The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-07
NO SUCCESSOR TO BURNS.
school Board Merely Adopts "A Me-
mortal.

DR.. Allison Maxwell. president Of the
School Board. was absent last night. and
Commissioner George w. Sloan was elected
TO the chair. The special committee appoint
ed to draft resolutions in memory of the
late Michael J. Burns, commissioner from
the Fifth school district, submitted the fol-
lowing:
I'VE testify to the manly bearing. kindly
disposition and uniformly considerate action
of Mr.. Burns toward his associates of this
board. In his life among us there was no
act or word that his friends or family might
wish forgotten. He never spoke in anger,
disappointment or bitterness. but his atti-
tude toward all men and affairs was full of
sweetness, light and philosophic self-control
1t is delicate to speak of the inner lives of
men, 1t is hazardous to speak of controlling
motives that issue in conduct, for who can
surely apprehend them? We do not attempt
these things with regard to Mr.. Burns. We
only know that we saw and knew him he
was kindly, hopeful in all things believing
in his fellows, just in his dealings and en-
dowed with a rare. saving common sense
He had well-balanced mind and charac-
ter With this memorial copied on our rec
ords. we extend the wife and children Of Mr.
Burns the heartfelt sympathy of the Board
OF School Commissioners
me memorial was signed by George w
Sloan, jeremiah A. Collins, William Scott
schools.
The board did not discuss the question of
selecting "A successor TO MIR. Burns. One of
the members said after the meeting that he
dld not think any of the commissioners had
ueclded yet on any particular man to rep
resent Mr.. Burns's district.
During the session Superintendent Goss
submitted report to the board in which
ne showed that there are $50 nonresident
81,
paying their tuition. There are ffty-ive
pupils in the schools paying their tuition
The Indianapolis school laws require that
nonresidents attending the graded schools
High School must pay. according to the
school law, the sum of $40 year. Superin-
tendent Goss explained to the board that it
was very difficult TO collect tuition from
those who try to evade it, They bring for
ward all manner of excuses, and the super
lntendent In his report mentioned some of
the arguments brought to bear by those
VINO feel that they should not be compelled
to pay the tuition. I'VE nave to prove.
pay. The burden of proof is on us" The
superintendent said that there are 143
transferred pupils, in the city schools.
Ihese are pupils whose parents or those
who look after them have had their prop
erty placed on the city tax duplicates for
school purposes" They pay only the
school tax in the city. Superinfendenf Goss
said that there had been some talk of the
present Legislature amending the school
laws 50 tlldI SCIOOl corporations can realize
some benefit from the attendance of nom
residents
My plan would be-" said the superintend-
ent, Ito have the laws so read that pupils
may attend any school corpora ton they de-
sire in the State. Let the tuition be charged
up to the corporation whence the pupil
comes and let the amount be certified to the
superintendent of public instruction, who
can deduct it when the annual apportion-
ment of school funds is made This would
be satisfactory to all school corporations
and would save a great deal of trouble and
confusion" Superintendent Goss says that
the failure of nonresdents to pay their tut
ton Will cut the Indianapolis school out of
$2,0OO revenue this year.
The board last night instructed the COM
mittee on music and drawing to purchase a
piano for the Normal School The board
accepted the new library building in West
indianapolis from the contractors who
have just completed it al a cost of 81, 1875.
Commissioners Baker informed the board
that Catherine Gordon Breed had been in
Nited to give her lecture on Yellowstone
Park in Indianapolis, and suggested that
she be allowed the use of one of the school
buildings The board gave it's consent.
The treasurer Of the board made a report
showing the condition of the following
funds: Special fund, credit balance Jan. l.
1899 $i9l ,072.25; Mccoy fund, credit balance
81 $780, Gregg fund. credit balance $751;. 90;
Manual Training fund. credit balance $2S-
0iO.69 library fund, total credit balance
$22S,9SS.4S; tuition fund, balance in treas
ury, $6,56247