The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-08
Several Thousand Taxpayers Have Also
Affixed Signatures 10 Il
AMOUNT REQUIRED ABOUT $4,000.
CouncImsn Would Be Glad 10 Furnish The Money,
but There Are no Funds in The Treasury That
Are Not Appropriated.


mon Council to be held this evening,
there does not appear TO be much busi-
ness to be transacted, although 1t is
expected that the financial question
will receive some consideration. 1t is
also expected that the public school
teachers will come in with a petition,
asking the city council TO furnish funds
to keep the schools open for the full
terms, $4,000 be required to pay the
salaries for the two weeks now in ques-
tion.
The petition, as it will be presented,
is as follows:
ITO the Honorable City Council OF the
city OF Providence, r.. l.:
n:-Assuming and believ-
ing that the school committee. in de-
Gliding to close the schools on the 18th
day OF June, two weeks earlier than
usual, have acted as seemed TO them
right and just under the financial con-
ditions which at present confront them,
but at the same time In their Judgment
contrary TO the highest welfare Iand
efficiency of the schools as at present
equipped. planned and administered,
we most respectfully request your hon
orable body TO provide the funds neces-
sary to continue the schools the entire
school year as calendared, and submit
the following reasons therefor:
"First-The teachers of the public
schools of Providence are paid less on
the average than those in other cities
OF the same size for the same quality OF
work, and practical reduction at this
time OF per cent. In years salary
seems an especial hardship
"Second-It seems unjust for the
teachers alone TO be called upon TO bear
q portion OF special financial burden,
ali of which should rest upon the tax
payers in general.
"Third-By curtailing the length OF
the school year at this time. injustice
is done to the pupils. The work laid
out for the year must either be left in
complete or be crowded into shorter
time Either of these conditions pro-
notes confusion and prevents thor
oughness of work.
"Fourth-The shortening or tne
school year at this time is establishing
a bad precedent for the future.
"Fifth-The omission of the gradual
ing exercises made necessary by the
curtaiment OF the school year is an ex-
treme disappointment to all pupils VINO
have faithfully prosecuted the different
courses of study, as well as to their
parents and friends.
"Sixth-The good name and reputa-
tion of the city both at home and
abroad should be maintained by not al
lowing the school department to suffer
for lack of funds"
or 700 teachers in the city there are
very few that have not signed the pc
tition, and i'm addition TO these names.
the teachers have secured as signers or
the petition several thousand taxpay-
q lpp
owners, and there is a belief that these
names will have a considerable infiu-
ence on the members of the Common
Council The petition is TO be pre-
sented by committee appointed by the
teachers. cons sting Of Principal Smith,
chairman Principal Hoyt OF the Eng
,ish high school, and Principal Church.
OF the Pence street grammar scttoot'
IL is understood that n majority OF
the councilmen would be very glad to
furnish the money needed. but there
Is no money unappropriated from
which a sufficient amount can he taken.
The fact is that the only way that adj
ditional money can be ra sed before
next fall is TO borrow it with the con-
sent Of the General Assembly. but this
is by no means popular way OF. paw
ing current expenses. and it will hardly
meet with the sanction Of the Com
mon Council. Just what can be done
under existing circumstances does not
seem TO be clear but this evening the
matter will be discussed.
IL Is rumored that certain members
of the Common Council are In favor OF
sending the petition. II presented. TO the
school committee. with n request that
that body pass a resolution asking that
tho tax rate he increased I'm order that
the amount of money needed for the
public schools may he obtained What
the school committee would say 20 such
n proposition is something that has not
been considered yet.