The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-02
THAT ST, 500 EXPERT
School Board Explains Why
Young Was Employed.
REPLY TO HE A. PAS DEMAND.
That the Record Books We're Irrexu-
larry Kept Seems TO Re the Only
Char.e--The Contract.

larry Kept Seems TO Re the Only
CharSe-The Contract.
The criticisms upon the action Of The
board OF education IN making a contract
with Douglas Young TO expert the accounts
OF the school district for the last six years,
have called forth letter from the COM
rnittee OF the board upon whose recon-
as follows:
Seattle. Wash, Dec. 81. 1895.
TO the Editor; Replying 70 the conn
munication in this mornings Post-Intelli-
gencer from a committee Of the a. z. A,
signed by Samuel Burdett, chairman. and
l.. NJ. Presnail. secretary. We have TO say
that we were satisfied from public anu
private demands made upon Us that the
people desire that the work be done. From
personal knowledge We believe II viii re-
suit in good, 1t has been charged publicly
and privately that there has been gross, II
not criminal. extravaganza and wrongdo-
Ing. Many gentlemen OF prominence have
alleged both. Our information has been
such that we believe the truth or faisity
should be established. This could only be
done by an expert examination.
1T is a fact that the record books have
been imperIectly kept Ii is also fact
that the methods OF keeping account OF
the expenditures have been imperfect We
assert that IL is Impossible for any person
at this time to tell or estimate the cost OF
any school site or building in this city.
We want to know, and We believe the
public would like TO know, how during the
last six years something near s., 10000
has been expended.
Mr.. Young's employment We feel needs
no defense. He IS professional expert.
He applied for the work by letter; with
AtG e1s.10s f-rR cd tzt Of NfyNf
work done, references and letters from
prominent persons for whom he has
worked. His price. we are satisfied from
personal investigation. Is reasonable. He
asked n sum proportionate with the
amount OF work TO be done. That all may
read. we attach 81 copy OF his contract.
Why the work should so back OF the
examination by the grand jury. IT may he
wen TO state that the same grand jury
that made the examination of these books
also passed on what was called the aims
house steal What examination OF a set
OF ordinary books, let alone a public office.
can a body OF men, who as a rule know
but little OF ordinary accounting, give in q
few hours?
The board is satisfied II has done right
In the premises, and believes in due time
its actions will be thoroughly INDICATED
by the public. -
"a. CHILBERG.
-. j. WELLS,
Committee"
The committee furnished the following
copy OF the contract with Mr.. Young:
This agreement, made between the city
OF Seattle school district No. l. In King
county. state OF Washington, the party OF
the first part. and Douglas Young, of Sc
attic, King county, state OF Washington,
the party of the second part, witnesseth;
That the said party OF the first part
IA nd ha az n
second part as an expert accountant 10
make a thorough examination or the ac-
counts OF said school district, beginning
January !, 1890, and ending with Novem-
Der II. 1895;
The said party OF the second part is 20
make a thorough examination between
said dates, of the journals. contracts.
vouchers, stubs and register OF warrants.
in the Office of the secretay OF the board
of education of said party Of the first part:
the registers, redemption and interest on
the warrants drawn on the county treas
urer, In the county treasurers office OF
King county, Wash, so far as they relate
to school district No. l, aforesaid, and
also the account OF the county treasurer
with said school district, as shown In the
county treasurer's Office. and the appor-
tionment OF the funds OF said school dis
trict by the county superintendent, be-
tween the dates aforesaid.
The said party OF the second part
agrees to, and is 60 make detailed state
ment OF the matters aforesaid, commenc-
ing and ending with the above named
dates. Of the expenditures of the school
district, showing the number, date. payee,
amount, and for what purpose each war
rant was drawn. and so far a. can be de-
termined, the first cost OF each school
site, buildings. furnishing and maiaten~
ance OF the Same.
said party OF the second part shall re-
port upon the conduct OF the ONCE OF sec
rotary OF the board OF education. between
said dates, and also as TO the manner in
which the account OF said school district
is kept with the county treasurer. end to
suggest reforms, IL necessary. for the bet
ter protection OF the funds of the district,
and the economic conduct Of the district
said party Of the second part. in case II
shall be necessary, at any time. Is 20 rem
der duplicate reports and give evidence
before any court, or any body, in refer
ence 70 said report. and to voluntarily
appear before the courts Of the state, or
any body, at any place. and at such time
and for such length of time as shall be
necessary.
The said party OF the second part Is
also to render such information to the at
torneys OF the board OF education or TO
the board Of education, as either may de-
sire. or that may he necessary. Ia case
suits or other proceedings are Instituted,
in regard 20 the books, accounts. con-
tracts, vouchers, etc, of said school dis
trict.
1.-THE party OF the second part will pros
ecute the work herein provided for, with
out any unnecessary delay, provide ell
necessary assistance therefor, except sta
tionery. which the party OF the first part
is 10 provide.
For doing the work and rendering the
services herein provided for the party OF
the first part agrees TO pay. and the party
OF the second part agrees 20 accept, the
sum az fifteen hundred dollars 81. 5o0), and
no more. but said gum Of fifteen hundred
dollars $3.50 is not 20 be paid until the
report herein provided for is flied with the
board 81 education Of said party Of the
first part. and accepted by said board
In testimony whereof. the party OF the
first part has caused this agreement 10 he
signed by its president and attcsted by it's
secretary with the corporate seal OF said
school district. and said party OF IN. sec
ond part has hareunto set his hand, this
the 1sth day OF December A D fsa5
THE City OF Seattle School District No.
/. in King County. State OF Washington
''3y r. A CHURCHILL
President Of the Board OF Education er
IN King County. State OF Washington.
Cseal Of School Distr4ct)
Attest: "A. A GUERNSEY,
Secretary % the Board Of Education OF
the City OF Seattle School District No,
!. in King County. State of Washing
ton
DOUGLAS YOUNG"
IN reference 20 the charge that his sc-
Il l.