The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-17

| INSIST IN KINDERGARTENS.
| Mr.. Rawson presented a petition with
| accompanying resolution passed by the
! school committee requesting such action
as may be necessary to have the annual
! appropriation for schools made In April
| instead OF September. Referred 10 the
| committee on finance.
| Mr.. Parsons presented a petition OF the
| Public Education association, represent
| ing that II had petitioned the school com
| mittee TO retain the kindergartens, and
| requesting the city council TO favorably
| consider the application OF the school
: committee for an appropriation large
enough TO carry the school work through
| the present school year. The matter was
referred to the committee on education.
The petition follows:
| To the Honorable City Council OF the
City OF Providence:
The Public Education association
through its committee on kindergartens
and by authority given It for that pur-
pose respectfully represents that II has
In ncommonwith the Free kindergarten as
sociation and numerous citizens. parents
and teachers, petitioned the school conf
mittee 10 retain the kndergartens as an
important, even an essential. part OF the
public school system. which petitions, II
is understood Will be transmitted to the
city council.
These petitions are signed by hundreds
and a perusal of them will show that
the parents-especially mothers OF kim
dergarten children-residents living near
kindergartens, taxpayers-both those pay
ing very heavy taxes and those paying
but small amount-teachers OF primary
and other schools who receive the kinder
garten graduates. the Free Kindergarten
ssociation-which established and car
rled on kindergartens without expense to
the city for l6 years-and the Public Edu-
cation assocition, all unite In advocating
their continuance az a part OF the pub
lie school system.
The Public Education association. there
fore. respectfully petitions your honorable
body TO favorably consider the application
of the school committee for the apprv-
priation large enough TO carry on the
. schools as now decided upon for the full
| school year, anu asks 10 be notified IL any
hearings are held upon granting this re-
quest that II may have an opportunity TO
J advocate the same.
ALFRED STONE.
Chairman Committee on Kindergartens.
Accompanying this was the list OF pc
titions and testimonials referred to above.
namely rs petitioners favoring the reten-
ton OF kindergartens and IL testimonials
from teachers and parents favorable to
the work which they are accomplishing.
SPECIAL TAX SCHEME KILLED.
Mr., Rawson presented an ordinance
levying special tax OF III cents on the
800 for the purpose OF relieving the
stringency I'm the financial condition OF
the public schools. Mr. Rawson moved that
II be referred TO the committee on finance,
and Mr.. Massie then moved that the
council go into executive session, and II
| was so voted.
The council went into executive session
| at Oils O'Clock, and II was nearly l0:45 be-
| fore Il rose. The discussion waxed warm
! at times, and nearly everybody present
| spoke for or against the proposition.
Mr.. Rawson started the ball rolling by
| saying that he realized that a statement
| of the existing conditions was due not
| only to the city council but to the tax
| paying public as well. as a reason for re-
| questing any further financial assistance
| for the schools. The school committee. he
| said. had cut down 10 the lowest possible
| margin OF safety. so far az efficiency is
| concerned. the expenditures for the school
| system
Further retrenchments I'm the line OF
dispensing with the kindergartens was n
| subject Of volume OF protests I'm the
| form OF remonstrances from every ward
In the city.
| According 60 the present outlook II will
be necessary not only TO leave unused
some OF the new school rooms, but even
three or four OF the schools already In
use must he closed next year for lack OF
funds. lie said that while II was disagree
able 10 propose additional taxation. he
! doubted II the taxpayers would refuse to
! countenance a tax of only l5 cents on an
| assessment OF $1,000, under .the circum-
| stances.
Mr. Massie. as chairman OF the finance
committee. explained the operation OF the
ordinance under which II was proposed to
| act, and said that as almost every de-
partment OF the city government had re-
| ported "A deficiency, and there were grave
| doubts whether some absolutely impcra-
| tive matters could be provided for. he
would suggest that the council take an
Informal vote upon n proposition TO In
crease the tax from the amount proposed
| by Mr.. Rawson TO fve cents on the hun
dred dollars. This. he thought would be
effected by repeating the present tax or
dinance and substituting a rate OF 81 65.
Mr.. Balch stated that he would be will
ing TO go back TO his constituency with
the proposition for the Increase OF rate
as he believed they were In favor OF the
city meeting its honest debts.
Mr.. Ssson said that ne thought n mis-.
take had been made In the original nxlng
OF the tax rate for the next fiscal year
Mr.. Gilrain and Mr.. Dunn spoke I'm op-
position TO the proposition OF raising the
tax FIVE cents.
After some time had been passed ir
exchanging desultory remarks a vote was
taken upon the propositions. and both
were defea1ed by vote OF more thar
three 20 one.
The executive session than closed. and
when the doors were again opened e
the public the propositions were agair
submitted 90 vote and unanimously de
! feated.
The common council then voted 10 ad
journ under the rules. which means thai
II will not meet again except in specia
session. until next September.
MINOR MENTION.
The reports OF the city auditor. city
treasurer and city messenger for ths
month of May were received