East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-08-04

That the particular characteristic
commonly known as ginger" is Woe
fully lacking in many of the school
clerks and directors of the county is
plainly shown by the manner in which
those officials report, or rather fail
to report their work to the county
superintendent.
= 1t has long been a common thing
for school authorities in small country
districts to be dilatory in matters re-
lating to their schools, they evidently
having the belief that the matter is of
their own concern entirely, though the
money for running their schools comes
mainly from the state and county
funds. At this time of the year the
superintendent finds it especially hard
TO get satisfactory work from county
clerks, owing to the fact that many
are engaged in harvesting and other
work. But even during the winter
months woeful neglect is shown by
some clerks and now and then a start
ling ignorance of the law is shown.
Libraries Not Properly Appreciated.
Though each school district now has
an opportunity to secure a school Ii
brary free by virtue of a law passed
at the last legislature. Superintendent
Welles has had great difficulty in get
ting the various districts ready to re-
ceive the same. Some time ago he
asked for recommendations for Ii
brarians in each district and also for
a list of books now owned by the
various districts. Many districts fail
ed to recommend librarians and in a
number of instances replied they did
not need the books. One clerk wrote
the superintendent complimenting
him on his library scheme" and wish
ing the same success, he being of the
opinion that the project was original
with Supt. Welles. Several of the dis
tricts sent in remittances for the
amounts that had been apportioned
them under the impression that they
were required to do so, the idea of
getting something for nothing not be-
ing held by them.
or the los districts in the county
only 80 have sent in lists of books now
owned, and consequently in making
the selections for the libraries the SUI
perintendent will be unable to avoid
selecting books which some districts
already have.
Lax Business Methods.
But the above matter is by no means
the most serious one that has been
neglected, for almost as much lethargy
has been shown in the matter of MAX
/ ing financial reports and the filing of
bonds. Many clerks fail to report on
time and in dozens of instances the
bonds filed are inadequate, or have
not been properly approved. Under
the law a clerks bond is required to
be double the amount of money ham
died during the year and must be APP
proved by the dire ctors. But in one
| instance a clerk of a large district
gave a bond for but $4,000 when he
I handles many times that amount, and
/ he added, that while the bond had
not been approved by the board, he
presumed such was not necessary.
Storm May Strike.
In the report of the grand jury a
year ago it was urged that the ac-
| counts of all the school districts be
exported, and though such was not
! ordered at that time it is very proba-
/ BILE that such will be done some day.
In such an event it is likely that some
startling conditions would be revealed
| to the sorrow of some dilatory Off
cials. However, it is probable that
/ but little II any dishonesty would be
/ found, as the clerks and directors are
usually men of good standing, but
who have fallen into lax methods.