The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-10
THE SCHOOL APPROPRIATION.
Will SOON BE BROUGHT To THE
ATTENTION OF GRAND JURY.

Finance Committee VIII Be In
sfructed to Take the Matter I'm
Hand-COI. Mercer FavOrs Going
Directly Before the Grand Jury.
County Commissioners Have TAX
en- Initiative in Ignoring the
Board-NO Notice Was Given the
Board OF Education That the COun-
ty Commissioners Were Ready to
Hear From 1t.
The Board of Education will, at its
meeting tonight, take steps to present it's
claims upon the county to the grand jury
The finance committee will doubtless be
instructed to prepare a statement of the
needs of the board for the coming year
and hearing will be requested before the
grand jury at an early date.
The County Commissioners, In making up
their budget for the year, failed to make
the usual appropriation for the public
schools, Chairman Dale stating that
as the fixing of this amount rested with
the grand jury this matter would be left
entirely to the discretion of that body.
Chairman Dale is also credited with the
further statement that the County Com
missioners had no information from the
Board of Education that the latter body
was in need of any funds for the coming
year. There seems TO be something
in the mind of the chairman on
account of the circumstances attending the
last annual appropriation for the public
schools.
A committee from the Board of
Education, headed by the chairman, Col.
George A. Mercer. appeared before the
commissioners and asked for a certain
amount between ST., coo and $1,000. as nee
essary to carry on the work for the en-
suing year The committee also asked
for an additional amount of about 81 900 in
order to make certain improvements in the
city schools and to build schoolhouses in
the county, The board made an appro-
priation of $4,000. Subsequently the
grand jury increased this appropriation to
$4,000, taking 5000 off the road appropria
ton for the purpose. In an interview
published In the Morning News some time
since Chairman Dale expressed himself to
the effect that the Board of Education had
acted in bad faith in expressing itself
through its representatives, as satisfied
with the appropriation of $4,000 made bv
the commissioners, and then appealing to
the grand jury to increase this amount
Both Col. Mercer, chairman of the Board
OF Education, and Mr.. Ashmore. sunerin-
tendent of public education, put differ
ent face upon this matter The board.
they say, represented to the commission
ers mat certain amount about $4,000
was necessary in order to carry on the
work of the schools for the coming wear
on the same basis that it had been car
RED on for the previous year To make
certain additions and improvements to the
scnool facilities and to build country
hehoo houses an additional appropriation
Of $1,000 was requested. The board made
ad appropriation of $4,000.
AS remember it, said Col Mercer
the original appropriation was $4,000
When the subject had been presented to
the commissioners, two of the three mem
pers present voted to increase the amount
TO $4,000. Chairman Dale voted against
the increase. The board did not appeal to
the grand jury against the decision of the
county commissioners. We were sum-
moned to appear before the grand Jury
ana make statement of our needs. We
oiu So ana the grand jury of its own
Vohton, increased the amount to $4,000"
WIN this latter sum, both Col. Mercer
ana Supt Ashmore stated yesterday. the
schools have been satisfactorily conduct
"a uuilhg the year. Three new school
houses were built in the country al
Bloomingdale Thunderbolt and Montei,h
extensive improvements were made TO the
outhouses and sanitary ARRANGEMENTS of
the barnard Street and St PatricL's
schools, and alterations were made in
the various city schools, which enabled the
ooard 20 provide for an increased attend
ahce OF about ESQ pupils, who would 9th
er"ise have been excluded. In addition to
q
ats uept contracted on account of the build
ing of the Anderson Street and Henry
Street Schools.
win the same appropriation of $S5 OOO 3"
sald Col. Mercer, I'VE can satisfactorily
conduct the schools during the coming
year and make additional improvements
10 the city schools, as well as build sew
pai country school houses, which are very
nuch needed The amount would not be
suihcieht to enabfe us to begin the cree
tioh Oh new public school building which
Is very much needed. AT the meeting of the
board OF Education tonight the finance
committee will doubtless be instructed to
prepare statement of our needs for the
coming year to be submitted to the grand
jury" 0 eA'''iN
COL Mercer is not in favor of first SUBJ
Hituhs this statement to the County Com
missioners
Ne pOuy mas CHOSEN TO Ignore us" he
SSiu, and l see no reason why the Board
Vi Education should now humiliate itself
~ requesting hearing by the commits
soners. Had the commissioners notified
10 mat they were about to consider their
annual budget and that they desired us 10
5ppear before them we would gladly have
uone So 1t has been customary in the
past 70 give such notices. The school APP
p sn5 ne. is part of the county budget
a.'u the County Commissioners are proper
the body with which the appropriation
snouid originate. The grand jury is a su-
PrVlsofy body. but it is not a part of its
BUSINESS TO make the appropria tons How
er" the commissioners have placed them
YES IN the position where they can
-idIdly avoid providing whatever sum the
sand jury sees fit to name"
o. Mercer has already expressed a de-
stle 70 include music and drawing among
we school studies for the coming year
Ihese studies are properly part of the
scuooi course and are so considered in all
enlightened communities" he said "They