Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1842-12-07


which were exciting the hopes, and exercis-
ing the energies of men looking only to the
accomplishment of their stupendous projects.
While millions were layIshed, ave, wasted.
on measures which have literally crushed US j,
the less exciting subject o. common schools
has been almost forgotten. But let it be re-
membered that we may construct canals and
railroads, and foster commerce, and cherish
our agricultural interests, and secure advan-
tageous markets, and may obtain all that these
various objects are capable Of accom- pllshing,
and yet, by Rejecting that moral and intel
lectual culture which is the result Of an effi-
Gent system OF education, the very founda-
/ lions OF our social and political institutions
may be rotting and moulderIng beneath US.
! The Auditor of State has bestowed some
attention on the condition Of the school
fund during the past year; not that there is
any law imposing such duty, but merely
with view TO enable the Executive to point
the Legislature TO the necessity of giving the
subject most thorough consideration, A
Circular was addressed TO the various County
Auditors. Answers have been received from
hfly.eight counties, and are, in many in
stances, necessarily defective. The returns
from portion OF the counties show their
school funds 10 be well managed. In others
they may be safe, bu! the accounts are in so
much confusion, that correct opinion can
be formed. In some cases the fund has been
totally, Irretrlevably lost.
The result OF the Investigations prosecuted
by the Auditor of State will be laid before
you, and will exhibit mitch valuable matter.
Where no answer has been received from a
county, such other sources Of information
nave been resorted to as seemed the best
adapted 10 the purpose of obtaining the data
requisite tor the presentation OF general
statement OF the various matters connected
with this most important subject. The fol-
low ing particulars, cleaned from the Auditors
report, are not only interesting, but will ena-
bic the Legislative to Judge of the value Of
our school fund, and the necessity Of further
Investigations.
The amount of surplus revenue dis.
trIbuted 10 different counties is, S723, 346
Funds derived from sale Of school
/ lands l,lo5 500
Value of unsold lands 425,352
Total value Of school fund of this
State, $2,254,597
Interest on the above sum, for the
last year, Sl45 ,ees
Interest distributed, 94,4 SO
Unaccoun,od for, 5l,e62
4 Itappears, from the report Of the Auditor,
that the number Of children having a right to
be admitted 10 our schools Is estimated to be
237,l43. 1t is also stated that the whole
number who were in school during the past
year was Laos, leaving 1868 children
who were not sent TO school during any part
OF the year.
The number Of school districts in the State
is set down at 3, 76O, and the school houses at
1851.
! in ba rf
Auditor requires particular attention. Dur
ing seven wears, from 1892 to 1888 inclusive.
the value Of the lands returned by the col
lectors of the counties for the non payment
Of taxes, and appropriated by law TO the ben
eft Of schools, is S63,O4O. The sum return
ed by the school commissioners of twenty
five counties, as having been collected on &C
count Of these lands, including penalty and
interest," is 81 5000. So far as shown. nothing
seems to have been derived from this source
in the remaining counties, leaving uncollected
S54,4a6.
There must have been more than this
amount realized, taking into consideration
the heavy penalty and interest imposed IN
such cases. The only evidence Of payment
by delinauents is the receipts gwen to them
by the school commissioners. This constr
tn,es the only check; but it would be wrong
to cast censure, merely because these ac-
counts are confused and unsatisfactory. This
is no. intended. The above instance IS re-
ferred TO, for the purpose of directing the
attention Of the Legislature to the defects OF
the entire system. and to show the necessity
of imposing proper checks, and requiring the
frequent exhibition Of all accounts relating to
these funds, at stated intervals.
1 With reference to a specific recpmmenda-
ton on this subject, can only say to the
Legislature that, involved as is the condition
of our school. funds, and indeed the whole
subject, no better suggestion occurs to my
mind, or more likely to be followed by valua
Bile results, than to invite your earnest atten
ton to the task of ascertaining the amount and
condition of these funds, and if need be, &c