The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-14
As TO SCHOOL TRUSTEES.
They should lie Men of Education aud
Ability.

Ability.
BUTTE, Jan. 13.-The people of Butte,
especially the business men, are at last
beginning to show some interest in the
conduct of public affairs in the city and
county. This is evidenced by city hall in
vestigation and by score of letters re-
ceived by the STANDARD since the publi-
cation of the figures relative to the public
schools. Members of the new chamber of
commerce are also talking about what is
TO be done under the direction of that or
ganization toward investigating some
county affairs, and unless the good reso-
buttons will die "abornin'" again, the pub
lie may at least have the satisfaction of
knowing how its affairs are being con-
Quoted, which knowledge in some in
stances have been denied it.
Among the many communications re-
ceived by the STANDARD is the following
from one of the most prominent citizens
of Butte, n gentleman qualified to write
upon school matters, but who prefers to
have his name withheld, probably because
he fears the honorable members of the
board of school trustees might pass reso-
lutions to run HIM out of town for daring
to criticise them:
10 The Editor Of the Standard:
Tho friends OF the public schools of Butte dis
tricL should pass vote of approval to Colonel
Kesslcr and the STANDARD for their positions
relating to the schools presented in the issue or
the 4th inst. Professor Hendricks proposition
TO request the legislature to enact laws TO enable
the people to ''organlze and control city school
system" Is right, IL sad city school system is
not limited to the corporate limits OF a city. lie
Is also right in his proposition asking Tor power
ITO appoint and pay a truant officer Butte
school district should have a truant officer with
power TO enforce attendance. The influences
OF our streets are demOTaliZng to say the least.
Children, boys and girls. should be placed under
the influence Of the schools even If against the
wishes OF their parents. \ truant officer Will
clear the streets of hundreds Of children who
are brought in contact daily with the worst
element In the city. Give us truant Oiilcer II
nothing more.
But when it comes to the next proposition, "to
increase the tax levy to eight mills" agree
with Colonel kessler that this measure should
be carefully studied before being acted upon
An opportunity should be given Professor Hen
bricks To give his reasons for suggesting
an increase In the tax levy limit. l
have reason to believe Butte dis
trict can maintain 10 or even 1919 months school
on levy OF mills, the present limit. III the
STANDARDS figures are correct. | am unable
To find any reason for the increase proposed.
OF course, refer only TO Butte district. Moth
ing Is known about the other school districts of
the state. Clerk Parsons estimate, as near as
] can get II from report made TO the trustees
some months back, gives the cost OF each school
month for teachers, lanitors, fuel, repairs etc,
report that the Indebtedness at the beginning
OF this school year was about Sl2,J00. Dec. 10,
1891. the county treasurerS public statement to
the county commissioners showed balance of
$40, 600 TO the credit of district No. I. Deduct
ing the Indebtedness of last year, $1,000, from
the S90,5GO, there still remains SSS,060 TO the
credit of the district with which to maintain the
schools this year.
We have had no new building to erect, no OK
tensiye repairs, no new heating appliances and
outside. Placing the monthly expense at 81 500.
which Is in excess OF the clerks estimate of
cost, there is nothing In the way Of 10 months
term Of school. Ten months school Will cost
the district not over $4,000. Deduct this
amount from the balance after paying last
wears Indebtedness and there remains $4,000 to
the credit of the district with which To make re-
pairs and start the schools on the iirst month OF
next school year.
/ have personally gone to some of the school
buildings and made careful inquiry regarding
the condition OF repairs or Ill buildings belong
ing TO the school district, and can find no much
needed expensive repairs. The desks, tables
and fixtures are known To be in good condition.
At the limit 81 900 or $1,000 Will put everything
in shape for the next school year II due care Is
exercised In working the men In the employ of
the district These are the figures taken from
the ublished reports. II correct why do the
trustees claim the schools must close in nine
months" II there is money In the treasury the
people want 10 TO go To the schools.
Professor Hendricks should show why he con
sideTs the increase Of levy necessary. If re-
ports are To lie relied upon we have enough
and To spare IL applied To tho schools. | have
positive Information which, while not rejecting
ON the honesty OF the trustees, very decidedly
reflects on the business judgment OF those au-
thorfcd 10 employ labor. Carpenters and
skilled mechanics are employed at the union
wages to do unskillcd labor. These men are
permitted 10 put in time tearing down and
building up, or standing around looking at each
other. Broken down politicians paint and ham
mer and regularly draw their salaries from the
treasury OF the district. Am not right? Is II
not true that IL often takes one OF these high
priced men rs long To look over his job and get
ready 10 do 1t as II does TO do II" Again Sec
4 "a q Ia IL
NO trustee or other school officer shall be di-
Tectly or indirectly Interested in any contract
made by the board Of which he Is q member,
and any contract made IN violation OF this pro-
vision shall be null ana void.
This law Is a dead letter In the Butte district,
II am not mistaken. Two ot the trustees,
llawlcy and Refined. are carpen tiers now in the
employ of the district. ! am told that MIR.
Kennel Is constantly employed and that Mr..
lldNlcy exchanges places with another In order
10 avoid the law. | do not at all object 10 these
carpenters doing worA n it i necessary 10 have
ID done. hut Is it necessary" Is tt not true that
many nf the repair, are not necessary in order
10 make the children comfortable" II the re-
pairs are made TO keep these men at work,
Join toonel kes>ler IN asking for a law placing
the trustees and The clerk under heavy bonds.
The trust i sacred and every available dollar
must go 10 the schools and 10 the children. The
people must see 10 it that the trustees keep ont
for Inc unfoTtunate and the poor. Ihe law
should require a public accounting and the
trustees should not be a lowed 10 audit bills for
llNNis sNppilce tkN.. NllNll NNNlh 10 hA tue fll-
ant. The accounting should he made as pro-
posed 10y Colonel kcSsler, 10 avoid suspicion IL
nothing more.
Nj Editor. your suggestion regarding edu-
Gated men for the board of trustees sounds the
key note 10 the whole situation. The fount
cannot rise higher than the source. How can
YOU expect unsuccessful men who never at
tended even district school six consecutive
months In their life,to permit proper course TO
De pursued by those teaching In the schools? Is
Il not true that such men have very faint idea
81 the real needs OF the schools" can such
men uteNcpntly direct a school of the size 81
ours" Would any business firm OF this city
IN nix Of placing an Inexperienced. uneduca.ed
man q, the head Of It's business Butte school
district invests nearly Sloo0lo year IN lis
schools = tGiS not "a large sum OF money 10
turn over % men who have shown their inca
TaciIy 10 successfully manage their own little
AFFAIRS" l. 10 necessary 10 place such material
uu the school boards" favor giving our cdu-
r3t,oual institutions Ia the care OF educated
men. The friends ol public education In Butte
school district have night 90 demand an ac-
counting ~ an the money affairs ~ the district.
Nlta ~ experience. known scholarship and
good sense should always bC mace the repre-