The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-04-20
THAT SCHOOL SIT'E
Fourth District Citizens
Protest Against the
One Selected.
SPEECHES AND RESOLUTIONS
Mr.. Pfingsten Defends His Action
and Warns His Constituents.

4 - t~tttbH UASA eAc L4lttoS uAccbll1k Vi
Fourth district citizens assembled to pro
test against the proposed site for the new
school house, organized with N. P.
Merseles as chairman and Walter With
as secretary
After the chairman had stated the OBJ
ject of the meeting ex- Director w. L.
Van Derzee delivered an earnest address,
describing the wants of a large portion of
the district for public school education,
and objecting to the selected site. for the
reason that it will not relieve overcrowd-
ed schools Nos. =, Sand 10, and leaves the
large section of the Hill entirely without
school accommodation
lie exhibited a map showing the loca-
ton OF the present schools and the pro-
posed site, from which he argued that
the locality OF the school at that point is
an injustice to majority Of the people of
the district
He favored the building of four smaller
schools in different parts of the district
instead Of a. large school. so that the
younger children might have accomnlo-
datl0n in primary schools. Such school
houses, including the land, could be
built for $40, 900 each, and he thought it
better to divide thes $40, 900 in that way.
he said 1t was the duty OF our public
officials to act in conformity with the
wants of their constituents and mildly
censured Director Pfingsten for not con-
sulting with the citizens before agreeing
upon q site.
w. l. Frankenbach assumed his share
OF responsibility Tor the call of the meet
ing, and referring to Mr.. Pfingsten's
interview that appeared in THE JERSEY
CITY NEWS Indignantly denied that either
he or the citizens opposing the selected
site had any personal interests to sub
VIVA 10 ma H.. -
ments presented in his communication to
The JERSEY CITY NEWS on the school
question few days since, and objected to
locating the school at the point decided
upon, for the reason that large portion
Of the district could not possibly be bene-
flied by it.
Mr.. f. Dieffenbach related experiences
of the past in locating school in the dis
trict. He opposed the selected site for
the reasons already advanced He re-
garded Director Pfngsten as an honest
official, but thought he had made a mis-
take in not ascertaining the sense of the
citizens on the subject before agreeing to
the site selected. Mr.. PdnRsten WAS in
yited BY the chair to answer the question
why the site had been selected but that
gentleman said he would wait until others
had spoken.
Chairman Merseles, in his usual viQor-
GUS way. presented his objections to lo-
eating the new school in such close prox-
unity to Nos. z, and 10, and criticised
Mr.. Pnngsten's statement In the pub
hshed interview of yesterday.
He denounced as absurd and unjust
the argument that more available site
could not be selected because such site
does not have the benefit of sewer It
is the duty of the city to provide such
sewers. he commended, and it is disgrace
that for such reason so many children
should be deprived of school accomoda-
ffOn HRnTnnd q Vin0T0rlQ n rai In If
the adoption Of the selected site.
The following preambles and resolu-
lions were read and, after Mr. Pfinpsten
had made his speech, unanimously
adopted
Whereas The inadequate school accomrnoda-
fion is a serious hindrance to the growth and
prosperity OF the Fourth district, detrimental to
property interests, ana infiicting It's citizens
an unwarranted injury in direct violation of the
constitution and laws of the State, and
Whereas, Ample means of relief have been
provided under the provisions of the new char
ter, and by the acts OF the Board Of Education,
in according to the Fourth district new school,
and
whereas, The delay in locating proper site
for the erection Of new school is indefensble
Whereas The site ON Milton avenue proposed
by the Committee OF the Board of Education is
in opposition to the wishes of the property
owners, citizens and residents of the Fourth dis
irict, is against the best interests of the city,
and will not afford the desired relief; there
fore,
Resolved, That we, the citizens of the Fourth
district In mass meeting assembled do hereby
protest against further needless delay in the
procuring OF a proper site and the erection Of
school in this district.
Resolved, That we further protest against the
purchase of the proposed site on Milton avenue
for school as being unit for the purpose
Resolved, That we recommend to the proper
authorities the property bounded by Nelson ave-
nue., Zabrskie street, Sanford place and Hut
ton street, as the most desirable and best adapt
ed location for the new school.
Resolved, That copy OF these preambles and
resolutions, properly signed and attested be
forwarded TO the Boards OF Education, Street
and Water Commissioners tand Finance and to
His Honor, Mayor Orestes Cleveland.
DIR. N. Allen, A. A. Franck and others
asked questions and participated in the
debate, and an inebriated citizen insisted
upon interrupting them.
Finally Director Phngsten accepted
the chairman's invitation, and proceeded
TO explain and defend his course. He re-
ferred to his past official career. and said
it was the first time in his experience
that he felt that he was occupying the
position of q criminal in the estimation
OF the citizens of the Fourth district.
He made warm, vigorous Defence in
which he reiterated the statement made
in the. interview OF yesterday. He
claimed that for six months he had en-
deavored in vain to have the citizens give
an expression as to the location OF the
school. He claimed also that whatever
credit was due for securing new
school for the district belonged to him.
He branded the statement appearing in
the Journal relative to the price to be
paid for the lots, as false, and said that
paper had promised to make full re-
traction. His vigorous hits brought
Messrs. Edgar and Frankenbach to their
feet and for time things were exciting
IN charges and denials.
Mr. Pfingsten claimed that the citizens
should have called meeting months ago
to determine the matter. He had ever
been ready to carry ont their wishes, and
in concluding he said:-''When / found
that 1t was that site or no school for my
district, | said give us the school. IL
these resolutions are adopted / will go
down and do all can to urge the rejec
ton of the selected site. and the adop-
ton OF the one you propose, but, gentle
men, | want you to assume all the re-
sponsibility in the case.
Other gentlemen expressed themselves
and then the meeting adjourned
The Theatre Rumor Denied.