The record-union., 1892-02-05
WILL SUE FOR IT.
The Board of Education Insists on
Having More Money,
And Has Decided to Test It's Legal
Rights in the Courts-Trustees
to be Mandamused.

The Board of Education held another
special meeting yesterday to consider the
school-tax levy. 1t will be remembered
that the board asked for the maximum
amount allowed by laws cents on each
500 of taxable property-and that the
City Trustees, in fixing the tax levy for
this year, allowed but 26 cents.
Acting under instructions from the
School Board, President Tufts of that
body had taken legal advice on the sub
ject, and yesterdays meeting was called
for the purpose of informing the mem
bers of the result of his conference with
Lawyer Anderson.
The latter gave it as his opinion that the
Board of Education was acting clearly
within the law when it demanded a 35-
cent tax for school purposes, and there
was no doubt the courts would, if ap-
pealed to, require the City Trustees to
levy the tax asked.
During the discussion that ensued Di-
rectors Sherburn and Erlewine ex pressed
doubts as TO the propriety OF enforcing
the demand at this time. The former adj
mjCted that the board needed the money
to meet the expense of properly main
tanning the schools and making needed
Perry Seminary building for the high
school, but he did not think it wise to
exercise the legal power of the board to
enforce an increase in the tax rate. The
city needed high school and the other
school buildings needed repairs, but he
believed it would be better for the board
to get along the best it could with the
money that would be at its disposal
rather than bear the responsibility Of in
creasing the taX-roll beyond the 81 20
fixed by the City Trustees. The board
would be punched, to be sure, and school
buildings would have to go without re-
pairs, but the city also needs new CITY
Hall, and many other things that cannot
be had this year; hence, in his opinion,
they had better struggle along this time
on what money they Will have.
Director Erlewine expressed similar
views and Director Crouch was inclined
that way, but said he needed a little more
light on the subject.
Directors Tufts, Harrison, Chapman
and Davis all believed the money asked
for as absolutely necessary for the proper
maintenance of the schools, and they be-
lieved it their duty to secure it. The law
explained what their duty was and the
public expected them to fulfill it.
Finally Director Harrison moved that
the board take the necessary steps to Sc
cure the money asked for, and it was car
AtNNis 1'A1CNlOAS AODtI DuIH anu L1leWlllG
voted no, and Director Crouch declined
10 vote. The others voted in the affirma-
tive.
1t seems to be the general opinion that
the majority of the School Board has
made mistake. Admitting that there are
school buildings sadly in need of repair.
and that new quarters are desirable for
the High School, still the board should
endeavor to get along for the remainder
of the present school year without fore
ing an increase OF the city taxes. The
city needs many public improvements
that she cannot afford at this time, and
must simply do without them until her
finances shall be in a more prosperous
condition. Under these circumstances
all departments of the city should OBJ
serve the most rigid economy-tor an
other year, at -disagreeable though
it may be in many cases.