The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-06-16
The City Council and School
Board Differ on Matter
Of Mr.. Draper's Salary.
Walter B. Vincent Is the Choice
of Last Nights Caucus For
City Solicitor.
THE LICENSE COMMISSIONERS.
Will Recommend $I7Si For Furnishing the
Police Station -Commlttee on Fourth o!
July Meets onlght-LocaI Items.

There ID possibility OF cOmpicatlon
arising over the action of the School Com
mlttee at their last meeting, and the solu-
tion of the problem will eventually set at
rest the power, II they have any, OF the
Committee on Finance of the City Coun-
Gil to regulate or order the School Commit
tse how they shall sub-divide the sum ap-
propriated for the public schools. When
the appropriation bill was presented at the
, beginning of the fiscal year the lump
amount was divided. Among the different
estimates was one allowing the Superin-
tendent Of schools $500 for . years work.
In accepting the estimate of the Com
mittee on Finance, the City Council prac-
tically said that the salary of the Superin-
tendent should be $500 per year. The city
charter says In Section IA: The School
Committee shall annually elect Superin-
tendent of Public Schools and IA his salary,
which shall be paid out OF the appropria-
tion for public. schools.
According to the wording of the city
charter the School Committee have the
better end of the argument, and have
perfect right to manage their own affairs
without any interference of the City
Council. What ground the City Treasurer
will take is q question. In reality he is
the servant of the City Council and is sup
posed to take his orders from them.
This Is not the first time that the City
Council has endeavored to intefere with
the School Committee In the management
of their department and the citizens feel
that 1t is about time that the question OF
superiority was settled for all time.
1t looks reasonable to presume that the
members of the School Committee are
much more conversant with the needs of
the department and it, strong and weak
points than tho members Of the City Coun-
Gil. What action the City Council will
take now that the question is to be
brought to their attention is not known.
City Council Caucus.
The members of the City Council with
the exception of Aldermen Bari Der, Fontain
and Councilmen Carlin, Colquhon and
Damarais met last evening in City Clerk
Crawford's private Office, to talk over the
matter of ex-City Solicitor Bosworth's
successor. There was quite discussion
over the merits of several candidates.
Some of the members were in favor of
Lawyer Stiness of this city, while the ma
jOrity favored Walter b. Vincent of Provi-
dence. The argument advanced against
Mr.. Stiness was that he was young law
yer, and II anything Of Importance came
up the City Council would be compelled to
hire an associate counsel.
Those advocating Mr.. Vincent claimed
that he was experienced and 1t would be
far more economical to employ him. In
other words the members do not consider
Mr.. Stiness competent to look after the
city's law affairs. 1t Is understood that
President Fisk of the Common Council
waited upon Mr.. Vincent in regard to the
matter and he, Mr.. Vincent, said that he
would accept the position IL 1t were offered
him. One fact is certain the salary of City
Solicitor will not be over $500 per year, and
possibly 1t will be 500 less. That is the
opinion OF most of the members, and In all
probability an amendment to that effect
will be introduced this evening.
The members think that there will not
be 90 much work this year as the old town
OF Lincoln affairs are nearly settled, and In
their opinion 500 or $500 will be sufficient