Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-03-28

the dominant party in Mercer, would
make itself felt, even in Trenton. We
do not know to what extent, II any,
personal or political influence. baked
our attempts to have the law enforced.
We have learned by actual experience
that laws are of no avail unless en-
forced.
Must Decide Regarding Contempt.
TT is now up to this Senate to de-
termine whether the failure Of wit
nesses to obey subpoenas duly issued
by one of its committee is a contempt.
II 1t is. then those guilty should be
punished. If the State has no power
to punish for contempt then a law
should be forthwith enacted giving it
such power so that in the future COM
mittees will receive the respect due the
Senate. Aside from those who We're
under indictment, the committee ex-
perlenced no difficulty with witnesses
except those of North Bergen, and
strangely enough the broker, Mr.. How
ard Stokes. who absolutely refused to
answer any questions about his pur-
chase of school bonds of that and
other districts on the ground hat the
committee could not exact informa-
ton from him about any school bonds
other than those which were purchased
by the trustees of the school fund.
Though il has seemed TO the conn.,
mittee that neither a member of a
board nor it's custodian could legally
retain any profits made by them in
their transactions for or with the
board, still We know of no attempt
ever having been made to recover ILL
gotten profit. Neither do we know
of any case when an attempt has been
made to hold a member of a board
liable for damages for wrongful or
negligent conduct on his part"
school Buildings UnAt for Occupancy.
The report deals with the school
buildings and says that many Of them
are unfit for occupancy. 1t recon-
mends that the State architect should
have authority to examine all build
ings and direct the entire or partial
abandonment of them if he should
deem 1t proper. The report also says
that the State Board of Education
should be authorized to appoint an in
spector Of buildings at a salary not
to exceed $4,000. The matter OF text
books and supplies is gone into, and
the committee calls attention to the
fact that there are too many kinds of
different text books being purchased.
The report also says that too much
of the time of teachers is taken up
by booksellers. The accounts of the
various districts show that there has
been loose methods in volume in the
purchase of these books. and the conf
recommends hat an inspector
of accounts be appointed at a salary
Of s 1000. This inspector shall spend
his whole time in the examination of
the accounts OF the school districts.
The medical examination of children
is also treated, and the report says
that IL the best results are to be OBJ
more attention must be given
to the physical attention of the chill
dren.
Condemns Educational system.
The system OF education in this
State is severely condemned. 1t is
to as the 'Go-as-you-please"
and the committee urges that
the state Board of Education should
be charged with the duty of ascertain
ing whether the system of education
In each district is thorough and eff
cient, and the state Board should have
the power to direct that no State funds
be paid a district until its system is
so.
A high school inspector at a salary of
1850 per year is recommended. He
should devote his entire time to in