The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-01
THE ISSUE JOINED.
Lawyers Disagree on Payment
of School Warrants.
A TEST CASE IN COURT NEXT.
County Treasurer Phelps Continues to
Fay Old warrants by Legal Ad-
v.ce-Creaitors Must Act

The complications predicted IS result
of the defeat Of the school bonds have al
ready arisen. the BOARD Of education and
County Treasurer Phelps having joined
issue regarding the order in which school
warrants shall be paid. According to the
opinion OF the attorneys for the school
hoard, the tax levy Of this year must De
applied to current expenses. but on the
other hand County Treasurer Byron
Phelps. acting Under instructions from
the prosecuting attorney. notifies the
board OF his intention TO pay outstanding
warrants in order Of issue.
The board met night before last and
considered the question thoroughly. The
members had before them letter from the
county treasurer. in which he stated that
he had made call for outstanding war
rants from 4, 1a6 to 1850 inclusive. and
should continue 10 pay in order Of issue
unless the hoard took proper action to
stop him. The board understood that the
treasurer was acting under the advice OF
the prosecuting attorney. who is the legal
adviser of county officials. II was evident
to every member Of the board that an i'm
porfant question had arisen. Previous to
this. when there was some tax about
the schools closing because, the bonds
had not carried, the boards attorneys.
White & Munday. decided that the schools
could be continued without trouble. be-
cause, az they interpreted the law. the tax
levy for this year applied TO the current
expenses Of the present year and not the
payment of outst anding debt. The con-
fiict of opinion was direct. The board de-
cided to take no action whatever and leave
the creditors under the Obligations of the
present year to bring the question to test
in court. ID. A. Spencer. one of the men,
bers of the board, said last night in regard
to the matter:
1.-THE fact is the situation for the men,
bers of the school board is q somewhat en-
barrassing one. and one that is calculated
to be Of some injury to the city. There IS
plenty Of money seeking investment on
paper OF this character. school bonds and
warrants. and prominent banker OF the
city has lately stated TO me that if there
were no questions raised regarding the
school warrant he could take So, 900 q. par.
! think that II the voters OF the city had
fairly studied the questions at issue when
they voted on the bonds they would have
almost unanimously favored them. The
impression seems to prevail that the boayd
was attempting 80 get large sum to ex-
pend. which was without foundation. The
only object tho board had was fund the
debt at q low rate Of interest and save the
district large sam Of money. There is
not q member of the board who does not
feel the need of strict economy at this
time. The fact is am afraid that the
feeling will grow 80 strong that II viii I'M
pair the efficiency of the schools"
At the same meeting j. Z. Helms, city
building inspector. reported that the
grounds Of the South school were sliding
and advocated piling close to the building.
The board thought there was no immedi-
ate danger, but favored an investigation
by q competent engineer. The secretary
WAS then instructed to employ City Engi-
neer Thomson.