The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-04-11
HERE'S A FINANCIAL TICKER
A Financial Snag Struck by the School
Board.
SPRUNG BY SOLICITOR BEDDALL
He Says the Limit Of Bonded Indebtedness
is Reached and No More Bonds Can
be Issued without Special Elec-
tion-Mr. Hannas Step.

The School Board held special meetin
last night for the purpose of considering the
architects plans and specifications for the
proposed addition to the High school build
ing and the proposed new White street build
ing. The members present were Messrs.
Ogden, Trezise, James, Edwards, Lee, Conry,
Smith, Williams, Dewitt, Manley, Hanna
and Morgan.
The first action of the building and
pairs committee was to submit written re-
port embracing the following I'VE have
investigated and considered the question
fully referring to the gymnasium and
while we express our pleasure at the in
terest manifested by our many citizens in
signing the petition and the earnestness of
our pupils in asking for such, we regret to
say that it is the judgment of the committee
that the prayer of the petition ought not to be
granted at this time Our architect informs
us that the least possible figures for the gym
nasium will be 81 800 and our financial CON
dition at present does not warrant such ex-
penditure of money" The committees re-
| port was adopted.
The plans and specifications then came up
and no objections were made to them, but
suddenly snag appeared in the way. T. r.
Beddall, Esq. the Solicitor of the Board,
arose and stated that the Board was not in
position to issue bonds for the proposed work,
which is estimated at 100000 Mr.. Beddall
said: THE School Board has no right to in
crease its bonded Indebtedness above per
centum of the last assessed valuation 1t has
been held heretofore that it might deduct
from its liabilities any valuation it has at the
time, or any property it holds, but it has
been lately decided that this is not correct.
1t has no right to increase its bonded indebt-
edness, except by assent of the people"
Several members were i'll at ease over this
statement, among them Director Conry who
asked Mr.. Beddall when he had made the
discovery. Mr. Beddall answered 81 dis
covered this within the last two or three
days.
Mr.. Conry ;-'Was it not the law at the
time this was proposed to be done ?"
Mr.. Beddall 1t has been held differ
emily. Our court held otherwise-that il
could be done"
Conry WAS it by decision of the
Supreme COurt?'
Beddall No; the latter decision is by
the Dauphin county court, which has been
reversed by the Supreme Court but three
times in the last twenty years. and is the
court that passes upon nearly all the consti.
|
has not been passed upon by the Supreme
Court"
COMFY IF our courts agree with us
don't see any reason why we should not &C
ahead"
Beddall :-"I wouldn't advise the Board tC
go ahead"
Director Lee called attention to the fact
that the Board had already executed con
. tracts with the architect and heating and
ventilating company and that they might ask
damages. Mr.. Beddall agreed that they
could recover if tie work did not go ahead
. and damage could be shown. The lattel
added that the Board could authorize
special election by resolution 80 days afte
advertising it, The county would have tt
. bear the expense.
Mr.. Hanna said he thought the BoarC
could build the High school addition anyway
and squeeze out the S. 900 for it without in
creasing the mill rate, or holding specia
election, and the White street school build
] ing could go over until next spring, i
necessary.
Mr. Edwards was not in favor of the idea
He said the s., 200 would really only give the
Board one more school room, while $40, ,O0t
, would erect the White street building anc
give six additional rooms Finally motion
by Mr. Hanna that the plans for the Higl
: school addition be referred to the building
and repairs committee with instructions tC
advertise for bids for the High school ad
dition was carried.
Mr.. Conry said he understood before the
meeting was held that there was movement
in the town to oppose the Board on the build
ing question and the party who informed hin
had been asked to sign a petition to thai
effect He added that if the citizens of Shen
andoah don't want another school the Boart
would like to know it.
1t was decided to adjourn the meeting a
the cali Of the chair. In the meantime the
Solicitor is to look further into the matter.