The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-08
He SAYS THINGS.
Judge Carver Rattles Dry Bones
in School Board.
Asks Some Pertinent Questions
at Meeting.
MAY SKATER CUSTOM.
Wants Minutes to Show What
Board Does.
Story of Resolution That Was
Not Adopted.

Judge T. F. Carver stirred the calm
and peaceful tenure of the unruffled
grind of the board of education last
night by speaking right out in meeting
and asking questions of. why this and
that is done
First Judge Carver inquired why the
clerk and superintendent of the city
vance of the day the terms begin. the
clerk is selected in August for term
to begin the following February. The
superintendent is reelected in February
for term to begin in August No one
could explain why this was the man
ner of procedure except that it was the
custom. Judge Carver limited that the
law provides that the clerk and super
intendent be elected when the board or
ganizeS at the August meeting. With
the school board the custom will be
adhered to.
Judge Carver then questioned why
the minutes did not show that the
boards committee on supplies had been
empowered to receive and let the con-
tracts for paper, pencils and supplies.
The committee acted but the records
did not show it. He was informed that
1T was not customary to make sucn
records in the minutes until the COM
mittees had completed the work and re-
ported.
E. E. Roudebush then inquired about
lengthy resolution referred to in the
minutes of the last meeting to the eff
feet that the new board should be
bound by all contracts and agreements
of the former board.
Il don't remember hearing any sucn
resolution" said E. E. Roudebush-
mo such resolution was ever pre-
scented to the board" said E. E. Miller.
Il presented the resolution" said w.
H. Wilson
I'm what form?'' was asked.
Mr.. Wilson admitted that he had sim
ply signified according to custom
that the usual resolution adopted by
all new boards be passed the explana-
ton was made that according to Gus
TOM the resolution was passed, with
out being read, and was then copied py
the clerk from the records of last year,
as has been the custom for years.
The next question was regarding tne
record made in the minutes OF the last
meeting about the increased height OF
the new Lafayette school building. The
minutes read that the basement snoulo
be built a foot higher than first intend
ed Judge Carver inquired why the
minutes did not read that the basement
was to be raised a foot and each foor
of the superstructure raised SIX 1nches:
No one could explain by any custom
why this had been admitted ana the
admission had to be made that 1t was
an error. The board than proceeded to
transact business.
The bill presented by L T. Gage for
taking the school census was pTSSSntCo.
Mr.. Gage reported II, 422 names and was
to receive, according to the custom
of years past one cent a name. Hereto
fore he counted only the number OF
children in the different ages pue TINS
wear the new law required him to re-
turn a card for each child with the
child's name and history written on the
card This made more than twice as
much work as heretofore. The poara
decided that Gage ought to be paid more
for his services and then there was
struggle to see how much or a raise
should be made.
Mr. Kutz wanted him to receive two
cents a name. Mr. Keith thought a cent
and a half a name would be proper.
Mr.. Roudebush suggested 81 a day Mr..
Miller thought 5000 was about right ana
after lengthy discussion Mr.. Gage was
allowed 5000.
Supt. Davidson announced that E. H.
Heacock vice principal of the high
school and professor in chemistry ana
physics, had resigned to go to chicago
and engage in the insurance business
Stunt Davidson suggested that II. L.
Miller teacher in mathematics. be
elected to fill the vacancy OF vice prln-
cipal and this was done. Supt- DAVID
son announced that he had not found
a professor for the chair of chemistry
and physics that he could recommend
The designations of Jessie Dean, teacher
at Quincy school, and Maud Pattlson.
teacher at Grant school. were received
and accepted
Supt Davidson announced that North
Topeka people who had been driven to
the south side of the river by the Hood
had told him that if the basement
rooms at the Quincy and Grant schools
were to be used this winter for school
purposes that they would not move
back to North Topeka but would re-
main on the south side Supt. David
son recommended that if the regular
school rooms in North Topeka are
crowded that rooms in business houses
on Kansas avenue be rented to be used
jnstead of the basement rooms.
A A. Rogers, who moved out of the
Fourth ward. rendered his resignation.
and j. d. Norton was elected to sue
coed him The board has had trouble
about the price of coal, and it was de-
cided to have a member of the coal