The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-23
SCHOOL BOARD ACTS.
Closes the Public Schools in
North Topeka.
Pays No Attention to the Foolish
Health Board.
SCHOOLS STAY SHUT
Until DiphtheriaHas Practically
Disappeared in N. Topeka.
Board Will Use Its Own JGdg-
ment Hereafter
And Close Other Schools in the
City, if Necessary.

The city school board has decided to
place no further dependence in the OH
stinate and foolish health board at pre-
sent, and last night decided to close the
schools in North Topeka. where the
diphtheria epidemic has been severest.
Although the deaths have not been so
numerous during the last few days as
they were week ago, the general fear
and alarm among parents has been so
great that the school board has decided
that it will be better for all concerned to
shut up the schools in North Topeka
until the disease has practically disap-
peared. 1t has become so widespread
through the negligence of the health
board, however, that it may take con
siderable time to stamp it out.
The Topeka board of education met
last evening at the high school rooms and
adopted a resolution to close the Grant
and Quincy schools until such time as
it seemed advisable to open them again.
This includes all the white schools in
the First ward. One colored school
where there have been no cases of sick
ness is still open.
The move of the board was taken
without consulting the board of health
aud is undoubtedly a wise step. The
decreased attendance at these schools
made the longer keeping of them open
u farce and also hardship on those who
were away. After time, when the dis
ease is crushed out, the schools may
open again and all children take an
equal start in the work.
Besides, the danger OF communication
is greatly lessened now that the pupils
are no longer in contact with one
another.
The board of education should care
fully watch the progress of the disease
on the south side of the river and if it
shows symptoms of Increase, as it did on
the north side, take prompt steps to at
once stop its spread by closing the other
school buildings.
Just now there is a lull in the disease,
the absence of smaller pupils doing
much to prevent its outbreak in the
school houses.
The following call was issued by
President Jesse Shaw yesterday:
There will be a called meeting of the
board of education at 7:3O this evening,
October 90, for the purpose of consider
ing the advisability of closing the schools
situated in North Topeka. together with
any other business of like character that
may lawfully come before said meeting y
The roll call showed Messrs Miller.
Priddy, Beck, Powell, Wilder and Shaw
present.
This was Mr.. Wilder's first appearance
at Il board meeting, and those present
shook hands with him while he was as
signed to the vacant seat Of J. B. Thomas
Mr.. Beck introduced a resolution fav-
oring the, closing of the Topeka schools
until such u time as the disease and pan
ic now existing would have Iessened or
Disappeared DR.. Powell seconded the
motion. and moved an amendment that
the words schools of North Topeka" ! be-
substituted for ''city schools and MIR.
Miller seconded the amendment
The original motion of Mr.. Beck was
then voted down and DE- Powell pre-
sented a resolution favoring ''tne closiu q
of the Grant and Quincy schools, it
being deemed advisable by the board
owing to local conditions"
This was voted down and a motion to
adjourn was lost. Edward Wilder then
presented the following resolution, which
was carried; Mr. Beck alone voting in
the negative.
"On account of local conditions in
certain districts in North Topeka the
attendance at Grant and Quincy street
schools has diminished to such an extent
as to seem to make it advisable 10 close
these two schools for a short time in
order that the relative standing of the
pupils may be maintained as nearly as
possible"
One member, who came late, during
some remarks said: ave must word
this resolution very cautiously and be
conservative in our action SO that the
JOURNAL will not find out What we say
and poke fun at u.s." Immediately be
hind the speaker sat a JOURNAL reporter
and the rest of the members enjoyed a
hearty laugh.
No mention was made in regard to the
salaries of the teachers of the closed
schools during the vacation, but Super
intendent Davidson said their pay will
continue right along
This action of the school board is a
direct rebuke to the board of health and
the mayor who have stubbornly refused
to act in this matter. 1t will be interest
ing to know how many mothers viii cast
their votes next time for an executive
officer who is so blinded to the iuteres 3
of the home as to refuse to move in the
matter of terrible epidemic even after
there have been 81 deaths from it