Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-08-15
JANITORS AND THEIR PAY
The Salaries Are Due But Are
Not Yet Payable.
WHO WILL SIGN THE vOUCHERSp ?
Lively Session of the Board of
Education.

The Janitor Question Again Looms Up
Before the Guardians of the Public
Schools. and Great Deal of Discussion
Follows the Introduction Of the Subject
Daniel Ross Elected to Fill the Vacancy
in the First Ward Representation--other
Matters of Public Interest.
A horrible night mare loomed up be-
fore the eyes of the members Of the
Board of Education at Monday nights
meeting when Mr.. Belts innocently
moved that in view of the fact that
many of the principals Of the schools
are out of the city, the chairmen of
the several schools be authorized to
sign the vouchers of the janitors so
that the latter can receive their nav
without waiting until the teachers
return. The night was extremely hot
and some of the members had hoped
for short session, and as soon as the
question of janitors' salaries was
brought up there were visible signs of
discomfort all over the room. The an
nouncement of the chair that such a
motion, being contrary to the rules of
the board, would be out of order, was
like an oasis in a desert. But the
words had scarcely left President
Baird's lips, when DIR. Shortlidge, who
had evidently not heard the decision.
OF the chair, arose and INQUIRED il
there were any teachers in the employ
of the board. He said in s.opinion,
there will be no teachers in the service
of the board until September, and
therefore no vouchers can be signed
until that time, if the rules Of the
board are lived up to. He supported
his belief by reminding the president
of the fact that the committee on
teachers had, in July held meeting
and appointed = not reappointed Ia
corps of teachers for the school year
commencing with September. There
was difference of opinion among the
members on this point, some contend
ing that the teachers are now in the
employ of the board and have right
and are required to sign the vouchers.
Mr.. McCausland thought the presi>
dent was right He said it would be
contrary to the rules, and as the board
had recently made the regulation gov
erning the matter iron bound, he did
not deem it consistent to advocate a
violation.
1t was the opinion of President Baird
that most of the principals are in the
city and the ianitors will not have
much trouble to hunt them up. He,
of course, assumed that the teachers
are now in the employ of the board.
1t was thought that the matter ended
here, and other business was pro-
ceeded with, but along toward the end
of the meeting Mr.. Morrow inquired Of
the chair as TO how the janitor ques-
tion stood. He was informed that the
salaries would be paid according to
the rules of the board
A number of the members believing
that the teachers will have no au.
thority to sign the vouchers until Sep.
temher, stated that they would like to
see the janitors paid before that time,
as some of them are dependent on the
money for meeting current bills. Mr..
Morrow was one of the number who
would like to see the janitors receive
their salaries without delay and he in
quired if the board could not take some
cedure. He was informed that the only
course would be to amend the rules,
which would require two weeks notice.
Accordingly, he gave notice that at the
next meeting he will offer an amend
ment to the rules which will authorize
the chairman of the visiting commit
tees on the several schools to sign the
vouchers during the months of July
and August.
The members breathed freely, and
several breathed sigh of relief, when
it appeared to them that the janitor
question had been dispensed with for
two weeks.
But they were again thrown into con-
vulsions, when DR.. Shortlidge made
motion that Arthur N. Davis, the iani-
tor of No. 81 School, who has caused
the greater part of the trouble hereto
fore, be allowed SIG. 81. A similar mo.
tion was made at the last meeting, and
there was SO much contention over it
that it was decided to postpone action.
The jaintor had been charged with
dereliction of duty and ins,lbordina-
tion, and the principal of the school
had positively refused to sign his
voucher.
The motion brought Mr.. Morrow to
his feet. He wanted to know what
that was for. If it was for salary, he
contended; the adoption of such mo-
tion would be in direct opposition to
the spirit of the rules of the board,
which the members haa just decided to
uphold.
President Baird said he understood
that it was not for salary, whereupon
DIR. Crumbaugh wanted to know what
it was for. eff I understood the mo-
tion at the last meeting" he said, sit
read for services rendered. If 1t is
not for salary l would like to see
bill, SO that we can know for what We
are asked to pay the money"
The motion to allow the amount of the
claim was put to vote and carried by
vote of to g.
This action finally settled for the
time being the contention about iani-
tors, but there was report from the
committee on fuel, heating and VEN
tilation, which stated that John G.
Devenish of No. 819 Orange street
had been selected as ianitor for the
new Wollaston School, No. 8, at an
annual salary of S400 This was
another phase of the janitor question,
and one on which all of the members
we're agreed The action of the COM
mittee was sanctioned by unanimous
vote.
On motion of Senator Pyle, the board
vent into nomination and election
ior member from the First ward to
i'll the vacancy caused by the resigns-
ion of Jesse X. Baylis when he was
.hosen president of City Council. Mr..
Pyle nominated John j. Cassidy and
Ir. Coyle nominated Daniel Ross.
Messrs. Carter and Mcdaniel were ap-
pointed tellers. The vote resulted;
Ross, II; Cassidy, .. Mr., Ross was
declared elected
A communication was received from
George W. McCaulley stating that he
lad sent his men to South Wilmington
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