The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-03-21
THE PEOPLE WIN.

The injunction asked for by the
people of District 2, Chanute, was
tried before Judge Stillwell last Sat-
urday. The Judge made the injunc-
tion permanent, restraining the board
from using any of the last 25,OCO
voted by the people, for the erection
Of an eight room building in the
Third ward. The people voted on the
proposition to build in that ward a
commodus and up-to-date six room
building. which gave the Third ward
one room more than they needed to
accommodate their children, in con-
nection with other building PROPOSE
tiOnS, but majority OF the board con-
ceved the idea of diverting the money
from the purpose for which it was
voted and build an eight room build
ing in the Third ward, which they
say they will some time need.
Let US see about the immediate
needs. At the last census the Fourth
ward had 610 children to care for and
has but five rooms for ward purposes,
and one Of them is a dark, dreary.
poorly ventilated hoie, unfit for school
purposes. With the four additional
rooms contemplated, the Fourth ward
will have nine rooms for ward pur-
poses.
The Third ward at the last census
had 800 pupils, something over one
half that of the Fourth ward.
Supposing that all the children of
of school age attended the nine rooms
In the Fourth ward each would have
6S pupils and the six rooms In the
Third ward would have but 60 TO the
room. AS large per cent Of those OF
school age never attend. many Of
them being married women and young
men who have quit school and gone
to work, the ctual attendance would
probably about fill the nine rooms in
the Fourth ward and comfortably fill
FIVE rooms In the Third.
In view Of these facts, when every
dollar of the available money is going
to be needed to complete the rooms
and make the repairs contemplated
and then be a shortage, is there any
reason or justice In the claims OF
the Third ward that they must have
three surplus rooms, and other parts
of the city only bare sufficiency?
We would appeal to the honor, in
tellgence, good Judgment and fair
mindedness Of the people OF the city
in this matter. We do not believe
majority Of the people on either side
will sustain the board In its action
when the facts are fully known and
carefully considered. There should
be fairness and equity In all matters,
public as well as private. For two or
three years the people Of Chanute
have been voting on 0nc-sided bond
propositions sprung by various mem
bers OF the board who did, not know
the wants and desires of the people,
and did not take the time to investi-
gate. or did not care, so they could
carry their point, and the propositions
have been uniformly voted down.
Last summer the people, feeling the
urgent needs of more school room ia
cilities In our town, and having set
tied the fact that no jug-handle prop
OsitiOn would carry, began to consult
with one another In spirit of COM
promise. and finally got together on
bond proposition that seemed to meet
the views of the various parts of the
city. In brief, that proposition was
to vote $500 to buy site and erect
a four room building in the First
ward, a four room addition to the two
room building in the Second, two
room addition to the four room bIlid-
ing in the Third and to buy a site
and erect four room building in. the
Fourth ward. This proposition was
carried without any particular oppo-
sltion. The school board was eX-
pected TO go ahead at once and have
at least part of these buildings ready |
for occupancy by tile first of last Janu- |
ary. As yet there Is not contract |
let. The board qurreled and investi- |
gated and investigated and quarreled |
till the latter part Of the winter, when |
they decided they did not have money |
"the sparrows having burned |
down the four room b lid ng in the |
Third ward" In the meantime.
Then another general talk among |
the people was had and il was decided |
that another s25, proposition should |
be submitted TO the votes. The gen.
eral talk and understanding was. IN !
this proposition, that each |
ward should have when the buildings
we're completed just what the first |
contemplated-the Third /
ward modern six room building and
the other wards as specified, aud IN
certain Improvements were
10 be male TO the High school room
aud the old Fourth ward building
generally overhauled aud put Ia mod
srn shape. A number OF the west
'Ide members talked freely with the
east side members on the matter and