The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-08
HELENA SCHOOL BOARD.
New Trustees Sworn In and an
Organization Effected for
the Year.

Samuel w. Langhorne Chosen
Chairman and Forrest w.
ELLIS Elected Clerk.
. Epseeh From r. g. GilpatricK, tho RS
firing Chairin an, In Defense Ut His
Otiielnl Record.
When the school board met yesterday af-
t%crnoon, tho newly elected trustees, w. u.
Cox, fred Gamer and III. II. G. Klein
appeared and took part In the
proceedings. Before retiring,j /, ustee Jos.
Cans offered 4 resolution CT thanks to
Chairman s. G. Fitzpatrick, whose term
had also ran out. Chairman Fitzpatrick
said 1t was with som regret that he left the
boa I'd. In spite of all the difficulties at
tending the duties Of the ~trusteea there was
still a great dealof pleasure. Among those
pleasures was the fact that tho schools Of
Helena were in bettcr condition than any
others west OF ST. Paul. tIt ID the duty of
MI Americans" he aaid, ito rally to the
support of the schools. There may be
something wrong about them or their man
agement ut times; but because ons part of
q machine is ont OF order, 1T shows nothing
but that the piece only require repairing
to make the whole perfect. / have en-
deavored, both as a trustee and as d
citizen, to do my duty honestly,
faithfully and truly. There is an
old saying that silence ia golden, but
whom the slurs and inuendoes that have
been cast at this boatd and the wrongs
that have been done them are remembered.
/ question much whether it is SO golden.
No man who has been honest, who has full
filled his duty, need fear investigation.
Bnt when it goes beyond that it psrpetrates
q wrong against = man n his family. II
does not follow that when a oitizon be-
oomes . public officer he leaves all self
respect behind. I an not defending the
who use public Office for private gain.
But | do not believe there ever was one of
the trustees who ven into Office that would
defrand the district ont of a dollar" Even
in the affairs Of the high school he be-
lisysd the future would show shat tho trus-
SOSn A0A AUAU kuAAASA uAAU hAoAUy VI
the people. When the matters which were
being legally Investigated were fully
known the wrong would all be righted.
Mi. Fitzpatrick then referred to an article
published in tho Helena Journal
Of Fab. 8. which, he said, reflected on his
honor and integrity. He read an affidavit
signed by himself, that he was not a part
ner Of w. II. Gilbert in the plumbing con-
tract for the First ward school; that he was
in m way interested in it, nor did he re-
ceive any benefit from it. He. concluded
by hoping the new board would smooth out
all difficulties. Richard Jockey. the other
retiring trustee. wns not prenent. .
Trustee Guthrie was called to the chair
temporarily, and the board took an informal
ballot for permanent chairman. It re-
suited: S. w. Langhogne four, w. H.
Guthrie two, II. T. G. Kleinsehmidt ono.
The formal ballot was the same and Trustee
Langhorne was declared the permanent
chairman. He returned thanks in d brief
speech. The election of clerk was called
uI, and Trustee Kleinschnidt moved that
the present incumbent continue until the
board got ready to Make change. Clerk
i. w. Ellis said he would mot care to hold
on to the position under those oifcum-
stances. He had other business engage
ments, and would like to have the matter
settled at once. The board opened the ap-
plicatiens, Of which there ware six. T.. w.
Ellis was elected, receiving five votes.
The newly organized board then pro-
cesded with regular business. A novice was
from the city treasurer to the
effect hat the board had been assessed
S3,608 as benefits to this district in opening
said City Attorney Ctaven and County At
torney Nolan both thought ths district was
liable, though when the petition was signed
the board was given to understand that
they would not be assessed. 1t was ds-
eided to submit the cEss to court with AN
agreed statement OF facts, and if the judge
said tho district was liable, they would pay
the money.
The matter of taking part Of the west
side sohool hoase grounds to widen Hurt
son avenue at she band WAS referred to a
special committee, Tsustees Miller, Cox
and Walker, who will visit the grounds
with the city engineer and the council DORA
mittee on street grades, and look into the
matter.
A notice was received to this effect that
the boardNhad been sued by the admins
TRAITOR of the late A. j. McCarter for a bal
ance OF $3.50 on a school contract. 1t was
tho board only owed $40 balance on
the contract, and they will contest the suit.
The ownetc of the building at Idaho
street and Ninth avenue asked the boasd to
put the premises in the same condition MS
whom rented for school purposes.
The head ianitos said the building WAS left
in better shape on June l last than when
the board got possession, and that any dam
age since must have been inflicted by the
small boys. The ownera we so informed.
A motion to 90 ahead with the new school
in the Flower Garden addition was ~
ferred to the building oommittee, who are
to consult with superintendent Williams.
who drew the plans, ms to any changes that
may be wanted, before advertising for bids.
The congregation of the celorsd church
that they be refunded $50. which had
boen deducted from the rsnt they vera to
for the use of their basement for school
The money deducted WAS for
wood alleged to have been used IN
heating the church, This board thought it
hard to prove whose wood it WAS and or
dered the money refunded. 5
1t was decided to close tho schools at
three O'Clock on tho afternoon of A hor
day, to give the children n chance to plant
The schools Will close at tho snme
hour ON April II. to enable teachers and
Older pupils to attend tho Jenness- Miller
lecture.
Samuel Is. Davis 2~oscl1t.
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