St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-11-27

furnished by Jenkins Brothers, architects
who have examined the work so far done
and declared the feasibility of the under
taking. In order not to assume burden Of
too great proportions, it is proposed for the
present to cut out all inside work that is not
| imperative in the construction of the build
ing, and at a more favorable opportunity
finish it up.
We give below the letter of Mr. Guion as
matter of interest to those earnest workers
for the promotion Of education who have al.
most despaired of overcoming the obstacles
in the way of completing the building:
Attorney Generals Office, !
New Orleans, La, Oct 8, 1909.
Mr.. Edward H. Richard, Attorney at Law,
Covington, La.
Dear Sir am just in receipt of your
communication Of the 7th instant enclosing
me a statement of facts relating to the
school building in Covington, signed by
yourself and Mr.. J. B. Lancaster as ''attor-
ney for the schol board" and, as you inform
me it is the wish of Mr.. Morgan, District
Attorney, that | should give an opinion in
the matter, | have concluded to do so, al
though, assure you, it is at the sacrifice of
State.
II | understand correctly the situation, a
special tax Of four mills was voted on the
10Th OF October, 1906. by the town Of Cow
ington TOR the purpose of erecting school
building IN that town for general educa-
tlonal purposes" that the building has been
partly erected, but that, to complete it, it
will be necessary to change the original
plans and specifications of the building to
meet the amount of the balance of the tax, !"
and that the questions which you desire to
have answered are:
First. Whether this should be done "un-
der the exclusive authority of the parish
school board or under the exclusive authority
of the council of the town of Covington %
Second. To whom should be paid the
amount to be collected from the tax levy of
four mills and
Third. Whether, if the school building
should be completed by the parish school
board, it has the legal right to delegate its
power to committee of citizens, and give
to such a committee the authority to COM
plete such building without reporting their
actions back to the school board %
My opinion is:
First. That the parish school board has
the exclusive authority to undertake the en-
tire work referred to- as it is made it's duty,
by law, to provide for the erection of public
school houses.
Second. That the money arising from the
collection of the special school tax levied by
the town of Covington should be paid to the
parish superintendent of public schools, who
by law is constituted the treasurer of all
school funds; and
Third. That while the parish school board
may select the committee to take charge of
the work referred to, it ought not to divest
itself of the right to dispense with the SER
vices of such committee whenever, in the
exercise of a wise discretion, it may be
proper to do so.
Hence, such school board cannot delegate
its authority so completely to a committee
as to cut itself off from the right to
report to the board from time to time, as
may be necessary, it's action in respect to
the work being done under it's supervision.
Believing that have answered fully the
questions submitted to me, remain
Yours very truly,
WALTER GUION,
Attorney General