The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-14

tiou. purchase price s15o0a While il Is
true that the people we're called upon ana
did authorize by a vote the purchase OF
these and other school sites Il is 70 pe re-
GREETED that the motives that prompted
the selection and submission TO the people
Of such sites. and al such prices, cannot
be more closely inquired into
Extravaganza Charged
81 charge extravaganza in the expendi-
ture Of the public money; il does no good
to particularfze- but out of hundreds
shall mention three Items of size, 10 wit:
The issuance Of warrants 10 cover the per-
sonal expenses OF the secTetary's visit 10
Chicago, during the Worlds fair. for the
purpose Of experimenting Seattle's school
exhibit s55.35. the issue Of the annual re-
port. lssl-s2 titled THE Seattle Schools.
az a cost % g 2aI Is: extras allowed the
contractor OF the Pacific school, 81. as
Ordinary care does not seem 70 have
been used. either in the purchase Of sup
plies or in the matter CO repairs and i'm
p-ovements not submitted by advertise
ment for bids.
"Favoritism and not competition seemed
to have swsyed the purchasing committee
and its agent
THE insurance policies carried upon the
several buildings were excessive; note in
relation to this that the firm OF which Dr.
rector Spencer was a member received
during Isa3 premiums to the amount Of
$i,sss gu, Of a total Of i.5ees ..
This Was Better.
part 4. December I, 1ssi. 70 December
/. 49, Covering this period ind greater
care in the conduct Of the office. almost
perfect records. and from the records ap
parent regard and attention on the part
OF the membe> of the board to their du-
ties as such.
Recommendations.
u suggest that system Of double entry
accounts that would show the expenditures
Of the district and for what purpose, aad
the account Of the district With the treas
urer. be established. The auditing COM
rsitfee should be required to give the great
est care to the consideration Of hills.
II suggest that ali bills be backed and
numbered. that pay rolls Of teachers and
jaR.tors. by schools. be audited and passed
through The minutes n detail That Il new
and different form of warrant register be
adopted. that the date of receipt. signature.
date reported by treasurer and interest, If
any. be recorded | submit herewith. for
your consideration, forms covering above.
An examination OF the yearly expen-
atuTe for fuel should suggest some meas
ure toward preventing waste. The fact
that the janitor's account of coal received
me to suggest that some means should he
taken that the board may be sure of receiv-
ing correct weight
II suggest that This board should seek
to have the next legislature amend the laws
governing schools in cities of 1000 Or more
Inhabitants that the election for direct
ors be held in May instead Of November
that each new board may take charge with
the new school year. and that the fiscal
year end with the school year; that each
director be paid an annual salary. and be
required to give bonds in the sum of not
less than $1,000 for the faithful perform
ance Of his duties as such. that all pr.n-
c.pals and teachers be governed in their
employment by civil service rules. and not
be subjected 10 the likes and d.sl!kes of the
hoard Of education or superintendent, 10
political or other ike tests. their success
and good conduct being a guarantee Of
continued employment.
Il suggest that the county superlntend-
ent be called upon to perform his duty in
accordance with section Is, OF the school
laws governing cities of I001c or more IN
habtGnts which reads. - and SAID
accounts and the records of sad board in
cities organized under the provisions Of
this act shall al all times be subject 10 the
inspection and examination Of the county
superintendent of said county whose duty
II shall be annually TO examine said rec
ords and check SAID accounts. and report
in writing to the hoard of county commits
siouers Of said county the nature and state
OF sii1 accounts and any facts that may
be required concerning said records"
The Claim Refused.
". II White. attorney for the board
reported that the board az county com
missionefs had refused to pay the claim cf
the school district for penalty ana .nteres.
OF delinquent taxes. Another cO1sulta-
N - he'll Wi he n n o
before suit is entered The scnool board
woald consider faVora5ly an agreement ~
which the county would pay the school
district 5000 q year
Mr.. FurIh Explains II.
Jacob Furth said yesterday. in regard to
that part Of Expert Young's report con-
corning him.
In reference 10 the report Of Douglas
Young to the school board | will say that
the entire transaction of the purchase of
those bonds was known to every member
Of the board. l bid FOR those bonds on be-
half pf Messrs- Coffin X stanton, Of New
York city. f3r whom I was acting IS
agent In this bond purchase. as well Is IN
a former one where they purchased
through ne S3lano1 state bonds at per
cent and 2 premium They wired me on
the dav Of tae sale what / was TO BID for
them. ard their bad by nc rs agent. vas
given the c0uuty treasurer in accordance
with the Instructions received from New
York. l advised them on that day that
Their hid was accepted. being The lowest
bf They ratified the purchase BY wire
on the following day they wired me say
in9 that their ibid WAS on Il bass Of . and
mot per cent. interest This considered
q slhtsrfIge an their aart and so advised
them. bat they absolutely refosed TO AZ
cent the per cent bonds ! informed the
school board ana also the boards attorney