Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-05-07
Shall we have a Union School.

held in the Salem School lDstrict, TO decide
upon the adoption of the Union School Law.
The election is called for Saturday, l4th inst.
Something ought certainly to be done. The
facilities for public education, are altogether in
adequate to the wants Of the community True
we have good public school for primary in
struction, but our house is by no means large
enough to accommodate all who under the pres
-ent arrangement properly belong even to this
department. All that is beyond this has to be
supplied at private expense, of course, many
who ought to enjoy greater facilities are depri-
we'd of them, and under this arrangement will
necessarily continue to be so deprived.
Certainly the public spirit which has hereto
fore characterised the citizens of Salem, will
means for the education Of all our youth, if the
question is fairly brought before them. That
parsimony or sefshnoss, which would withhold
this, is not less inconsistent with our intelligence,
than with our increase in business and wealth.
Schools permanently established among us o (
high order, will do more to secure permanently,
the residence of substantial, intelligent enter
prising mon of business, than any other means
we can adopt. 1t will fix among us an intelli-
gent and virtuous society, that will be alike to
our credit, ot homo or abroad.
1t may seem strange to some, that just now,
when the new school law has gone into opera
tion, law which affords increased facilities,
over the old for education, that we should be
called upon to abandon il for the Union School
Law We understand that one principal reason
method by which we can hope to secure the
benefits of public high school, as a majority OF
our Board of Education were elected with the
understanding that they were opposed to such a
measure and as yet we have no evidence that
they have changed their opinion or purpose, so
that we have nothing better to do than under
their rule, to satisfy ourselves with the accom-
modations which our present common school
affords. The people can do nothing till the
Board Of Education take the initiatory steps
foi the establishment of high school, and it is
optional with the Board to take these steps or
not. Tho whole thing is in their hands,
Whereas in case Of the adoption of the Union
School Law, the Board of Education under it
have no option in the matter. They are as
much bound 10 establish graded high school as a
primary department. This is just what VIC want
schools adapted to the age anil improvement
Of all classes.
But it is said, true enough such school is
desirable, but our Town is in debt. We cant
afford it. The time has not come. swat
little longer" Doubtless some honestly think
this best, but we strongly think some make this
plea with the determination to stave it off finally
and forever. They have no more idea of ever
having such a school, if they can prevent it,
than they have of having it next week. But
with regard to our Indebtedness, what is the
fact We are informed on unquestionable au-
thority, that including the money now in the
hands of Mr.. Treasurer Quinn, the Corporation
is entirely out Of deN and has a small balance 10
spare. So that we owe nothing except what is
due by the District on the new school house.
A mere trife when assessed upon the property
of the District, especially if the Farmers Bank
of Salem would pay her quota Of the same,
which we understand it has heretofore refused
to do. But even if the bank shall successfully
throw the whole burden upon the small proper
ty holders, still we are not altogether bankrupt,
however unjust it may be on the part of the
bank.s
But the great objection is, our taxes will be
90 intolerably high. There seems to exist the
impression that they will be quito beyond our
ability to pay without terrible distress, personal
and commercial. The outlay most of al! dread
cd, is for a school house. Salem-say some
of our capitalists, who are just now terribly
haunted by the grim spectre, poverty-Saem
cant afford school house for high school
ana pay the expenses of teachers besides, so we
must be content with "common" school,
Our inability compells it. Poor poverty strick-
en- Salem. Had we not better send out Mis-
sionaries to New England or elsewhere and beg
just enough money to build school house, may
be we could keep up school, after that, who
knows; we could try at any rate. lamenta
BILE confession this of our poverty or of our lack
of enterprise and public spirit.
Let us see what other towns have done il
this respect Towns too which these same OBJ
jectors would not be willing to acknowledge
superior to Salem in comparative intelligence
enterprise, business or wealth. Nor do we be-
lieve they are superior.
New Lisbon has during the present weei
contracted for the erection and completion o
a large and commoGious building for he
schools, building larger than would be neces
sary for US.
Harmar, with a population of 1900 ha
school buildings valued at $4,000
sThis tax, as we understand it has nothing u
do with the alleged unconstitutional tax, tn
payment of which the banks of the state hav,
resiated the last winter. The tnx VIVA only lnXet