The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-14
SCHOOL BOARD LIFE,
A Woman's Impressions Of a Meeting Of
School Controllers,

All women are more or less interested
in schools. and therefore in the board
of control. Perhaps they would like to
know something about the delibera-
tiOnS of that important body.
1t Is not many years since the board
met in some old school house, but a
wider space than time lies between the
conditions now and of those days. The
fine assembly room In the Municipal
building is all that can be desired by
u power so influential in the public
veal and In politics, as Is the board Of
control.
1t contains q lot of nice little desks.
each built for one, with pretty blotting
paper pads that would delight the heart
Of any schoolboy.
At the meeting Monday evening q
good many more cuspidors than MEM
bers were apparent. With the excep-
tion of the former, the room is all that
could be desired by the new woman
who might be fired with the ambition
to run the schools. All the other ap-
performances could be found useful. A
handsome portrait of ex-President
Wormser looks seriously out over the
assembly, mildly reproying by his 81.
lent glance the antics 1t OCCASIONALLY
witnesses.
Board OF control meetings are less
formal than may be generally believed.
At times several people talk ut once
before the president is able to get in
his remarks. Some Of the members
smoke good cigars, others discuss poll
tics in whispers, while others sit in
meditation upon business or domestic
affairs. AS rule, 1t is said, the meet
frequent intervals that q member
jumps UP ard down, shouts and shakes
his fist at his colleagues.
To judge from the session Of Monday
evening. Messrs. Welsh and Conrad are
the quiotest members of the body, and
yet we are told that they have good
deal to say when there Is anything
really important Mr. Mitchell Is
very good looking and dignified presi-
dent. 1t struck the listeners the other
night that he is also a humorist. The
gentleman from the Nineteenth ward
arose hastily as Mr.. Mitchell was about
to put the question regarding No. 10
school and anxiously demaded:
"But you amt a'going to put 1t to
vote just YETI"
"Oh. yes, I am," placidly replied the
president Just see me do 1t, now,"
which he forthwith did.
The Board of Control had spasm of
reform on Monday evening. The men,
perS nave just DeSun W near IoW,
deep grumblc from that lion-the peo-
pie. 1t sleeps very long and soundly.
but when once aroused is likely to roar
and there are a good many school con-
trollers in this vicinity who are about
row looking for some tree to climb. The
most available one is No. 10 school,
which seems to promise considerable
shade at this time. Mr.. Notz Is trying
to warn them Off the grass and away
from that location, but 1t is evident
that No. 10 school will have to be the
horrible example that is to mark the
calling of halt In extravagance.
OF course the economical principles
are all right. an they must be set In
motion some time or the lion will as
more than roar. but no doubt Mr.. Notz
thinks 1t hard luck that he is to be the
first victim of reform and that his
giddy $4,000 building must come down
to "plain and substantial" one for
$4,000. Doubtless, too, 1t Is easy for
the members to vote against another
new building with frills. since most of
them have already secured similar
aiddy ediflces for their own wards. The
public will. however. glady support