Waterbury Democrat., 1902-01-08
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Elected Old Officials With the Excep-
 tion of Inspector of Buildings.

The new board of education held it's first meeting last evening. and from the manner in which business was done it promises to be one of the best boards of education that was ever elected by the people of this communi- ty. In every respect it Is an organ ization of the interests of the town, for around the table last evening as the members sat discussing the busi- ness of the educational department, was represented the local intelligence of the mechanical. business and pro- fessional life. Every member was promptly on hand at S:15 o'clock. The mayor was the last to arrive. The board is composed of Dr George F. Russell, Timothy F. Carmody Isadore Chase, Charles I. Kent, Charles A. Chapman. Wilfred A. Griggs and pr Edward F. Goodenough. City Clerk Ryan accompanied the mayor to the meeting because things might develop that would require his presence. One can't always tell in affairs public.
 The whole board being present, intro ductions took place, many of the mem- bers being total strangers to each other. Very soon the cause of the city clerks presence became known. It was to read to the board the legal warning of the meeting. This being done, each member was sworn in, in- cluding Mayor Kilduff. because by the provisions of the charter he also is q member of the board. Business of the department was then taken up. The first item was the election of clerk. mi i0naT. Carn1o6v nominated fbp present official, John J. Fitzgerald, and Commissioner Kent seconded the nom- 1nation. Commissioners Kent and Goodenough were selected as tellers. The full vote of the board, seven was cast, and the whole number went to MT Fitzgerald. There spon MT Fitz- gerald, who was sitt { by watching events with q singI { interest. was called to his old se.f {. Promptly he stepped up and i'll few words thanked the board for being selected. He said he would do what he could to satisfy the board that it had made no mistake in selecting him for the clerkship.
 The next was the selection of an in- spector for school buildings Matthew J. Smith Ns nominated by Commis- .sioner Carn " and seconded by Com missioner k Commissioner Good
  set out to mak Nspeech in which he didates with disadl Sage to MT Smith. which prompted the mayor to remind him that this was not allowable. Com missioner GoOdenough said he was q friend of Mir Smith. but he thought MT Mackie was the better qualified man for the post. The result of the vote was four for Smith and three for Mackie Mir Smith was the happy man. The next was the selection of a truant officer. The present official William J. Hurley, was nominated by Commissioner Carmody and seconded & by Commissioner Kent Commissioner Goodenough nominated Beniamin M Witowski and gave his reasons for so M doing. which were somewhat like those for which lie stood by Mir Mackie. The # result of the vote was the same as in the other case and MT Hurley was elected. 1t was then suggested to nominate salaries for these officials but this matter was dispensed with for the present.
 Item No 4. in the matter of elections or school officials. was the selection of a clerk of supplies. the position held by Walter Geraghty. No member
 
 post had been voted for last. and Stu perintendent Tinker replied that it was about seven or eight years since. Nil Geraghty was elected, and the matter went by every board since It was thought better to vote for the position and dispose of all possible chance ot trouble. Mir Geraghty received tht full vote of the board
 Commissioner Carmody at this poin introduced motion to the effect tha hereafter the chairman, or whoavel shall temporarily occupy that position have vote. The motion was adopted after some objection had been ex plalned away. X vice-president wa E then voted for and Commissioner Ken was chosen, receiving six votes; tn other was blank
 Mayor Kilduf then arose and ad dressed the board to the effect that h hoped the meetings of the board woult be harmonious. Undoubtedly uues ticns will arise where an honest differ enee of opinion may occur: such incl dents are unavoidable The peopl were careful evidently in selectin # their representatives for the depart ment of education last fall and the, were to be congratulated upon thei choice. He could say that their con
 
 ndence will not be misplaced H knew the board will make a record | be proud of. The board is one of tn most important If not the importan one of all boards in the city. for it vital question of the day, not aIon In this community but throughout tn country. this question of public educs ton. The system in vogue here is on Of the best in the state and he coul depend upon the board to maintain an improve that system. The question c education is one that demands consit M erable consideration and when tn boards term has expired he hoped tn people will have cause to express thei satisfaction with it. The mayor hope for cooperation from each membe He cannot expect to be present at a # meetings but he will never lose fait by his absences, because he will knov that his place Is filled by a competer |f and considerate member. He hope &g the board would make a record, tn best record ever made by board c education of this city He knew tha W Superintendent Tinker takes a grea Z interest in the system The superir # tendent does good work, but he need -