The morning call., 1893-09-11
BEANSTON'S PAY.
He Denies That He Gets
a Double Salary.
The Secretary of the Board of Edu-
cation and the Clerk of Commit
tees Are Distinct Positions.

George Beanston, secretary of the Board
of Education. makes an explanation in re-
gard to the charge brought against him
that he has been illegally drawing two SAL
aries for his services. one of 5000 month
and the other $50.
much of the business of the Board of
Education" he said to CALL reporter.
sis transacted in committees for the sake
of expediting ii. If all the trivial matters
connected with the department came be-
fore the whole board it would be in session
continually. For thirty years or more no
minutes of these committee meetings were
kept, nor any record of the communica-
tons sent 10 or from the dozen committees.
The consequence was that mistakes, mis-
apprehensions and disputes were con-
stantly occurring. the condition of affairs
being very unsatisfactory both TO mem bers
OF the board and to those with whom they
came in contact.
LAS retOrmatOTy measure the board
created the position of clerk of commit
tees, fixing the compensation at $50 a
month. Then, as | have been in the de-
partment since 1868, and was better posted
on the history ana routine work of educa-
tiOna matters the board appOin ted me to
tie place. Ii was not done in secret. but
at an open meeting of the board on No
vember II, 1891. The creation of the DO
sItion and my appointment were published
a I the time, and week later printed cir
cular containing the official announce
ment was issued.
The members of the board are bust
ness men and they do the committee work
IN the evenings at hours ranging from 5
p. NJ. until midnight, and usually after
dinner. The Office hours in all the de-
partments of the new City Hall are from
9 to 4, and no one would object to working
an extra hour; in the afternoon, in fact
| always do so, but no man can reasona-
bly, he expected 10 work all day and all
night, too.
"a great deal of work is entailed in writ
ing up the minutes of committee meetings
and IN attending TO committee CORE
spondence Although Saturday was a
holiday / worked from 9 A. n. until mid
night. All / wish To saw is that if any one
wishes the place at $50 he can have it, pro-
vided the board will accept my resignation
and appoint him.
The law allows the Superintendent of
Schools 10 appoints clerk, who is ex-Offi-
clio secretary of the beard. 1t is his duty
I o do such work as the Superin tendent
and the board direct. Another act per-
mts the board TO employ such assistants
as may be necessary TO carry on the work
of the department. 80 a committee clerk
ship is created, and in stead of employing
an outside man 10 do the work at SIPS, il
is gwen To me for $50. Ii the board can
get the work done for the latter amount,
and | am willing to do it. aud it is per-
formed satisfactorily, what more is there
to be said?
Before the order of the board crea ting
the Office was adopted it was submitted to
the City and County Attorney, who ap-
proved it, Several years ago extra men in
the Fire Department, through influence,
secured many positions, such as carren-
ters, janitors or the like, IN connection
with the School Department. At the tap
Of the bell they would run 20 the fire and
thus draw double pay. To stop this prac-
lice the Legislature forbid firernen to hold
places in connection with the municipal
government"