The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-14

the school system and Genefally to explain the
diMculties pertaining TO the purchase of the
block on the Dsany tract for high school site
He aid:
Ever sincs have been member Of the school
board the majority of tho board have been
earnestly looking for suitable site for . high
school,, - the present. facilities are entirely in
adequate. The present quarters were only In
tended to be used ~ q makeshift, but IN addi-
ont the grammar school scholars from their
legitimate quarters in the CeatrAl school build
Ing -.
site question has met with opposition on the
part of Mr.. Prosch, who frankly states a. his
position that We do no. need any additional
high school facilities 30 far - room is con.
cerned. This position the majority of the board
do not think the correct one, ana a. far a. my
own experience goes in talking with our citi-
Gems does not seem to b the wish Of the people
OF Seattle.
Last fall W learned that it was possible to ~
cure block between seneca and University,
thirteenth and Fourteenth streets. from Mr. A.
ready occupied for dwelling purposes. Under
the law tho board is empowered to expend
sum not exceeding $4,000 in any one year for
buildings or sites, and under that provision We
obtained, last December. two options from MI
Denny: one for three fourths of the block for
$24,O00, to be accepted or rejected Immediately,
and the other for $4,000 for the one-fourth block
containing dwellings, to be accepted or rejected
IN January. which option was extended 70 tho
llsh OF this month, and was rejected by major
lty OF the board al . special Meeting last Satur-
ing MI. Denny's offer because we believed it for
the best interests OF the city that it should own
the entire block, and because. Knowing MT.
Denny a. We do. We believe his statement that
purchased, the Improvements made the prop
erty stand to HIM for . cost OF $4,000
1 Inc question OF the constitutions. sdTa.enn
70 maintain high school was first raised BY
Mr.. Prosch when the matter OF purchasing this
block was brought before the board Upon that
question there is diversity Of oninion ,. among
attorney of the board, thinks that under the
constitution and laws of the state We have no
legal power to maintain q high school and ~ =
sequence no power to build . high school, al
though he advised US that We did have the
power to buy the block for q school site and
trust to the legislature to give us the power to
build high school. Other able attorneys have
advised me that Nj. whites CONSTRUCTION was
strained and that we have the power now. The
whole question hangs upon the construction OF
the words common schools" Ono side main.
tanning that those words do not include high
schools - part of the common school system.
the other side that IL does.
President McDougal, Nj. Bufwell and myself
settled, and II it 10 decided that the law does not
give m the authority requisite, shall vote to
discontinue that branch Of our school system.
school system under mosern cona,t pas poes
without eaying. and It will be serious misfor-
tune to the city If it has to be discontinued Our
school system as now constituted 10 an admir-
able one, lacking only the proper facilities for
the high school. and is one of the strongest in
ducements we have TO offer people who are
seeking new home IN our state. Whether con-
sttutional or not, IL is part of the school sys-
tenn Of Tacoma aud Spokane. both of which
cities have good high school buildings.
certainly trust we may be able to continue
the high school and make 1t such q school q
will be . source OF pride to every citizen.