The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-12-14
q q. Barney, Esl.-as School
Comnlissi oner.

There Is a general impression, in the
State that this gentleman has entered upon
the duties of Schaol Commissioner. This is
a mistake, and we are requested by Mr..
Bameyro correct it, We do it most cheer
fully. Mr. BArney's term does not COM
mence Until the Cd Monday of February
For the past six weeks, from four 10 six
hours per day has been taken from Mr.. Bar
nays lime and dutiesin the school room,
20 answer the scores OF questions of con-
structon arising under the various proyis-
ions OF the School law Mr, Barnty has
answered these questions cheerfulIy; al
though he could not DO it officially. He
knows the importance of having uniform,
reasonable and practical construction of the
law o6 initio. But it is something more
than the people ought to ask Of Mr. Barney,
before he has had a chance to get through
with his School, and without pay.
But he informs us that County Auditors
begin to address their Reports to him, as
Commissioner to Columbus and they are
remitted by officers of State to him at Gin
cinnatl,- that it has become a grievous
bar len, pecuniarly as well as otherwise.
At his suggestion we politely notify all
school officers, school boards, township
clerks. county auditors, DC, that the duties
| of Commissioner will not be assumed by
! him, until the second Monday of February
next. But meantime, he will continue to
express, as private citizen, his opinion on
| al! questions Of construction arising under
the school law, which may be submitted.
| Il NJ nd hny 10 hat
school officers, with the law in their hands
come to the C ono uson that MIR. Barney is
already authorized to act as Commissioner
since the law expressly declares that-"The
election of said Commissioner, and the re-
turns thereof, shall be the same, in all res
poets, as is provided for the election of the
| Judges of the Supreme Court" and when il
also declares thai, shall be the duty
of said Commissioner to make an annual
report on or before the 3Oth day of January
in each and every year, &C." Again the
law says that, Auditor of each and every
county shall on or before the Goth day Of
December, annually make out and trans.
NIT to the Commissioner; at Columbus, an
abstract" DC. Again, the Constitution de-
cares that the official term of the judges Of
the Supreme Court shall commence on the
Cd Monday of February, DC; and that the
returns of the election Of State officers shall
be opened and published during the first week
of the session Of the General Assembly.
Putting all these provisions together ii
is very plain that the trainers of the School
Law would not have supposed in the abb
sence Uf any express provision on the sub
iect, that the Commissioner would enter
upon his duties before the time for opening
tie returns ofths State election; nor is it very
reasonable to suppose that they designed to
have his off :ial term commence prior TO the
goth of January, otherwise his official term
would expire before the time had elapsed
for making his third annual report, and his
suscessor be compelled to make report
with ten days experience in the Office.
1t was undoubtedly the expectation OF the
last General Assembly that the Se7Ietary
of State world continue 10 perform the du'
ties of the Office ofSuperintendent of Com
mon Schools, until the commissioner should
be elected and duly qualified. But if not,
there is then an interregnum in the Office OF
School Commissioner, unless the Secretary
Of State be er o6icio School Commissioner.
If he is not, Gov, Medill ought to appoint
him temporarily, in order to give Mr.. Bar
ney, chance to close his business in Gin
cinnali and enter on his duties in Februa.
ry.
We hope thatthose interested will relieve
MFR. Barney for the present from attending
to duties, for which he is not paid and to dc
which requires sacrifice to himself and
family, which he cannot afford. His salary
is but small anyhow; and after he pays his
contingent expenses (say S5oo) and his liO-
ing, he ill hardly be even. The Legisla'
ture will see that he will not suffer in the
| premises -tSkaLeSmaR.