The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-23
MAYOR GLEASON EXPLAINS
WIZ HIS SCHOOL TEACHERS HAZE
NOT, BEEN PAID.
It was n Lert-handed Explanation, and the
Teachers VIII Get No Christmas Money
Ifnd % Meeting and Passed u NJ otion.

Teachers VIII Get No Christmas Money
H"d Meeting and Passed u NJ lotion.
One hundred and thirty.fve schoolma ans
OF Long Island City who have not received
their salaries for two months had meeting
yesterday to flnh out why the money was not
forthcoming. For the purpose OF explaining
tho matter Boss Mayor Patrick Gleason no
peared before them. The meeting was held in
the old Ackerly Il Gerard factory in Fifth
street. to which the First ward school had been
transferred by the Mayors Board OF Education
about year ago. when the Mayor first bought
the property 1t was supposed to be a meet
ing OF the Teachers Association OF the city.
but the big Mayor ran IL just the same
There was many an anxious heart among
the throng that filled tho rickety seats on the
top floor OF the old factory. Bare brick walls
and an upholstered ceiling gave tho place q
poverty-stricken aspect. In gilt frame ut
one end OF the room a portrait OF LonRfolow
gazod inIuiringly on the gathering. whle one
OF Mayor Geason's defunct campaign
posters. gorgeous In red ink. illumnut-
cd the brick wall at the other end. When
every seat was occupied Sheldon J. Par
dee. superintendent Of tho schools. called the
nesting to order and briefly stated its object.
Then there was lul. which was shortly
broken by the sound OF ascending footsteps on
the creaky wooden stairs. and soon the Mavor
hove in sight. blowing like a porpOse. The
trip up the stairs had winded him. Then
School Commissioner Andrew Schmutzer. in
accents In keeping with his name. finished a
brief address to the teachers with the remark:
Now Meester Gleason lie will oxblain w
you no your moneys get"
Quiver OF excitement ran around the room.
All eyes were directed to one spot. and tho
boss Mayor. who has not hesitated to tear up
rnfl la AVID o,,N,
lost his nerve for n minute and blushed like
schoolboy. Before lie had his overcoat Off his
shyness had disappeared. and he faced the
battery OF pleading eyes In fighting trim. With
tho piano between him and his hearers he be-
gan his speech. his white hair glIsteninG and
his moustache bristling.
He knew, he said. that sufficient money had
been put In the budget to pay tho teachers'
salaries and no was unable to account for tho
fully" and viii get It until the first o. the year
and three years more. too"
There was n faint attempt at applause from
cer,ain quarters Of the room. :,
Don't clap broke in the Mayor. "Idon't
Snr 1 nn eaIs sn mot laid for You're
How is my money collected ?" he demand
ed Of the startled teachers.
There WAS no answer.
funds collected"
It's your duty" lie continued, as his pom
dercus rirh, hind s,oye the air in sweeping
seTSh}nre' 70 NM out ., ,. s,,.,,,.,,,,.
Pardee who sat facing the teachers. through
series Of questions in ad, ition and finance.
The Huierin'cndents replies were not loud
Sneak, out" ordered the Mayor, Il liketo
hear children In school speak out.
The super intcndent did as direct ed. and he
schoo fund " cortsnod s%'+05. Willis only My
S'iOuOn was needed for the years salaries
mnds Tsffs s"s A sS S Ss
t o rHs1s .i q in cG 9SS us get yy
isn't i paid out to you? It's politics" and the
boss Mayor, paused fer breath. , v,n
there's lie theres hope. Thcs think they'll
be IN my place h TIE Tst OK the year. But they
Both fists emphasized the assertion. Get
formed his hearers that the salaries OF many
fund. And hope there DC no Kicking il /
a bland smile He then informed the sunerin.
tendent that his statements in regard to the
sch19 funds were ialS s. , ,uo,o :, . ,,.,.
feS%s"t. Slst ala VOW Do VIII liz money e.,
cations "G Sorlis" Mr ' fnTde S '' '0af' Aou
You should have s stonnedd them en-,
y"a fS" brek ok rh1' the Mayor
You suggest eH. and what did it amount to?'
He then enlenyored to demonstrate to the
BOOKS better than your supe rintcndan,." lie
o the Would
many teachers there are. what their salaries
are. and how much SHOULD be pnid ont.
challenge you now here. with broad
sweep of his hand toward the wondering
tenchers. IF everything was not provided for
down to scruhhing brushes"
He paused for a reply. but there was none.
Throwing on his great coat and jnmminC his
high hat on his head. he walked into an adj
Trincipai Char ". Gould Of tho Fourth ward
school moved that the teachers upply to the
o %a the n ray This Would enabe them to
gotiate the warrants.
Il would take my warrant" said Mr. Gould
10. i won't!". shouted the Mayor. from the
Principal Peter L. Demarest OF the Fifth
ward school volunteered tn" information that
ed since T@s" tn beg @ ." the School year
What 2" calculated the Mayor. "Oh! you
must have year OF your own
demanded to know /! there was anv one pres
ent who wHnted to ask hin any Questions He
say It was the Mayors fault there T TSs
m.etn sn'y Was to st win muddsd
when Com missioner schmutzer suR-
eested that the Mayor &C. as Ghairmnssn
ana ln6 MRyoT HCCoHtel WIN CciSiny.
famous Peter F. Tsrpy. principal OF tho First
ward school. denounced the. refusal OF City
Treasurer Bleck wsnn to pay the warrants as q
political trick. Ex-senator Edward +. Pagan
me Mayor then took another whack at Super
Mr.. superintendent" he said, impressive
ly. "how much money Is thers in the school
fund.-"
was the cheerful reply.
The Mayor looked as II he was going to have
IA fit, but recovering himself. continued the
Examination In u husky voice.
And what do YOU sayW WAS his next Ques-
vi think there's nome" was the answer.
%Well. what do your books show - howled
tia Mayor in rage.
"u'hat the accounts have been overdrawn
"Anh where has that money como too"
Thought that was Just what YOU wera try
ing e. explain" cooily retor.ed tn" Superin-
tendspt. This last rnply almost carried the
Mayor off his feet. and the DISCRIMINATION
came to II dead stop.
Them the motion to apply to the Board OF
Edncatven for individual warrants, was rutt,
and tho( Mayor directed all those in favor q II
to hold Ap their hands some Of the tenchers
wore at Ia loss to know whether the Mayor
wanted Them to vote for the motion or not
and, one hitter another. the hands wcro hosl-
tatincly raised until q majority OF them were