges is due to the parties
implicated, and to maintain the confidence of the
citizens in the administration of the school in
terests of the city by those to whom they have
been and are entrusted. 1t is with majority of
the board to say whether the investigation shall
be had"
motion to adjourn was lostr-ayes 5, noes s.
Mr.. Brown moved the appointment of a special
committee looking towards investigation.
Mr.. Smith spoke at some length, in defense of
the board the superintendent and the committee
on teachers.
Mr.. Merritt offered the following:
Resolved That this board has entire confidence in
the integrity and ability of our super intendant II. S.
Tarben, and we believe he is managing the schools
wisely, and with as few errors common to hu-
manty.
There being charges against him before this
board deem any investigation of his conduct be-
yond the ordinary supervision of his work, unneces-
sary"
Mr.. Brown made personal statement that
since Preseason Tarbell had been in office no
teacher had been appointed without it met with
the approval of the superintendent, Mr.. j. J.
Mills, Miss Cropsey and Mr.. JONES' when he was
assistant superintendent.
Mr.. Smith said there had been one exception;
he had insisted upon the appointment of one
lady, and Professor Mills said if she was ap-
pointed he would never visit the school in which
she taught, and that he did stay away for seven
months, and that that lady was now carrying
Professor Mills written apology for what he had
said.
Mr. Frenzel spoke in favor of the proposed
investigation at some length. and the discussion
was continued at some length by Messrs. Bell
and others.
Mr. Stratford offered the following:
Resolved, That Mr.. Mills, or any other person. is
invited to before this board and make specific
charges and specifications. if any they have make
against the president. superintendent any mem
Der employe Of this board before the regular
meeting"
This was adopted, all the members voting in
the affirmative except Messrs Smith and Won
negut A proposition to postpone Mr. Merrill's
resolution was lOst-ayes, 5; nays, :, and the
resolution indorsing the superintendent was
adopted, after amendment cutting off the last
proposition concerning an investigation, the vote
being to 3, Messrs. Bingham, Browning and
Frenzel voting in the negative.
On motion of Mr. Smith the board passed a
resolution expressing the greatest confidence in
the integrity of President Brown, and the board
adjourned