Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-01-28
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
A Brief Session Held by That
Body Monday Night.
PROCEEDINGS WERE INTERESTING
Termination of a Long-stand-
ing Dispute.
The Payment OF the Board of Bcaith's Bill
for Plumbing at Public schools Nos. 3 and
4 Ordered After u stubborn Fight and by
Vote of Ten to six.

The Board of Education Mondaynight
decided, by vote of 10 to to nay the
bill of the Board of Health for plumb
ing at No. 3. and Schools. The bill
has been before the board for long
period and every time it was brought
up precipitated a heated and lengthy
discussion. Last night proved no ex-
ception to the rule and whom the mat
ter was called up the members were
anxiously awaiting it,. President Baird
announced that Chairman Baypard of
the committee to which the matter was
referred at the last meeting, was out Of
the city Mr.. Baird stated. however,
that City Solicitor Hartman had been
consulted by the committee, and that
the matter would probably be AMIGA
bly, settled. He stated that he uadsr-
stood that Council wanted the bill set.
tled and would he satisfied IL the Board
OF Education would pay half the bill.
Mr.. Carter moved that the matter be
referred back to the committee and
continued.
MIR. Morrow offered as substitute a
motion providing for the immediate pay
ment of the entire bill, amounting at
the present time to 81, 026. so.
Mr.. Belts objected to this as there
was no use in paying $1,000 when the
bill could probably be settled for $500.
Thereupon substitute was offered by
DIR. Crumbaugh, instructing the com.
mittee to arrange for settlement with
the health board at the. best possible
terms.
Mr.. Crossan saw 1t was useless to ex-
poet rhe Board of Health to agree to
settlement for one cent less than the
full amount Of the bill. as that body
would stand by their position and de-
mand full payment. The wrangle has
been kept up between the two bodies
since 1892 and he wanted to see it set
tied.
Mr.. Morrow said the whole trouble
would have been avoided had certain
members OF the Board Of Education
shown the proper.spirit when the Board
OF Health fret called their attention to
the matter Any business man knows
the health authorities haze the law on
their side and the members of the
Board of Education have made them
selves ridiculous IN the eyes OF the
public. and will have to pay the bill
any way.
Mr.. Carter moved to continue the
matter for one week,
DIR. Shortlidgess opposed this motion.
He said there was no use In dilly-dally-
ing about the matter, and he was in
favor OF prompt settlement. The board
would have to pay the whole bill and
might as well do SO now. The matter
has been kept going back and forth be-
tween the two boards until the mem.
bers have become a laughing stock oi
the public at large. No wondar the
people are asking for commission tc
take the place of the board. The action
Of some OF the members was ridiculous.
There was no use in waiting, no matter
what member of Council had said, at
no one member could guarantee the
action of that body. Now is the timt
to settle and he was opposed to days
delay.
Mr. Carter's motion to continue fol
one week WAS lost by vote OF 9 to Z.
DR.. Crumbaugh Withdrew his sub.
stitute, and the motion of Mr.. Morrow
to pay the full amount Of the bill wal
passed by the following aye aud nay
vote: Ayes--C -Crossan, Crumbaugh,
Frick, Hartman, Kersey, Leitch, Nor,
row, Palmer, Pyle ami Mcdaniel. Nays
--Betta. Carter, L erick, McCaus
land, Turner and president Baird-6
Paired-Shortlidge and Baynard.
A committee from the New Century
Club headed by Mrs. A. d. Warner
ind Mrs. Charles S. Rowland appeared
before the board to ask the co opera
ion of the members in securing the
passage of compulsory education bill.
Addresses were made by Mrs. Warner
and Mrs. Howland. Col Benjamin
Nields read the proposed bill The leg
islative committee of the board vii
confer with the New, Century Club
committee at o'clock ON Thursday
afternoon and report at the next meet
ing of the board. One hundred copief
of the bill were ordered to lie printed
j. L.. Hall appeared before the boart
TO explain the merits of tho Littl,
Giant fire extinguisher and the insur
ance and new buildings committee
will confer with him later in regard I,
placing extinguishers in public schools
The secretary was instructed TO draw
on City Council for the February ap
preparation and the monthly appropria
tion of the free library was orderet
paid.
A number of bills we're passed includ
ing balance of S245. 40 due the Mul
yena estate on the No. "a School con
tract.