The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-20
THE CITY SCHOOLS.
D. A. Spencer Speaks in Defense
of the Board.
ANSWER TO PRoscH's LETTER.
The Problem Met by the goard-The
Glass In Carpentry - Furniture
for the High school.


for the High school.
At the meeting Of the school board next
Wednesday evening the important matter
OF the districts finances will be considered
and WAYS and means for the disposal of
the school bonds discussed.
The Statement. of the financial condition
OF the district contained in Mr. Proseh's
letter vas discussed yesterday bv d. 4.
Spencer to a reporter of the PosT-IsTELLI-
GExcER-
What can you say abou: the matter of
Mr.. Prosch's letter." asked the reporter
Of Mr.. Spencer.
There is 10 be meeting Of the school
board on Wednesday evening next to take
into consideration the financial condition
OF the district. but more especially To see
If some plan can be devised TO get rid Of
our $4,000 school bonds so that we may
pay off the large amount OF warrants out
standing and which sare drawing 10 per
cent. interest. In preparation for that
meeting the secretary is getting state
ment OF the financial condition OF the dis
tricf prepared for use OF the members of
the board. The main objection have to
Mr.. Prosch's statement is that he has
simply given the Indebtedness of the dis
trict without saying anything about its
assets.
9The members of the school board of the
past three years have had severe strain
put upon them. and IL Seems TO me have
performed their duties in a commendable
manner. They started with the school,
houses and school appliances Of village
and have given US those OF G city. To do
this cost q large sum OF money, bur we
have the property 20 show for il.
I'm its wonderful growth Seattle has
had a serious problem TO work out Nearly
1000 people have come in upon small
city Of one-fourth that number within that
time, and they hayeHaad to be cared for,
houses built. streets made and school IA
cilities furnished for the children. Il has
been no light task, and imposes an APP
parently heavy harden upon the people
But all these things must be done or Seat
tie viii relapse into the wilderness from
which il sprung.
The secretary has furnished me the fol-
lowing figures, " hich l presume are correct,
and do not make a bad showing.
LSdtTstios
Ponds outstanding January l. ls9i - 1000
Warrants outstanding January !. 1871. 255,7s6
Due on buildings and sites about. $780, 800
Accrued interest on warfaIi-S 10 January
/, ISL. estimated. ....---...- floss
Total -...... ....-..............s 4s2.sl4
assets.
school buildings ---- s3ssg7
school furniture lestin1ated). i Sea
Tax levy IL, ooo-634.5s7
Excess OF liabilities. 1900. ---...s l9l.77S
From which should be deducted esti-
mated expenditure for balance current
school year Sc, 600, leaving assets over liza
bilities at the end Of the current school
year over $4,000 This does not seem to
me very bad showing.
Now . few words regarding the money
situation. We had S255.7J6 in warrants
outstanding January J. We have good
reason to believe our bonds for $4,000
Will soon be disposed of. These bonds
were issued for buildings and sites. and
sl5o,001 of the warrants IS against that
fund, leaving Sl04, 600 10 be paid from the
taxes, more than $4,000 of which is now
available for that purpose:
IF the taxes are all paid We shall have a
fund large enough TO finish up the year in
good shape. and from the school building
fund enough TO build more schoolhouses,
hich are badly needed.
Now few words as 20 expenditures in
this district as compared with other towns
of about the same population. / md that
our expenditure for the wear ending last
June was $1,000 for salaries Of superin-
tendent and teachers and incidental ex-
penses. Oakland. Cal, expended last wear
for same purpose si70.o0o; Portland. Ore
gon, $500; Portland, Maine. SlS. go;
Trenton, \. J., 5000; Lawrence, Mass,
$4,000; Wilmington, Del, $90,o00.
Il am sure the people of Seattle want
good schools and that means reasonable
expenditure OF money. We ali grnmble
about taxes. but If the question was put 10
the people whether we should have better
or poorer schools even az an increased
taxation, am sure the verdict would be
better schools"
The new chairs for the recitation
rooms Of the High school were placed in
position yesterday. They are comfortable
and convenient. provided with desk arms.
The tools for the class IN carpentry are
expected tomorrow. ana next week active
instruction Viii begin IN the basement of
the High school under the supervision OF
the school mechanic, Mr.. b. ). Conrad.
The arranging Of the pupils and the hours
when the classes VIII be called viii BE
directed by Professor Heston. who is TAX
ing lively interest in this branch.
class has already been formed from
those identified with the B Juniors"
ranging in years from IL 10 Is. and en-
brace the following named: Harry Z.
Ajax. Richard NJ. Anthony. William Bal
lard. Harry +. Booth. G0rris K. Bra3rer,
John u. Brewer. Leroy Buck Miliard r.
carson, Nelson Christensen, Ed. B.CIarSe,
Roy Kelly Cooper, Joseph NJ, Daniels.
=
wards. sherman " Foole. Alfred =.
Gardner. Paul T. Gilbert Frank ". Trass.
Ernest Il. Herald Frank James. David
Kelly Charles +. Kile. Harry Leland. IT.,
Charles Il MCGOWAN, Isaae Newman,
Horton Ray. Linn " EeIle, Ralph L.
Ross, James ". >ayre. Herbert A. Sehoen-
fed. William f. Sickels, James f. Stark.
Ansel c. Taylor, 4. Clayton Williamson
and Frank u. Frazer
These Viii he divided up into classes Of
twelve. end the tIIitiOn vii consist 81 the
Use OF the saw. hammer, chisei ard other
tools. An hour a day Viii be passed in
these pursuits, bGt il the parents Of any Of
the above named scholars object 70 their
engaging IN the work they are requested
% make the same known 10 Professor
HeSto0.
His Liberty at Stake.
In Justice Won Tobel's court YES terdav.
James Murphy waived examination on
the charge of burglary and his be-,s9. COWS.