The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-05-06
The School Board Affairs.

The School Board Affairs.
In answer to the article in last weeks Reg
lister over "Soudo," it might be we'll for the
public to know the author ofthe same. 'Soudo,
VS.. Charles H. Moore, is well known in the
past history of our public schools as a dis
turbing element from his first appearance as a
teacher in them, and it would, therefore, be
useless to refer to his troubles with Prof. l..
D. Brown, Mr.. Withrow, Mr.. Davis, Mr.. Palm
er, Prof. Stanage, besides many others.
He is aspiring to the position of Superinten-
dent himself, and is about as fit for it as would
be a Chinese laundryman. Beyond the sell
fish motive of place and power, he cares moth
ing for the success of our schools, and would
gloat over their downfall if he cannot carry
his point. When he resigned as a teacher he
"bit off more than he could chaw," and has
been hopping around con his carr ever since,
because the schools didn't Immediately go to
the dogs on account of the loss o fhis valuable
services! With the feeble assistance of two
or three other "small fry politicians, he sue
ceeded in getting the indifferent school dis
trict voters into running a partisan school
board ticket at the spring election, and we
regret to say it was successful. But he don't
seem to be yet satisfied, and by permission
through the columns of our neighbor of the
Register, is attempting to make the public be-
lieve that they have suffered from the hands
of the old members of the Board-that they
have absolutely been misapplying the school
funds contrary to law and his high sense of
honor and justice Sad, isn't it? Now let us
examine into the matter in the light of com
mon sense and the facts.
Upon examination of the journal of the
school board, we find that in 1880 Mr.. HEST
and made an offer to serve as Treasurer and
pay $50 for the use of the school funds. Mr..
Brooke upon being elected Treasurer the same
year stated that he would do as well as Mr.. |
The question was then raised as to
it was legal to accept a compensation
for the use OF the school funds. The State
Commissioner was written to and he
(Which letter is now on fle,) that it
be a direct violation of law to receive
compensation for the use of the school funds.
The Board which was then composed of Mr..
Dix, MIR. Reynolds, DIR. Small, DR.. Welsh,
Saml Oldfather and Mr.. Brooke, agreed with
Brooke that he serve as Treasurer for that
year free of compensation, which he did, and
the records show it. The next year, Mr.. Brooke
chosen Treasurer without any promise as
to compensation and the Board allowed him
part of the lar.ful commission for his services,
was S275. Mr.. Edison was absent
when the matter was voted upon. The bal
ince 1881 paid him was for over two years |
as Treasurer, which on motion of DR..
the Board allowed without any objec-
lions. The law allows l per cent. commission
IN the amount paid out by the School Board
Treasurer.
The 5000 allowed Mr.. Unger as Clerk was
for two years service during the building of
the new school house, when there was a large
AMOUNT of correspondence to be done and the
Board met regular once a week and sometimes
vice or three times, and in voting it to Mr..
Cnger, we certainly attribute no dishonest
motives to the gentlemen composing the
Board. We believe in paying public officials,
filling a place of trust, a fair compensation for
their services.
While we have stated the above facts which
are all on record, it might be well to speak of
some other matters connected with the old
We find that Mr.. Nation, after COM
his contract for brick work on the new
school building, went to the members of the
Board, and stated that he had lost money on
the contract and asked for an allowance of 5000
pay on his contract, and threatened
to suit against the Board if it was
not allowed. On the matter being brought
before the Board and duly considered it was
thought best, and was 50 voted, to allow him
the 5000. The Board believed it was better to
pay the amount than stand ligitation, and we
are of the opinion that the members of the
Did Board acted wisely, as attorney fees and
other costs would have exceeded the sum of
5000. 90. The Board also allowed Charles H..
eetra pay, for services claimed to have
been rendered outside of his contract !! Why
then he is "squealing" so Justify about the
ertra pay of others?
Now all we have stated are matters of pub
lie record on the journal of the school board,
and there is not a member of the old Board
who is not willing, nay, demands, that a thor
ough examination of their official acts be made.
They have nothing to fear from it. We feel
the old Board erected a school house
is a credit to our town, for at least$3O,-
900 less than any other city around us has
done. Hamilton and Greenville built new
school buildings about the same time we did.
former cost over Sl0O, 900, the latter $751;
600, and neither as good houses as ours while
house will cost but about $40, 600. The old
Board also run the finances so close that they
did not issue the limit of bonds allowed them.
They were allowed $4,000 and but $685. O0
were issued. Mr.. Edison even used his own
and personal credit in bank for short
time loans to bridge over from one assessment
to the other, in order to keep from issuing
the $4,000 bonds. Where is there a man in
the new Board that will do this?
Now let Us have the investigation proceed at
once, even TO the motives of "Soudo" VS.. C.
H.. Moore, in writing his articles.
For ksent--House on east Main
sire ct. Possession given June LIST. In
quire at DEMOCRAT Office.