The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-04-08

anu dlteT NHIle we hre going 10 nave
grand wedding,-two weddings in one. IIe;-
ty and Jenny Bolder will be brid, smads, and
and King George g. Julien Sivre the groons.
men.
The latter is now receiving a thorough mu-
sical education, with distinguished German
teacher, through the munificence Of his old
friend, Captain Downer. When he returns
to his island home, it will be as gentleman,
and professor Of music, with letters of intro
duction, with spotless character, and elegant
manners. We shall hear Of him again.
OBJECTION TO THE SCHOOL LAW.
We confess we are somewhat surprised at
the course of policy the Statesman has seen
fit to pursue towards the new school law of
Ohio. 1t is our deliberate judgment that n
more important measure did not, and could
not engage the attention of the Lcgisla-
,ure than that OF the education of the chill
drcn of the State. The idea of common
schools is not one OF the new things OF to-
day. 1t was brought by the Pilgrims, when
they landed at Plymouth Rock, and from
that time onward it has been the pride and
glory Of New England. All the free States
have adopted the system as an essential ele-
meht Of their policy. Statesmen have We'd
with each other in their praise Of the benefits
that, like the sunshine and the rain, descend
upon all, the high and the low, the rich and
the poor, by the beneiiccnt operation of n
general system Of common schools. 1t is the
estimation of enlightened foreigners who
have Travelled in our land the schools have
cXertcd Il controlling influence upon our ma
tional character. In view of these obvious
facts, it is not TO be wondered at that an at
tack at this time upon the system should ere
ate feeling and excitement of deep and
intense character over the State.
1t is not our province to defend the acts OF
the late Legislature. 1t was not to our lik-
ing. 1t did many very silly things, aud not
few that deserve n still more harsh designa-
tion. But the school law, in our Judgment,
is not in either of these lists. II is not per-
feet, and experience will probably suggest
some changes aud notifications that will be
improvements. 1t is, however, an advance
upon the former laws of the State, and con-
tlns many very important and excellent pro-
visions. Since the act has been published it
has been read and examined with much care
by the friends OF common schools, and it gives
us pleasure to state that the result of this in
vcstigation has been almost unanimously in
its favor.
The part of the system 10 which the Maies-
man objects is that which establishes and
prescribes the duties of Township Boards of
Education. We are not told what terrible
defect there is in that portion Of it, Vague
EcneraiIies about tyranny, taking away the
liberties of the people, ccntraization Of pow
or, &c, are dealt out very literally, and with
the due admNlure Of adjectives and exclama-
ton points. But the specifications are scarce.
Let US consider this subject for few mo-
ments.
This Township Board of Education is COM
posed OF one delegate from each school dis
trict in the township Each district is to O.
lcct three Of its best men for District Com
mittec. One OF these is to be selected by the
three as the Clerk of the Board. 1t is rcas-
enable to suppose that the most intelligent,
competent man will be selected for this post,
MS he is TO be the Chairman. The Clerks of
the several schoo, districts so chosen, are to
compose the Township Board of Education.
are oil elected with special view to this du.
iy, and to this alone. OF course, the electors
will have due regard TO the character of the
men, aud their views upon the school ques-
lions that may exist in any particular locali- !
iy. We cannot imagine that the cause of |
schools, or of liberty generally, will be in
danger by the creation OF such Board They |
come fresh from the people. They are the
people. They have no salaries, aud no pat
ronage that render the post of members of |
this Board worth Il moments thought. No
man can desire it except for the purpose of
doing good in his township and neighborhood.
1t Is one of those subordinate but responsible
posts that wise, patriotic aud good men will
consent to iill, not for profit, not for patron.
age, not for power and influence, but for the
sake Of building up schools, and bcneGttinr
not only his own family, but the entire com.
munity in which he resides. TIE ambitious.
greedy, unprincipled man--the demagogue-
will not be selected Tor such II place. He
will never seek it. This Board will, then, be
composed Of from ten TO fifteen of the n, pst
intelligent and respectable men in each
township. Their duty is to build up the
cause OF common schools. They have an in-
Lerest 10 common with each individual cit.
zen ia the very best system OF instruction
They desire the best teachers that can be
employed. They are interested in having
mioT.able school houses. They may es.
abIish school Of higher grade than the
common district schools. II, in their opinion {
he people of the township require it. IL the
Directors Of any district neglect their duty,
his Board has the power 10 do what their
more immediate representatives, ought to {
ave done, SO that the children shall not sui. a
er by the carelessness or fraud of the men
'ho have been chosen by The districts. They