The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-17
CoMPTROLLERs ESTIMATES FOR
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING AND
FREE5TEXT hooks
ARE PLACED INTO ONE FUND,
TO BE EXPENDED BY THE BOARD
FOR THE rsBETTERMENT OF
FACILITIES.
FIRE DEPARTMENT GETS s2oo,ooo
ments as Were Contemplated
Gaultier Street Sewer.

The conference committee did not
make much progress with the tax esti-
mate yesterday afternoon, as the ses-
sion was principally devoted to a con-
sideration of items and 10, covering
the appropriation for the school fund
Before the committee took up this sub
ject, Health Commissioner Stone APP
peared and said that he would like to
be heard on the twelfth item, which
appropriates $3.50 for the health de-
partment fund. The committee adopt
ed the item on Tuesday afternoon.
Dr. Stone was not present at the time
to interpose any objections He as
sured the committee yesterday, how
ever, that he had something to say, if
the committee would consent to recon-
slider the item. Accordingly, on motion
Of Comptroller McCardy, it was decided
to reconsider the twelfth item at 8 o.
M today and give DR.. Stone an oppor-
tunity to be heard.
Proceeding then to the consideration
OF the ninth and tenth items, appro-
priating S198,750 for the support of the
pu0lle schools, $4,000 for a new school
building in the Second ward and 500
IA
bott, of the school board, inquired
whether the total, amounting to $685.
100 placed in the connptroller's estimate.
included the $4,000 appropriated for
the building of an addition to the Cor
man school. Comptroller McCardy
said that it did not, inasmuch as the
SIS, 600, or what had been collected of
it, was on hand
DR.. Abbott said that the school board
couldn't find out what had became Of
the $ll,OO0 balance in the school build
Ing fund. The board couldn't discover
whether it had been expended. If it
had, the school board didn't know It,
The sum of $4,000 had been levied for
school buildings in 1895 and only $44 900
had been spent. What had become OF
the balance.
Comptroller McCardy replied that all
the money received had been credited
up to the school fund
Dr. Abbott pointed out that besides
the new school building in the Second
ward provided for in the estimate, new
buildings were needed in the Seventh
ward in Arlington Hills. The Harrison
and Ericsson schools were overcrowd-
ed and likewise the Jackson school,
which contained stttings for only 500
while there were $50 pupils in attend
ance. The Hancock and Longfellow
schools were also oyercrowded. DR..
Abbott thought it better to distribute
the appropriation rather than expend
$4,000 for a new school in the Second
ward.
Mayor Doran suggested that the
question Of new school buildings was
one to be determined by the means on
hand. AS for the estimate of $40, 900
for free text books, the object was
undoubtedly worthy, but what was
most needed at present was free sit
fiY7crc fI1o7- l.
proper work of the committee, in the
mayors opinion, was to make the
proper distribution of the entire fund.
Mr.. Bement suggested that it would
be better to furnish more accommoda-
tons for the pupils rather than to at
tempt to provide free text books
Dr. Abbott wanted the estimate amended
so as to allow the school board to eXpend
the money appropriated for a new building
in the Second ward, as well as the $4,000
for free text books, in providing such addi-
tional accommodations or sittings as were
needed.
Comptroller McCardy moved that the item
for new school building in the Second
ward be adopted. The motion did not
ceiYe second
Aid. Bigeow moved as an amendment
that the item of $1,000 for new school
building and that of $780, 600 for free text
books be Jumped together, thereby leaving
the total sum of $35, 900 to be expended at
the discretion of the board for the better
ditional sittings. Mr.. Bement seconded the
motion.
Aid. Bigelow's amendment was put to
vote and adopted by vote of nine to two,
City Comptroller McCardy and City Treas
urer Horst voting in the negative.
Prior to the putting. of the question, Rev.
a delegation of Eleventh ward citizens, de-
clared that more school sittings were needed
at Merriam Park. Eighty-six Of the pupils
who attended the Longfellow school were
tUO hal
in the forenoon and the other half in the
afternoon. At present there build
ing available for an annex to the school
DR.. Abbott thought that the best way to re-
lieve the overcrowded condition of the Long
fellow and Hancock schools was to build
new school building somewhere between
them
A number of communications calling atten-
ton to the need of additional school ac-
commedatlons in various portions Of the city
were then read
1t was then moved to adopt items nine and
ten as amended and the motion prevailed,
Comptroller McCardy voting in the negative.
was not changed.
The committee next considered the fourth
item, appropriating 100000 for the support
of the fire department President Freeman
again renewed his request that the appropria-
ton be increased to $215, 900, although he ad-
mtted that the department would have a
balance of 81, 500 on hand Jan. /. Mr..
Freeman estimated that the department would
receive during the year 1897 the of
$179, 600, which would not be sufficient.
Comptroller McCardy thought that de-
partment that expended only 100000 in a
year and received within s., 500 of the amount
asked for. ought to be satisfied. The fire
board ought to consider the hard times and
not ask for any more. year ago the board
had made the same plea but it had got
along splendidly on the amount allowed.
Mr.. McCardy then moved the adoption OF
the fourth item as printed. Aid. Bigelow
seconded it.
Mr.. Freeman said he hoped the motion
would not prevail. as if the appropriation
was not increased the fire department could
not make the needed improvements on it's
fire alarm system.
The question was put to a vote. and the
item appropriating $500, 900 for the support
of the fire department adopted by vote
of to 2, President Freeman and City En-
gineer Rundlett voting in the negative.
At this stage Aid. Bigelow informed the
committee that a number OF people wished
to be heard in behalf of an appropriation for
constructing sewer on Gauitier and Syca-
more streets, to drain the blind sewer on
Como avenue, and sewers connecting with
1t. 1t was initiated by the city engineer
that the sewer would not cost the city ST. 700
in excess of the amount obtainable by assess
ment.
Provision was made for the sewer, in &C.
cordanee with the suggestion of Comptroller
MeCardy that the item of 59770 for mis-
cellaneous purposes under the head OF gen.
eral fund be reduced to $4,000 and that the
sum Of $7770 be appropriated for the sewer
referred to, which was designated the
"Gaultier street sewer"
Aid. Bell was then heard in behalf of an
application of the eWst side citizens for the
extension Of the Custer street sewer to the
river which It was estimated would cost
sS.s4O. AS there is some question as to wheth-
er the extension desired would run through
the citys property or through private prop
whether the cost Of the sewer would be
chargeable to the city. Comptroller Nc
Cardy suggested that the sewer might be
| constructed and the property be assessed
N hQ ryoV thn %la