Evening star., 1901-08-06
Contributions to the Controversy Over
the Secretary's Salary.
GENERAL BOYNTON WRITES A LETTER
Major TwombIy Takes Issue With
His Statements.
CONTROLLER GETS PAPERS


quest for the official records Of the elec-
tion of Walter F. Rodrick as secretary OF
the board of education, to be used by him
in determining the question as to whether
the July salary shall be paid to Mr.. Rod
rick or to Major Twombly, who claims it
as pay for a months leave granted to him
at the last formal meeting Of the board.
the District Commissioners today submitted
those records. together with the following
communication on the subject:
Gen. H. v. Boynton, president Of the
board of education, writes us> >under date
Of August 8, 1901, respecting the claim of
Maj. H. H. Twombly for pay as secretary
of the board, for the month of July, the
following explanation, which ought to be
considered as part Of the case submitted
to your adjudication:
THE leave of absence with pay, voted
upon my motion, and upon the majors per-
sonal request. was with the express under
auditor deciding that he could lawfully al
low this extra pay without affecting the
pay OF the new secretary, whose term OF
office was, by formal vote, ordered to begin
July l. This was perfectly understood by
Major Twombly, as shown In his statement
to me that the auditor would find some way
| to pay it, probably from the contingent
| fund.
Contingent Upon Auditor.
'"The statement in the minutes Of the
| meeting that such leave had been granted
was not approved at the following meeting,
but action the question of approving 1t
was postponed and made contingent upon
the auditors decision. Subsequently the
| auditor stated Informally that he could not
pay both, and, thereupon, by agreement
signed by every member of the board, the
q.
scinded. Since, In the first place, 1t was
granted contingent upon the auditor decid-
ing that he could allow this extra pay, the
resolution for leave with pay virtually fell
without further action on the part of the
board; but, in order that there might be no
room for doubt as to its intentions, the
signed agreement was made part of the
record. This method was taken to avoid
calling members of the board who were
absent from the city back to Washington
merely to act upon this case In formal
meeting. There is not the slightest founda-
ton in equity for the claim Of Major
Twombly."
Major TrOmbly's Statement.
When the above letter of General Boyn-
toms was shown to Major Twombly this
afternoon he said that its statements were
not in accord with the records Of the board
of education. General Boynton very kind
ly called attention of the board to the fact
that had served it faithfully, working a
great deal overtime, and had received no
leave during the year, but DR.. Kingsman
made the motion granting me leave for
the month of July with pay, which motion
was unanimously adopted by the board.
'Dr. Kfngsman followed this motion i'm
mediately after it's adoption with the mo-
tion that Mr.. Rodricks appointment
should date from July /. I know it was
the impression of some members Of the
board that Mr.. Rodrick was only to act
informally as secretary during the month
Of July.
"As an evidence Of DR.. Kingsman's inten-
tion in making the motion granting leave
of absence to me. he and Mr.. Rodrick on
Monday, July 1, a few minutes previous to
the last meeting Of the board of education,
proposed to me that Mr.. Rodrick turn over
to me his government printing Office salary
for July-about $125-which he had already
received, and that I should relinquish all
claim to the salary of secretary Of the
board of education for the month of July,
amounting to $685.
Was willing to Prevent Trouble.
while knowing was entitled to the lat
ter salary, / stated to DR.. Kingsman and
Mr.. Rodrick that in order to relieve the
board Of any embarrassment in the matter
1 would accept their proposition. The next
morning, Tuesday, July 2, Mr.. Rodrick in
formed me that he had reconsidered the
proposition, and said that he believed he
could draw both salaries. I thereupon in
formed him that he wouldn't If I could
help 1t.
Gen. BOyntOn's Proposition.
'It seems to me that Gen. Boynton pre-
sents very novel proposition" said Major
Twombly In conclusion, when he endeav-
ors to uphold the right Of legally consti-
tuted body. the organic act creating which
provides for certain number Of meetings
during the year. to rescind its formal action
by the mere signing Of a paper by indivi-
dual members.
1.-The establishment of such a precedent
would clothe such bodies with a power too
arbitrary to be countenanced for a mo-
ment. On the same principle any legisla-
tive body could rescind or enact any meas
ure measures by such star chamber
process whenever 1t felt so inclined"
SATOW WOULD NOT SIGN