The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-13
Five School Trustees to be Elected
on the First Saturday
in April.
A Contest at Which the Taxpay-
ers Should Show More
interest.
Tho People Beginning to Think That a
Change From tho Present Methods
Are Necessary.

One OF the most Important events OF the
next few weeks to the people of Helena will
be the election of school trustees, which
takes place on the first Saturday in April.
The term OF one of the three present trus-
tees, r. II. Howey, expires. The law passed
by the last legislature increases the num-
Der of trustees fer the Helena school district
from three to seven. The -four additional
ones. with the successor to be chosen to
Judge Howey, makes five to be elected on
April 4. Ordinarily there is a disposition
to allow school matters to take care of
themselves. Very little interest is taken by
either party in the election of trustees.
This year, however, it is expected that pub
lilo sentiment, aroused by the scandals
which have attended the present
administration. will demand that none
but the best men shall be
put into these important offices,
and that at least four. or a majority
Of the full board, shall be people who are in
no way associated with those now in power.
No protest has ever been faised in Helena
over the necessary expenditure of money
for educational purposes. At the same
time there is a growing feeling against the
policy that seems to have been pursued by
the present board of starting out apparent,
ly without any idea of what is wanted, and
following this up with changes of plans by
which the cost of buildings ls made to ex-
coed what was originally intended.
Under the new law the five trustees to be
elected will be chosen at large without
reference to ward boundaries. This law is
az follows:
Section one. That within all cities and
towns within the state having q population
~ 1 nNN and y,,,upop5o fhn hoard of school
trustees shall consist of seven members.
Section two. There shall be elected at the
first annual school election after the pas
sage OF this act five trustees in such dis
tricts as provided for by section one. three
of whom shall hold Office for the term of
three years, one for two years and one for
one year, and at each annual election there
after there shall be elected two trustees in
each of such school districts, who shall hold
office for the term Of three years, providing,
that on each third year after such first cleo
tions three trustees shall be elected for the
term of three years.
Section three. At each annual school
election the ballots shall show the names of
the candidates and the length of the term
for which they shall be elected. This act
ia to take effect from and after its passage.
All acts and parts of acts in conflict are
repealed.
It will thus be seen that the taxpayers of
A4CACAu AAO5kSSpA$o oSAs "HN
only that. they are 81 years of age, will
nave a chance on April 4 to vote for five
new members of the board of trustees for
this school district. No matter what ward
the candidates are nominated from the
whole vote OF the city is to decide who are
elected. While it is admitted that it would
be we'll to have a harmonious board, there
is a growing sentiment that the majority Of
the seven trustees should undertake a diff
ferent course in the matter Of expenditures
and contracts from the present board, and
one which will not start ont to nil or en-
large without studying fully all the details
and possible contingencies.
Judge Howey is recognized generally as
the guiding spirit in the present board of
trustees. His opinions have great weight
with the other members. He has allowed
the announcement to be made that he is
not a candidate for reelection. Many,
however, believe that he will be found in
the field on the day of election. His cleo
ton would make it necessary for the pres
ent board to have but one of the other four
new members in order to gain control. 1t
is possible that should Judge Howey run
there will be a considerable opposition to
his election.