New-York tribune., 1899-08-24
SING SINGS SCHOOL FUNDS.
COMMITTEES REPORT
STIRS UP THE VILLAGE.
SHORTAGES AND IMPROPER HANDLING OF
PUBLIC MONEY ALLEGED-vfGoRoUs
DENIALS BY JUDGE LENT.


PUBLIC MONEY ALLEGED-vrGoRoUs
DENIALs BY JUDGE LENT.
The report Of the Investigating Committee OF the
Sing Sing Public School was read at meeting
of the taxpayers Tuesday night, and caused
considerable excitement and comment. AT the
regular school meeting, held on August l, which
was the largest attended and the most exciting
ever held In the village, County Judge Smith Lent
was defeated for School Trustee by Dr. e. B'
Sherwood Village President. and a committee.
composed Of ex-Assemblyman Edgar H. Ryder Dr'
f. F. Sheehan. Village Trustee Randolph Acker'
Abram g. Underh and Wilbur F. Foshay, was
appointed by the Chair to examine the accounts Oh
the Board OF Education and TO report on the
same The entire Board of Education, treasurer
superintendent Of schools. and all Of the school
officials were present.
After the meeting was called to order ex-As-
semblyman Ryder read the report OF the commit
tee which showed negligence and shpshod DUST
ness methods in keeping tn account OF the puo'lc
moneys and that there had been shortage oi
g 900 in the funds at the time the committee was
appointed which has been made up since win
the exception of 81 O9S SO. which is now unaccounteo
for The report showed an apparent shortage IN
tho funds OF the treasurer, Thomas Leary' Oh
ss75 IS. which has since been made up. MT Leary
made a statement denying any shortage ana snow
ing that he had always had the balance IN the
bank and personal account or much hoie NaHi
that amnnt He also read statement from the
cashier OF the bank showing that he had the re-
oured balance. 1t was also shown that the Gus
todian of the school fund had been carrying
post dated check Of $3.50 Of Judge Lents for nearly
three years during his last term as school trustee,
and reporting II TO the district as cash on hand,
while in reality Il was not turned into cash until
week after the appointment Of the investigating
committee The report also showed note for $3.50
for a draft for Isaac B. Noxon. issued in May,
1903 for which there is no bill of particulars TO
show that it is proper disbursement OF the school
funds.
There are number Of Irregularities noted by the
expert accountant who examined the accounts for
tho committee, and the committee itself made a
number Of suggestions for the benefit OF the school
system.
After the reading OF the report. which caused
considerable surprise to the large audience. Judge
in the course of his rather animated remarks
ne stated that he knew Of no shortage: he douot.
accountant, and he declared the expert accountant
Toward the end of his speech Judge Lent under
took to crticise the committee In personal way.
He started with ex-Assemblyman Ryder, but had
not said a dozen words In disparaging tone when
Chairman Young appealed to the audience to assist
him in his efforts to keep personalities out of all
apologized II he had said anything personal Dur
ing the speech the Judge said two or three times
that he would be personally responsible for any
deficiency on condition that committee named by
him would be appointed at this meeting, HIS mo-
ton to have such committee appointed was de-
clared lost A motion was carried that the trustees
take legal steps TO see that the shortage or de-
No sooner had Judge Lent taken his than
ex-Assemblyman Ryder took the floor in reply 20
some of Judge Lent's statements. He said that the
Investigation was without malice, and that the
work had been correctly and well done. In regard
10 a new committee he said that since the present
committees examination of the books OF the trus-
tees there had been another examination going
on by some persons of the First National Bank
and before the books were Inspected again he sug-
gested they should be first like Caesars WIFE
"above suspicion 49, -..,
and that he was authorized TO ask for. the resig-
nations OF Trustee Many, Trustee Wheeler. Ifeas-
irer Teary and Clerk Gorton, they must nave
known the condition of affairs: The statement
caused a profound sensation Mr.. Ryder, In clos
ing his remarks said he would not reply TO Judge
Ient's personal attack upon him, but that he feIt
tho ,'stab in the back just the same" The meet
ing was the talk of the town yesterday ana the
place will probably be kept lively by the Legal
efforts TO collect the shortage.