The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-07

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presumed to operate. was unconsttu-
tional inasmuch as 1t provided for II
school district in cities of the second
class. and such legislat ton. under the
decision in the Kennedy case, was un-
constitutional. 1t being an attempt to
classify school districts and legislate
specially for different classes.
But to the surprise of the ma tority
of lawyers, the Supreme court sus-
tained the Act of 1874 and continued
the board of twenty.one in office. Mr..
Burns was one of the attorneys who
was engaged in the assault on the 1874
act and. it is reasonable to presume. Is
thoroughly acquainted with the matter
in all its qualifications. Mr.. Burns says
he is satisfied that if the constitutions
ality of the Act of 1895. the Kennedy
act. is again brought up, the Supreme
court will rule that 1t is good law. and
that all error was committed when 1t
was declared invalid.
One Way Out.
This suggests one way the Scranton
school district may solve the difficulty
that confronts IL. Another way is that
championed by Mr.. Reedy. the boards
solicitor. He holds that in the absence
of any code of laws for school districts
in second-class cities. the Scranton
school district will be entitled to retain
her present laws. even though they do
apply to school districts i'll cities of the
third class. His argument is that the
term school districts in cities of :he
third class" is 4 geographical rather
than legislative distinction. and that
as there is no provision made for
"school districts in cities of the second
class" and none can be made. the
Scranton school district must needs
keep what laws it has, ut least until
such time as other laws are passed to
Supplant them. as would eventuate in
the case of the Kennedy act being de-
clared valid by the Supreme court re-
versing itself
If neither of these views are ac-
Quiesced in by the Supreme court,
Scranton's school district would natur-
ally have to fall back on the general
Act of 1854. as Allegheny did and when
this thing comes to pass, if it should.
Scranton can look out for bother.
The Act of 1854 provides for Il separ
ate school board in each ward and 4
central board composed of all the MEM
bers of all the ward boards. This would
give Scranton Il school board of 126
members. Allegheny has six wards less
than Scranton, but at that ii is COM
planning grievously of the bulkiress of
its central board. The work Is done
mainly by committees of fifteen but all
their transactions are under the direc
ton and subject to the approval of the
whole board.
The Central Board.
The central board levies tax sutfi-
cient To pay for the High schools eX-
penses. for the salary of officers. teach
ers and other general employees for text
books, stationery and supplies and. in
fact for all general expenses. The
sub-boardS are, under the law. made q
quasi-corporation and have practically
all the powers of the general board. 1t
levies Il tax for the construction ANA
maintenance of the building or hni'd
ings in its respective bailiwick. selects
the teachers. hires and pays the ilni-
tors and looks after all repairs and
other matters of maintenance.
Councils must assess and collect
whatever tax the school boards levy.
1t is mandatory on the councils and
there is nothing to interfere with the
school controllers discretion in the
matter. even the courts being power
less to interfere.
In Allegheny the school tax for sub
board purposes varies in the different
wards from Il fraction of mill to eight
or nine mills. The tax for General
school purposes is about three mills.
The whole tax is about six mills. and
this is on n total valuation of $4,000.
600. or, to be exact. on 80 per cent. of
$T6 0O0, 900. the abatement of ne-third
on rural property and one-half on agri-
cultural property resulting in reduc-
ton of 10 per cent.
At present one of the Allegheny
wards is building II 100000 school
house Two of the wards maintain in
dustrial schools.
Pianos and Organs at Guernsey Hall
at greatly reduced prices for the holi-
days. Terms are easy and goods the
finest in the market. 3l4 WASHINGTON