The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-01-13

this money from the City Treasury. To vote it
away FOR the asking would be an act OF gross
injustice TO the taxpayers of this city, who are
staggering under all that they eau bear. 1t
would be wrong of greater magnitude TO vote
away this money to those who now well
paid when 1t is needed for the new schoolhouses
Tor those who are now deprived of instruction.
There is mistaken idea about tire Salary
Fund. Teachers ard others have been told
that it is State funds. THIS is not fact.
The State Superintendent of instruction. certi-
fies to the County Superintendent of Instruc-
tion the number of children, and the per capita
tax Is levied and paid by the County to the
state. This year it amounted to S275,3l1 .96 for
Jersey City. This was returned to Jersey City
by the State and also the proportion of special
State appropriation that Jersey City was en-
titled to- amounting TO $l7 4t5.37.
This Board desires to open Night Schools, but
no appropriation has b.en made. The Cor
poration Counsel informs this Board, In
official communication. that the night school
expenses can be paid from this surplus, and I
shall offer resolution to open night schools in
January.
We are also informed in the same communi-
cation that we can pay certain other expenses
OF this Board from this fund, for which no ap-
preparation has been made II they are not
paid from the surplus in this account and an
appropriation is made, bonds must be issuei to
meet these expenses and it must be included in
the tax levy OF next year. This Board and
every other Board should live within its avail
able funds, if possible, and let every years ac-
counts be balanced
II this surplus is voted away it will be neces-
sary for the Board of Finance to make further
appropr.ati to meet the expenses of the
Board for this year. This money will be raised
by issuing bonds and will come in next years
tax levy.
1t is in this way that the public debt has been
increased SO enormously. Ii every Board would
keep their expenses within the amount for each
current year, there would be some encourage
ment for the taxpayers.
The schedule OF teachers'salaries Is lower than
1t Is in New York. Neither do the employers
4taary do in
New York. We pay higher salaries than is
paid in other cities of the same size and in
cities that have smaller population. This city
cannot afford to pay high salaries as the large
city of New YORK Yet the Principals in our
schools claim that they should receive the
same.
1t has been stated that school teachers are
employed IT'S days in the year and are out or
school 1870 days. This is not the case in any
other occupation. The most of US have to work
early and late, six days of every week.
am in favor of using the surplus money to
pay the expenses Of this Board; TO open night
schools and admit the hundreds Of young peo-
pie who are obliged to work during the day and
who will devote their evenings to obtaining IN
structon. am opposed to voting this money
away to the teachers. believe in doing good
to the greatest number. In this casa it is no
injustice to the few who seek to be benefitte d..
The surplus in the account of teachers s al
aries can be transferred to other accounts. and
every dollar will be required to meet the cur
rent expenses of this Board during the prese Mt
fiscal year.
The last school census shows decrease In the
number of children of 1901, and the refo re
there will be $5S, ,839. 80 less money returned to
Jersey City oy the State for the next year than
realize the need of economy in every depart
ment of the city government. and while l re-
main member Of this Board, will oppose
every attempt to dispose of school funds with
out a full equivalent in return.
INCREASE VOTED DOWN.
Directors Allen aud Shain expires sed
similar views on the matter. and said
they could not consistently increase
salaries when the Principals were now
being well paid, and there were thousands
of dollars of outstanding Indebtedness.
They insisted upon decreasing debt rather
than increasing it.
DR.. Allen expressed himself clearly as
not being an advocate of low salaries but
of low taxation. Inasmuch as there was
shortage in the full account and
another in the night school account he
preferred meeting the latter to increasing
salaries.
The votes OF President Reid, Directors
further hopes OF an increase In pay In the
hearts of expectant principals and
teachers.
II believe that when the time comes Governor
Abbett will be the only man mentioned to sue
coed Senator Blodgett. know well that Mr..
Blodgett will not be candidate to succeed him
self. There is some opposition, I know, to
Governor Albeit. but it comes from dsappoint-
ed men. and will not amount to anything
SIT has been intimated that the corporations
may oppose him."
81 believe that the time for corporation ru lie
in this State has gone by. ."-James Smith, IN,
of Netoark to q reporter on June 30 1891.