The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-10-04
SCHOOL MATTERS
Discussed by Boards Of Mayor and
Aldermen and Education.
Question as to Whether New Build
ing Shall Be Built or the Athe.
n@um Property Bought.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen
had called meeting Friday after
noon, for the purpose of considering
requests from the Board of Education
in regard to arranging For more school
room. Mayor Cameron and all of the
aldermen except Mr.. Craft, together
with several members of the Board of
Education, We're present at the meeting.
The city has part OF the Athenaeum
property rented for this year, as the
public school building is crowded to
overhowing.
Mr.. James Andrews, President of
the Board of Education, presented his
views as to what should be done, his
plans being concurred in by about six
members of the Board of Education,
the other four members holding differ
ent views. He wanted the city to erect
new building on the old school lot,
to cost about $4,000, it being the
it would require that much to erect the
building needed. He argued that the
schools should all be on the same loca-
tion, as the city now owned the
ground, and that it was a very favora-
BILE spot for new building that the
location would give good flow to
sewerage; that the schools should be
together so that the Principal could
look after both; that if the Athenaeum
property was purchased as some of the
Board of Education desired, the lots
which had been divided among the
Smiths would be built up and would
crowd the school with Objectionable
features. He presented his side of the
question very fully, exhibiting the
plan of one of the Nashville schools as
being somewhat after the manner of
school needed
Mr. w. s. Fleming, representing the
minority of the Board of Education
requested that instead of spending
$40, 900, which the city did not have
and for which it had no power to issue
bonds except by legislative authority,
and to raise which would require a
heavy increase in taxes, the city pur-
chase from Capt. r.. D. Smith the
Study Hall building with about IL
acres Of ground surrounding it, front
ing on the proposed extension of Eighth
street, running back to Ninth, with a
street leading from the front of the
Study Hall to West Seventh street
the purchase price of this property
would be ST. 800, payable on or before
twenty years from date with her
notes bearing per cent interest. anC
no cash. Mr.. Fleming insisted that by
SO doing the city would acquire lant
which, when the notes fell due, woult
De an asset sufficient to meet the notes
in the event that the city then desired
to erect a modern building on theil
old property. By this plan, the city
would only have to pay $3.50 per annun
interest on the 81, 800, as against $6O'
interest ON the SO, 900 building; thu
city is now paying $500 per annun
rental ON the Athenaeum property
Mr. Fleming argued that the Stud!
Hall has more floor space, and is bette
located than the new building woult
be; the hall is in an excellent state o.
repairs, and will furnish all of tn
school room needed for many years in
the future.
After hearing the arguments, tn
Board of Mayor ami Aldermen referre,
the matter back to their school com
mlttee, and thus the matter stands
} The aldermen are divided in sthei
opinions, but 1t is understood that
, majority of them are in favor of erect
| ing new building. 1t is quite i'm
probable that any action will be take
by the present Board.
| The Board also received a repor
from Chairman Payne of the road com
| mittee, who reported that the neN
road machine purchased recently b
r the city had come up to expectation
an. was doing all the company elaine
for ii.
The Board then adjourned.