The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-01-13
Movement to Increase 1t De-
feated. by a Strict Party
Vote in the Board of
Education.
DEMOCRATS FAVOR LlBERALlfY.
Director Jones Calls the Teachers
Treasury Looters," and Uses
Other Uncalled For Terms.

EEiuCIDdlS ana teachers OIL Gu0 GuUliC
Schools was settled last night at meet
ing of the Board of Education. The dis
position OF this much agitated question
will not be very gratefully received by
the applicants, unless they do not object
to being dubbed treasury looters." The
contemplated and much hoped for in
crease was knocked out by strictly
party vote. the Republicans opposing it
aud the Democrats supporting 1t. The
Democratic minority did not, however.
submit without struggle, and the result
was lively tilt between the Directors.
Director Moran and his law books fgur-
ing conspicuously,
The salary question was brought before
the Board for discussion, when Directors
Alien and Jones of the Committee on
Salaries reported that 1t was to the best
interests of the Board and taxpayers to
adopt the salary schedule in operation
during the past year.
Mr.. GARkIsoN's SCHEDULE.
Director Garrison at once offered an
amendment which provided for the in
crease in salary OF the Principal of High
School to 50. .14o per year; Vice Principal.
Instructors, $1,000; Drawing Master.
80. 600; male trainer, $3.50; female trainer.
$3.50; Principals of Training Departments.
81. 200; Vice Principals, 1924; three assist
ants at $500; five at $516; one at $52S; Male
Grammar Department Principals. 81, 800:
twelve assistants. at $2,316; one at $4,000;
twenty Female Principals, at 81. .150;
fifteen Vice Principals, at $924; Head
Assistant. S760: two Under Assistants. at
$500; twenty Vice Principals, at $720;
seventy-two Principals Assistants, at
1924; l21 Assistants. at $52S: eighty Assist
ants. at $3.50; and sixty-dye Assistants,
at $40S.
The amendment was knocked out by
strictly party vote. When the original
question was moved. Director Allen in
formed the Board that he had received a
communication from Corporation Coun-
sci Edwards, which said the surplus. IL
such there be in the salary appropriation.
could by proper transfers being made
with the concurrence OF the Board OF FL
nance, be expended for other purposes
than that for which it had been appropri-
ated. Director Moran objected TO Mr..
Edwards opinion being read, and Direc-
tor Allen was declared out, OF order.
President Reid voted for the old schedule,
so did DR.. Shain.
DIRECTOR MoRAN's PROTEST.
Then Director Moran,s vote was called
for and in explaining it he said:-"This
thing has gone too far and 1t Is time halt
was called, and | propose exposing the
workings OF the Finance Committee. ]
do not aee why any member ofthis Board
should attempt to force upon us an opln-
ion from a law official, which has not
been asked for by the Board. l have
been ignorant ofthe doing of the Finance
Committee for three months past. II the
Board wanted an official opinion on this
matter why was 1t not asked for? How
ever, / disagree with the opinion as ex-
pressed, and under the law Of 1877 no ap-
priu
purpose than that for which 1t was in
tended. This is only point raised to
deprive those persons. who are entitled
to an increase III pay. of what Is justly
due them. have been called in to help
straighten out matters for our Finance
Commirtae, aud had my advice been fol-
lowed no deficiency would ever have oc-
CURED in the salary account or any
other"
MR. JONES BELLIGERENT.
"This opinion" replied MIR. Jones, ST
believe to be true. The finances of this
Board 1 look after, and know our stand
ing and can attend to IL quite as well as
the man that knows it ALL We have
sufficient money to meet all deficie ncles.
This surplus. over which there has been
SO much talk, is not for promiScuous dis
tribution. It was intended for new
schools, for tenchers who have not been
appointed, for musical director. for n
what right we have to vote this money
away in raising the salaries OF our Prtnci-
pasf Must we answer every application
of our employesW
Mr.. Jones then proceeded to make the
following remarks, which he had pre-
viously prepared with much care. and OF
which he had type-written copy with
him:-
This may be characterized as raid upon the
City Treasury by the principals OF the Public
Schools. am informed that this is not new
thing. Every year, as regularly as the year
rolls around, the principals meet and appoint
committee. who wait upon the members of this
Board, other city officials and persons OF nfiu-
ence, begging RAISE in Salaries. This year
there is an apparent surplus brought about in
this way:-ln June, when the estimates for the
new fiscal year we're made up by this Board, it
was supposed that the new School No. 20 would
be opened in December, 1892, or January, 1895,
and the amount necessary for that school was
included in the estimates, and also for teacher
of music and drawing at the High School, The
Board of Finance appropriated sufficient to
cover these expenses. The teacher of music
| and the teacher Of drawing were not appointed,
| the new School No. rs was not completed and
will not be occupied until next September, and
| the money will not be required for the purposes
named. Other contingencies may arise. how
ever Another school is required in the Green
vile section the Board of Street and Water
Commissioners have no money to provide new
| school house, and it may become necessary to
| hire building for that purpose until new
l
The principals who are fighting for the sur
plus in the account of teachers salaries tell
| those whom they see that the surplus not
| paid to them, will be returned to the State
| Treasury. This Is not q fact. Any balance OF
| this account reverts to the City Treasury, for
| the benefit of. the city and taxpayers. Not q
| dollar will be returned, and there never was q
| dollar returned to the State by Jersey City since
| it was made city.
This statement can be verified by the books of
Jersey City. by the Comptroller. City Treasurer
| and City Clerk.
| surplus was originally intended for. 1t is sufi-
| cient for their purpose that it is in sight, and
| they cannot rest until 1t is disposed OF.
| Here is q city that cannot build schoolhouses
| for the thousands of children that are out OF
| school, They cannot even buy site for q
schoolhouse in the Woodlawn district The sur
1 plus to the salary account would pay for the
| land required and considerable part OF the
1 cost of the building. yet the Board of Education
/ is seriously urged and importuned to vote it
| away.
The High School site was bought years ago.
! but the city has been unable to furnish money
| to erect building.
| The Committee of Teachers and Salaries have
| large number of applications now on file for
| appointment as Principals, more than could be
| placed if every Principaship was vacant, from
| graduates of the best colleges and insttut ions
4 OF learning In the country, who are receiving
4 much lower salaries in other places.
/ Je sey City cannot AFFORD to pay higher salar-
| les to the teachers in tho Public Schools. 1t
Is not necessary to do so, as shown by the large
number of applications to this Board.
Last year a resolution was passed by this
/ the High School $500. This resolution was
promptly vetoed by the Mayor of Jersey City.
| snail oppose and resist this attempt to hlch