The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-02-09


an appropriation from the United States
to improve this property with view to
esSabli.i hing the military here?" He an
swered that there would be none but for
this. The action of the school board here
has been known to him for many months,
and he never e3 pressed the slightest oppo
sitiOn to it as far as know, and 1 can't
account for his action in sending the tele-
gram to Cong! essman Sayers without con-
sulting the school board, of which he is
ex-otfi,io a member, and regard his as
sumption as to the wishes of
the people here in matter he
has nsver discussed with them until
the last few days, as extraordinary.
II believe the people of this city, that
is, majority OF our citizens, would re
gard an appropriation from congress of
from $4,000 to 100000 for the purpose
of establishing military post as prefer
able, if there be reasonable prospect of
securing it. My understanding of the bill
is that it does not contemplate an alb
solute grant of a fee simple title to us, but
the uses only until such time as the United
States government chooses to reclaim it
for military purposes.
"This being the case it does not seem to
me that the two measures would neces-
sarily conflict. In view of this difference
of opinion as to how we should proceed in
both matters, we will have meeting of
our school board this Qast( afternoon for
the purpose of putting the matter before
the city council and getting the public
sense on it,"
"Have you heard any of our prominent
citizens, Judge, express themselves in this
matter?"
"Yes. l have seen dozen of the most
representative citizens here, and can find
no opposition. A few are of the opinion
that if we can get the $4,000 or 100000
wanted that they would prefer it,"
"What is your estimate as to the value
of that property?"
II estimate its value at about $4,000"
"Are there any Improvements on the
LOTT"
Eyes, there are some; but l regard the
lot as worth two or three times as much
as the lot adjoining on account of the
latter being on hillside"
Mr.. W. B. Walker, ex-alderman of the
Tenth ward, states that he has heard of no
opposition to the Sayers proposition in
his ward. The matter of getting the lot
for school house had been mooted over
year ago, when his people were urged to
yield the increase which was voted in the
school tax, with the understanding that
this lot would be obtained from the federal
government for school purposes. The
question was raised at the time in the city
council.
ACTION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.
There was a meeting of the school
board at 4 O'Clock yesterday afternoon to
take some aston in the matter.
Present, Hon. A. P. Woodbridge, presi-
dent and Messrs. R NJ. Swearingen, Walter
Tips, u. L. Fillmore, Walter Graham and
]. NJ. Litten, of the board, and j. W. Max
we'll, county school superintendent, and
j. B. VIM, superintendent of the city
schools. Mayor Male, who is ex-officio a
member of the board was absent.
After some discussion the following
resolutions were adopted;
Whereas, The telegram sent by the
mayor of this city to the Hon. Joseph D
Sayers, our representative at Washington
in which it is stated that the bill passed
by the lower house of congress trans
ferring "the old Arsenal block in Austin
TO the school board for educational use!
and purposes, does not meet with the ap-
proval of our people," is calculated tt
place the school board, as well as the Hon
Joseph D. Sayers, in false attitude
towards the public of this community
therefore
Resolved, That the effort of the Hon
Joseph d. Sayers to procure by congress
sional action a transfer to the schoo
board, for educational purposes
of the ''old Arsenal block il
this city," was made on hi
part solely upon the repeated oficia
solicitations of the school board of th
city and the individual members thereof
Resolved, That the grateful acknowledg
ments of this board are due, and they ar
hereby rendered to the Hon.Joseph d. Say
ers, for his successful effort in behalf o
the public schools of Austin.
Resolved, That in our judgment tn
bill he has procured to pass the lowe
house of congress does meet with the cor
dial approval of the vast majority of on
people.
Resolved, That copy of the official act
of the Austin school board in the matte
of procuring federal legislation lookin
to transfer to this city for school pu
poses of the old arsenal block, be fur
nished to the city council for its informa
ton, and that copy of the same
furnished to the city papers, to be printe
for public enlightenment upon the sub
ject.
Resolved, Also, that copy of the fol
lowing telegram be signed by the indivi
dual members of the school board, and b
sent to the Hon. Joseph D. Sayers.
The board directed the following teIe
gram to be sent to Congressman Sayer
and adjourned:
Hon. j. D. Sayers, Washington, D. c..
Accept the thanks of the Austin scho'
board, for your action in the passage {
the bill giving US the arsenal propert,
-, We believe the sentiment of the Poop
here is Overwhelmingly in its favor.
J A.P. WOODBRIDGE.
R. NJ. SwEABINGEN.
WALTER TIPS.
Y. I. FILLMORE.
Waller GRAHAM.
t j. M. LITTEN.
j. W. MAXWELL.
t The following kilograms have passt
3 on this subject, and were the occasion
the present controversy:
8 AUSTIN, February 3, 1888.
Hon Joseph D. Sayere, NJ. c., Washington.
Bill passed Yesterday turning government bio
{ over to city for schools, not approved by