The Portland daily press., 1900-04-12
The DOORS OPENED.
First Meeting of Bo ard
of Overseers
To Which Newspaper Men We're
Admitted.
Searchlight Turned On
Some Matters
About Which Public Has Been
Guessing Some Time.

Another record has been broken b. the
board OF ovsrsesrs Of the poor. Last week
when the board came together vote was
passed that In the future the regular
monthly suppers. which have for time
i'm memorial been incident to the regular
meetings held at the alms house. should
be aboiished. Public agitation was the
cause OF this action being taken By the
board and 1t also seems 10 account for
the vots which Was passed at the meeting
held last evening that newspaper men
should be admitted to the meetings Of
the beard.
The board met at the office Of the
secretary in the City building at 7.sO
O'Clock last evening" and besides Chair
man Cousens there were also present
Messrs. Cloudy, Gowen, Libby, Danisls.
Daggett, BibbeF, York and Colssworthy.
The absentses were Messrs Ross. johns
ton and Pierce The board got right down
to business and Secretary Baker was
instr ucted to read the records OF the last
meeting. The records were approved.
While the records we're being read re-
porter for the PRESS entered the room
and was politely requested to step out
side. Mr.. Daniels followed him out and
explained that II anything OF Importance
was done the reporters would be told
about it after the meeting had adjourned.
He said that 10 had always been eustom-
ary to hold these meetings behind closed
doors and reporters were never admitted
to them. The reporter thanked Mr..
Daniels but concluded to wait around a
while.
After the records were read and ap-
proved Mr.. Goudy was recognized and
said that he desired to bring up matter
Of importance. "For long time there
has been great deal of suspicion cast
upon this board" he said. "This talk
has increased more and more every year.
People have come 20 believe that every
thing 10 not done by the toard as 1t
should be. Why should We hold mee tings
behind CLOSED doorss We are public
organization and are elected to spend the
money Of the psopls or at least to have
charge Of the spending Of 1t. This board
should hold meetings open to the public
Just the same as the meetings Of the city
council, But the objection may perhaps
be raised that everything which we do at
these meetings should not be published.
egres to this objection but have sum
oient oonhdencs in the discretion Of the
newspaper men whom am sure would
rot publish every thing that comes up.
For years 1t was the custom Of the school
committee to hold meetings at which the
newspaper men we're not admitted.
Then a ohAngs came about and the
newspaper men were admitted to the
meetings and have attended them for
several years past. Since this has been
allowed / have heard no objections TO the
plan. Tn people want to know whether
these meetings are to be open or whether
they are to he closed. We should have
these meetings open to the public and
make the motion that the newspaper
men be allowed to attend not only this
meeting tonight but all of the meetings
which the board shall hold In the future. I"
The talk of MIR. Goudy came az sur
prise to scme Of the members present
and considerable discussion followed
tefoIe the vote was taken. Assurances
had been given, however, to Mr.. Goudy
ty Aessrs. Gowen, Libby and Captain
York that they would be In favor Of this
change.
ChAirman Cousens remarked that 1t
had for years been customary to hold the
meetings open only TO che membsls Of the
board. Often times delicate matters
came up which had to be disposed of.
For this reason there might be objections
to the newspaper men being present
MIR. Daniels took the same view of
the question.
MIR. Goudy insisted upon his motion
being presented. There was no opposition
and then Chairman Cousens put the
question which was passed without q
dissenting voice. The newspaper
men were then allowed to enter the room.
Business was duly proceeded with, Mr..
Gowen reported from the COMMITTEES on
rules. He read the rules which were
suggested by the COMMITTEES. After Mr..
Gowsn had read these proposed rules
Captain YORK advised that an amend
msnt be made so one Of the clauses to ths
effect that duplicates should be made out