The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-03-05
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Held "A Conference With the Board OF
Aldermen Last Evening.

Atdernlen Last Evening"
The regular monthly meeting of the
school committee was held last evening
at the superintendent's Office. Owing to an
understanding with President Eastwood
of the Board of Aldermen the meeting
of the School Committee was called early
in order that the committee might meet
in conference with the aldermen concern
ing the amendment to the city charter,
which the members of the School Com
mittee are desirous of having the City
Council recommend.
OF the conference little can be said ex-
cept that it resolved itself into first-class
scolding match, amusing at first, but
constant repitition OF the same arguments
eventually made it uninteresting and tire
some.
That the joint standing Committee on
Education were prepared for the school
committeeman was patient to all, and
made quite plain when President East
wood called upon Councilman Cowperth-
waite to read a clipping from a paper
voicing the sentiments of Joseph Jefferson
upon physical culture.
What Joseph Jefferson's opinion on prize
fighting had to do with the city charter, or
physical culture, was not quite apparent
to any one there, but the reading of the
clipping intimated that the committee on
education were primed for the fight 1t
must be said, in all fairness to the Joint
Standing Committee on Education, that
the member of the School Committee did
not advance any solid argument for the
change in the charter, beyond the fact that
it was bad policy to have dual committee
have charge of the maintainance and re-
pairs OF the school property. On the other
hand, the Joint Standing Committee could
not show any reason why this state OF
affairs should exist.
School Committee.
The committee was called to order by
President Adams, who announced the
following committees for the ensuing
year: Finance, S. l.. Adams, f. f. Lent,
f. f. Newell; Instruction, entire commit
tee; Evening Schools, II. c. Dexter, j.
Milligan, j. Nj. Authier; Property, E. F..
Lent, j. M. Anthier, S. l.. Adams; Jani-
tors, j. Milligan, III. G. Dexter, f. Il.
Newell. Executive Committees; High
street and Central street, T.. E. Lent;
Broad street, S. l.. Adams Garfield street,
j. M. Authier; Hedley avenue and Hunt
street, +. E. Newell; Kendall street and
Dexter street, j. Milligan; Washington
street, II. e. Dexter.
Mr.. Lent reported that he had attended
the recent lecture held at the Embury M.
T.. School, under the auspices of the w. G.
r. u, and was very much impressed by
the remarks of the speakers.
Bill for current expenses were allowed
and ordered paid
Supt. Draper informed the committee
that the new geography was not intro
duced into the schools as yet, because the
New England edition was not ready.
The matter of the truant officer was
touched upon, and Mr.. Newell inquired
IL there was not some way in which the
School Committee could elect truant
officer. He was informed that the matter
rested entirely in the hands of the Board
of Aldermen and could not be changed
except by an amendment to the city
charter. The committee then adjourned,
and waited upon the Board of Aldermen.
10 - Board OF Conference.
The conference was called to order by
President Eastwood, who invited the.com-
mittee to state upon what grounds they
desired this change in the city charter.
President Adams of the School Commit
mittee said the object OF presenting this
petition was that the committee have sole |
charge OF the maintenance and repairs |
rather than have IL divided. Under the |
present circumstances Mr.. Adams thought |
that the two committees conAicted I'm |
many instances. Mr.. Mccartney inquired !
II the Joint Standing Committee had |
charge of the janitors. Mr.. Lent-No,
except when janitor is compelled to have
repairs made.
Mr.. Dexter cited instances where con-
fusion arose I'm regards TO having repairs
made. Alderman Mccartney explained |
,ne instance where, at the time, IL was
for the committee to respond
The discussion was held
llong this lines for an hour or so. Pros-
lent Eastwood inquired IL the committee
thought that the physical culture course
vas beneficial or harmful to the children.
lie, was answered by Mr.. Lent who said
hat the course was at the option of the
'hildren's parents, and II ths members OF
he committee would visit he schools a
ull demonstration would be ven.
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