The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-10
What Prominent Taxpayers Say
About tho Trustees Latest
Proposition.
The Best Of Public School Facili-
ties Wanted by Every
body.
A Feeling Of Implicit Confidence In tn,
Present Board Does not Manifest
ITSELF.

DENT reporter Of q number of citizens en-
countered here and there. As a rule the
sentiment was In favor Of issuing the bonds,
but a feeling of uncertainty seemed to pre-
vail among some as to the handling OF 80
much money by the present school board.
II there is one thing moro than another
that the average Montanian will encourage,
IL is the public schools. Their Importance
ia fully appreciated. No matter how small
the town. a casual observer will notice in
every settled district of the state good
school houses. In many places the school
houses are the finest structures in the town
and the people of Montana take great pride
in their schools. In Helena, more than any
other place Is this fact noticeable.
The public school property already ao-
quired is very valuable, and the school
houses, though now inadequate to the de-
mands, are creditable structures. Any
thing for the public schools appeals to the
patriotism of the average citizen. and when
the people of Helena were called upon last
summer to vote 500, 600 they did it cheer
fully. This money was for the purpose of
increasing the school facilities. It WAS sup
posed the trustees had used good judgment
in determining just what was wanted and
that the 100000 would fully cover all re-
quireuents. The new high school was
started. The contemplated cost was $65.-
600. The granite wallis are up, but that is
all. A new school building was erected in
the east side Of the First ward. II is still
incomplete nnd has not yet been occupied.
Some needed engagements were made on
the Sixth ward building, Another building
stands incomplete in the Seventh ward.
1t ia understood that the trustees are
paving rent for twelve extra rooms
throughout the city which have been found
necessary to accommodate the increased
school population. There are just twice as
many teachers in Helena now as there were
when MI. Il. 9. Young, the city. superin-
tendent, took charge of the schools.
That the improvements contemplated
now are necessary is not doubted. Some of
the taxpayers. however, believe the last
500, 600 provided should have been suffi
cient to meet all emergencies. There are
many people who have not yet given the
matter consideration, but there are others
who are interested and who 10 not know
Just where they stand on the question.
Some of the views obtained yesterday are
as follows:
L. H. Hershfeld-"Yes, / am in favor of
school purposes. When the last bonds were
voted l favored issuing $15O,0Oc. Money
was easier then, but now the situation is
quite different and I believe the proposed
issue of bonds will not sell as we'll as those
of last summer. The city and county to-
kCtAC1 dIO al OCOb uxCS-Aud4u e. VI
4 million dollars. This is divided into sew
eral different funds, but the burden falls
upon the people of this city. We must
keep up our public schools. however, no
matter what she cost: providing the funds
are judiciously used.o
to make a statement, as I have not fully in
vestiRated the situation. 1t occurs to me
though that the last 100000 was disposed
of very rapidly. l want to look into this
question before announcing my position"
A. G. Logan-"1 am about in the same fix
as Mr.. Chessman. | realize that our school
population has increased in advance OF the
accommodations, and there is urgent need
for more room. Whether we can pull
through with the present available money
or not I dc not know. This new Issue of
bonds should receive the close attention of
the bona fide taxpayers, who, am glad to
know, will have a voice in the matter that
they should. Only property owners can
vote on this question"
Col. @. A. Broadwater-"Yes; 1 am in
favor of the bonds. We want schools,
plenty of them, and of good quality. They
are the foundation of our commonwealth,
and too much cannot be done to keep them
up to a high Standard
Hugh Observation-Disclosures us all the
schools we need. The cost should be a Sec
bonds"
JOhn OnnOr- have moot looked into
the matter at all. II you want twelve good
reasons why David b. Hill should be the
next president, however, l can furnish
them"
L. H. Kleinschmidt-"My first impress
sion ia to favor the bonds. Upon looking
into the question, though, l may ~change.''
D. f.. Weston-"f the money is properly
handled | am in favor of the bonds.,'
John Steinmetz-'I cannot say that I am
in favor of the rapid manner in which the
last money was disposed. 1t looks like bad
management. When the people voted
100000 last summer it was under the i'm
preston that the trustees were men of good
business judgment. The condition in
which they have left all the new work does
not fulfill expectations. l am a hearty
supporter of schools, and if satisfied that
the money asked for will place our schools
in proper condition, 1 will be in favor OF
the bonds"
John w. Thompson-''I am inclined to
favor the bonds because l an in favor of
good schools. 1t looks like poor business
management though, that the 800, 600
bonds last issued did not accomplish more
results. 1t is safe to say, l think, that the
high school building, In course of construc-
ton, will cost 500, 600 when completed"
II. b. Palmer-''It is a bad season to dis
pose of bonds. ! would prefer delaying the
matter. Without fully investigating the
subject, it occurs to me that the 800, 600
voted last summer accomplished very little
good. The high school building promises
to cost a good deal of money. The court
house was built for about $500
See half page add of Bee Hive on other page.