The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-18

the affairs of the schools tn this city 10 shame.
Three members Of the board have practically
formed . combine to run the board and Mr. Col
kett and myself are entirely ignored. We sp
pear at disadvantage before the public and
even before the board. We know In advance
that anything of importance we may advocate
will be sat down upon. The majority meet by
themselves and act for the board. Our protests
are overruled and We are merely nominal men,
beers of the board. IL 10 an extremely unpleasant
position. and our attendance at the meetings OF
the board is merely . pertunctory proceeding
The attitude OF the majority toward rs is
very discourteoua But that could be over.
looked perhaps If the majority would confns
their actions within the law. But think it 10
the most lawless public body ! ever knew.
They have illegally sQuandered the peoples
money. In clear violation of the law, not to say
outraging delicacy and honor, the majority
have continually voted themselves contracts for
supplies. and evidently regard the position OF
school directors Is affording them an opportu-
nifty to use their power to their own pecuniarv
advantage. Bills which the auditing commit
tee refuse to sanction are allowed by the ma or-
ity. The cost per capita of education has teen
doubled within the past I've years, and 1t has
been in nowisc improved. TIE annual reportiB
sample piece OF extravaganza. 1t will cost
about S, 900 alone, and is flied with the greatest
amount of trash. Five hundred dollars would
have been ample for this purpose. The ex-
travagance and illegality of the proceedings
OF the board IL q shame. ! tried to have the
legislature increase the membership of the
board to seven or nine members, or even to one
member from each ward, but the three mem
bers were jealous OF the power they now 90
recklessiy WELD, and opposed any increase in
the membership whatever. Iregret the present
condition OF things very much, but am power
less to do anything
Director W. J. Colkett: confess that I have
not been kept advised as to the plans and wishes
OF the majority of the board. Neither Mr..
Prosch nor myself were invited to attend the
meeting which resulted In today's action. l
am in favor of a high school, as every one knows
by this time. would like to SEQ 1t established
upon the best possible basis, with a fine build
ing on central and commodious grounds.
But l do not want TO see this done
until the people authorize us by their
votes to buy the site and erect the
building. A propagation to buy high school
site was voted down by the people last spring.
Then the board attempted to evade the law by
its manner OF purchasing the Denny block in
two instailments objected to that and so did
Mr.. Prosch. II the high school can be legally
maintained in any way want to see it kept u p,
no matter what name it may be called.
The action of the school board has
aroused the community to full realiza-
ton Of the situation for the first time, and
several persons suggested holding a mass
meeting at the Armory this evening.
Among the latter was Rev. Wallace Nut
ting, who said:
II think it is shame to close the high
school. and am going to try to arouse the
public against it. We can't get along
without it, but if We can run it under some
other name perhaps it will be just as we'll.
On next Sabbath evening will make the
subject the main topic of my prelude and
discussion"
Rev. Alexander Alison will speak on
the same subject at the services in the
First Presbyterian church tomorrow even-
ing.