The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-04
UNJUST AND ILLEGAL.
That Is What the Old School
Directors Say
OF EXPERT YOuNo'S JOB.
They Do Not Oppose an Investigation
Into Their Past Acts, but Con-
denim High Priced Contract.

The members OF the new school board who
voted to engage Douglas Young. the high
priced expert, to examine into the records
OF the district for the past five years to
set at rest the stories that members Of the
OH boards have been guilty Of gross negli-
gence and wrong-coing, were put upon the
Goals yesterday for about an hour by the
members OF the old boards who are at pres
ent residing In the city. These men Of DIFF
ferent political faith did not indulge In any
exhibition or fireworks or wasted bursts OF
eioquence. but went TO work a. once and
passed a set OF resolutions denouncing the
action OF the new board in engaging Young
at salary OF 1880 to do work that men
Just as competent would do for one-third
the amount. The feeling was general that
an honest and impartial examination should
be made OF their actions while holding office,
but strong objection was entered against
the unnecessary expenditure OF money be-
longing 10 the district. The statement
made by Messrs. Chilberg and Wells TO the
effect that number OF prominent citizens
had stated that former members Of the
board had been guilty Of gross, IL not GRIM
1nal, extravaganza. was discussed at some
length. and the action OF those members in
Withholding the names OF these ''promi-
nent people put down as unwarranted and
unjust.
George II. King. the only member OF the
pointment OF Young at so high a figure: j.
VI. Frink. w. II. Hughes, Everett Smith,
j. Il. MacDougall, W. j. Colkett, Thomas
w. Prosch and A. z. Burwell were the old
members present. and every one affixed
his name 10 the resolutions, which are as
follows:
THAT while we do not oppose an honest
and impartial investigation into our past
acts. we condemn the appointment Of Doug
las Young to make such examination with
out competition. and at price greatly in
excess OF what others equally competent
would do the work for. IS n piece Of I'M
due extravaganza.
That We thank the executive committee
OF the A. 7. A, for their prompt denun-
citation Of such action OF the school board.
and are glad 10 learn that a majority and
the better element of that organization
believe in an honest and economical admin
istration OF public affairs, and that such
majority heartily diSapprove OF the action
OF the school board in the employment Of
Douglas Young at the price named
That the action OF the pres
ident and secretary OF the
school board in executing the contract
with Young without first having said con-
tract approved by the board was IN excess
OF the authority Of these officers and Illegal.
That during our several terms as men,
bers OF the board OF education we never
hi4tN "a tpINtdGl iuhOiflIlE Tic expenditure
OF so large an amount Of public money 10
be let without public competition.
That while Messrs. Wells and Chilberg
may be justified in Withholding the names
Of any parties who have confcentially
stated that former members OF the school
board have been guilty OF gross, If not
criminal, extravaganza and wrong-doing,'
there can be no such obligation in regard
TO public accusations, and the action OF
these gentlemen In Withholding the names
OF those who publicly make such charges
is unwarranted and unjust.
'"rhe explanation of these gentlemen.
as published in the daily papers. in our
opinion, affords the public no satisfactory
reasons for their conduct In the matter"