The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-23
A CHOICE NOT POSSIBLE.


A CHOICE NOT POSSIBLE.
When nominations for temporary
chairman We're called for by the sec
retary, Mr. Davis nominated Mr.. Glib
bons. of the Twentieth ward, and Mr.
Schriefer nominated Mr.. Barker, of the
Seventeenth. No other candidates be-
ing suggested the nominations were de-
clared closed.
on the first ballot the vote was strict
ly partisan and as recorded in the
foregoing table, excepting the exchange
Of mplimentary votes by the two
candidates end the absence of Mr.. Lam
gan.
a second ballot showed no change
i'm the poll and on motion of Mr.. Jen-
ninos an adjournment was taken TO
this evening at 7.30 o'clock.
Mr. Langan. the Democratic absen-
tee, was yesterday in BinShamton
where he oftiCiated as best man at
friends wedding. He was expected to
return to Scranton on the train reach
ing here at 7.45 o'clock. 1t could not
he ascertained last night whether he
returned or not.
Mr. Schreifer and Mr.. Francois would
have been the Republican and Demo-
cratic candidates for the presidency
if there had been no deadlock in try
ing to choose a temporary chairman.
President Jennings, whose term ex-
pired last night, has been ten years
controller. Before putting the motion
that the 1897 board adjourn sine die
President Jennings spoke, in substance,
as follows:
"Perhaps / consider too seriously the
criticisms to which the board has been
subjected during the year now closed;
I am certain of it when 1 realize that
fault has not been found by persons
familiar with details of our work. The
record of this BODY is on it's books for
examination by any who may wish to
take the trouble. If they have been
disposed to crit1cise the records on file
will disclose their error. l have ful-
disposed to criticise the records on file
warrant for which there was no avail
able fund and whatever fault has been
found with us in this respect has been
suggested by hasty and incorrect sur
missing or information.
eft is not denied that we have fine
school buildings but the board denies
that their cost has been unWarranted
or comparatively great. The city real
lied dollars benefit for every dollar
expended. From 1893 to 1898 the cost
of S-room school buildings has been
reduced % per cent. as has been the
| cost of l2-rocm buildings.
ARE MODERN BUILDINGS.
"Those newly erected contain all the
modern appliances, and are thoroughly
| abreast of the times. In this respect
II has been unfair to compare this
| city's expenses with that of Pittston,
| Carbondale Reading, Allentown and
| other cities not in our class. Again,
! there are persons who i'm their criti-
| Gins forget that while the rate of tax
alton here is high the valuations are
| shamefully low. We all feel, l guess,
that the time will come when valua-
tons are higher and more tust and
when this body will be less liable to
| censure.
"Ten years ago Scranton had school
property valued at $500, 900. Today the
value represented is $l,5O0,000. 1t costs
a great deal of money to properly
maintain such a system, notwithstand-
ing the $4,000 yearly appropriated us
! by the state"
President Jennings closed with an ex-
| pltSScu IOpt lllil lIlt lltlllbtlS WOulti
stand together in granting as many
benefits to the First and Third as to
the Ninth. Sixteenth and Seventeenth
wards, to the outlying districts as to
| those more central, and thanked those
members who had elected him, and
who had supported him in his efforts
to properly perform the trying duties
peculiar to his position.
President jennings remarks We're re-
ceived with warm applause and the
last meeting of the 1897 board closed
with the passage of the motion, offered
by Mr.. Barker and Mr. Schriefer, to
| adjourn sine die.
But little business was transacted by
the old board.
The pay roll up to Feb. Is was APP
proved as follows: Night school teach
ers, Sl,703,20; night school janitOrs
$500; officers, S6l6.67; day janitors, $72O
on recommendation Of Superintend-
ent Howell, Martin Joyce was contin-