The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-07
ACTION OF SCHOOL BOARD
COMMISSIONERS AGAIN FAIL TO Sc
LECT A SUPERINTENDENT.
Prof. Goss's Friends Encouraged by
Observation-Disclosures Awarded.

The election of superintendent of
schools has been again postponed by the
School Board. Last night the special com
mittee appointed TO correspond with vari-
Gus candidates reported TO the board, sit
ting as a committee of the whole behind
closed doors. The name submitted was not
satisfactory to a majority of the board
An hour was spent in discussion and sew
eral canvasses of the situation were made
without any agreement being reached
When the board reassembled Mr.. Adam
secretary of the committee of the whole
reported that the committee desired until
May 20 to reach a conclusion. After the
meeting neither Mr. Baker. chairman of
the special committee, nor Mr.. Russo, one
of the members, would state whose name
had been reported to the board. Other
members of the board said it would be un-
fair to the special committee for them to
disclose anything that was done in the Sc
cret meeting or to give the names that
were there mentioned. 1t is said, however
that the name of the present superin-
tendent, D. X. Goss, was not mentioned.
Another member went so far as to say
that he had not seen the name of the candi-
date reported by the special committee
mentioned in any publication that has been
made of the candidates.
Mr.. Goss's friends were encouraged by the
condition that developed. and now declare
the opposition to him will lose force and he
will be elected two weeks hence.
Some surprise was occasioned by the re-
port of the finance committee ON the school
enumeration, recently finished. 1t shows a
falling off from the enumeration of 1897.
Last year there were 81, S05 persons of school
age in Indianapolis, against 80, Oil this year,
u decrease of 1874. There ought to have been
an increase of about 1,000 as that is the
normal growth from year to year. The de-
crease means that the city will lose about
5000 on the distribution of the school funds.
Mr.. Baker explained that part of the de-
crease might be due to the fact that the
enumerators were directed TO not include
children who would be six years of age by
next September, only those now six years
of age. Mr.. Baker said, also, that many
parents thought they could avoid the re-
quirementS of the compulsory education
law by not giving the names of their chill
dren. Mr.. Scott did not think this ac-
counted for the decrease in the enumera-
ton, and expressed doubt whether the work
had been properly performed lie Sug-
gested that if it was not too late the EMU
meration should be revised. Superintendent
Goss explained that this could be done when
complaint was made to the state superin-
tendent. The finance committee was i'll
structed to take necessary steps to have
the report revised. The report showed that
the expense of taking the enumeration had
been reduced from $l,2O9 last year TO
81 ,015.25 a saving of $l9S.75.
On the recommendation of the committee
on buildings and grounds a number of large
contracts for additions were awarded to the
w. A. Schumacher Company, the lowest OF
a long list of bidders. The contracts aggre--
gate s94, s29. They are as follows; School
No %, 81, $50; No. "a, $12,624 No. 80, SIT $50:
These figures do not include plumbing and
heating apparatus. The following con-
tracts for painting and glazing were also
awarded No. II, to w. A. Johnson, at Sl66;
each; No. 80, Fertig & Keevers, S64O. A
contract for an electric dynamo for plant
in the basement of the Library building
was awarded to the Jenney Electric Com
pany at $500. and the contract for a gas en-
gine to the Capital Machine Company, at
$l,440.
A communication from George III. Chap
man Post, G.. A r., requesting that flags
be kept unfurled over the SchoolhouSeS dur
ing the Spanish American war was sent to
Superintendent Goss for proper action. Mr..
flags should be kept flying all the year. not
simply during the war On the recommenda-
ton of Superintendent Goss ElWood Sine
was appointed his stenographer, vice Ma
rion Sturgeon, resigned.
1t has been decided not to begin the half
day sessions of the schools until May 30, in
stead of May 20.
A lengthy petition requesting the appoint
ment of Willard w. Grant, of Providence,
r. l., to be superintendent of schools in case
of a vacancy, was sent to the special COM
mittee. The petition spoke of the fact that
Mr. Grant was for long time superintend-
ent of schools here, and was most efficient
and satisfactory man.