Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-04-07
Correspondence.
school Census Matter.

ELLSWORTH. April q, 1909.
To the Editor OF The Amertcdn.
Many people have asked me repeatedly,
and perhaps wondered, Why | have not
answered any OF the numerous letters and
editorials under the guise OF news items
which nave made SO much business Tor
the newspapers OF eastern Maine on the
now historic Ellsworth census matter.
There are several reasons why | hay
kept silent. For one thing. | have been
too busy tending TO my own business TO
be much worried by what others might be
saying or thinking OF this matter. For
another, had no desire 70 start answer
ing letters singiy, fearing / might be be-
guiIeG into the same extravagances nj eN-
preston ana meaningless hiliingsgate
which have chiefly characterized the most
of these articles.
In the midst OF elimination and recrimi-
nation, false accusation and maiediction,
sneers and taunts. hasty judgments and
ill-timed denanciation, | have remained
silent until it secured to me the public
must be tired Of SANDER and r.acy Tor the
facts.
In concise way, therefore, now wish
10 pres TO the pl6lie few facts in the
discussion which hitherto has been made
up OF everything ana anything but facts.
l. That Mr. John A. Scott ostensibly took
school census in the spring OF 1903,
AttSF D@lAg tETtA4EHssl pf one ~ HIS sui
porters on the school board with prose-
cution for failure to do his duty under
the law Now the controlling faction
OF this board was the same in 1907 and
1903, viz; Messrs. Davis and stuart. In
1897 they accepted Mr.. John F. ROYALS
return of 1,397, and likewise in 1905 they
accepted Mr.. iona A. SCOTS return of
LOOT without any question. | submit
that they were grossly negligent OF their
all hAr mr.
normal variation in one year could not
possibly be $40.
Ii. That Mr.. John A. 5 ,ott never filed
his census with the full board. aud has
parsistentiy refused - submit Ii or a
copy to the mayor or city government
for inspection, and continues so to do by
advice Of counsel.
III. That the lnsyor ordered special CEN
sus under authority of Ssste-Superin
tcndent Payson Smith taken in June,
1908, BY Mr.. John f. Royal By house-to-
house canvass, and that MIR. Royal re-
turned l,i97 scholars.
". That Mr.. John A. Scott allowed the
city, through our representative, Hon.
Joha A Peters. to proceed to get re-
solve partially through the legislature
for reimbursement for deficiency under
his census until ne was absolutely sure
be would rot oe reelected as superin-
tendent; that then he did as he had pre-
viously threatened made pu bile his
charges OF fraud.
V. That at a reheariny of this matte. be-
fore the committee on claims, his
charges were not substantisted, as the
letters following will make plain. Fur
Their. it was'proven at this hearing that
his census vas defective, and that he
himself testified that he actually took
only 50 per cent. of it himself.
VI. That the number returned by Mr..
Royal in July, 1908, was correct, and
that Mr.. Scott was incorrect can be
proven by CITY records. school registers
and other reliable dsts.
VII That MIR. John A. Scott never took a
true and complete census according to
law; that his conduct in the premises
has been neither gentlemanlv nor hon
ora bic, aid that his whole attitude has
been inspired by political disaffection
and spite on the part OF himself and
few o. his friends.
VIII. That Mr.. Scott has been successful
in preventing the city from obtaining
$3.50 which the mayor and city govern
ment believe is justly due the city this
year, but he has been unsuccessful in
substantis,ing in any way his charge
of fraud or bad faith On the part of the
mayor and city government.
FRANK +. SlMoNToS.
Mayor of Ellsworth.