The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-01-04
Petitions for the Repeal of our
School Law.
NO. ~

1>Os
To the Editors of the Enquirer:
In the petition under consideration we
find the following:
sour State and county Auditors must
ever be. under our form of government,
our School Fund Commissioners, through
whom all necessary school statistics are
and can be derived, and published by our
Secretary of State, as in the State of New
York. In fine, we consider the office of
State Commissioner Of Common Schools
superfluous and unnecessary, as we'll as
expensive"
The petitioner is exceedingly unfortu-
nate in his alluson to the State Of New
York
More than ten years ago, the Secretary
Of State. in his annual report to the Legis-
lature Of that State, declared that it was
utterly out Of the question for him to at
tend properly 10 the duties Of both Offices;
and, upon his suggestion. law was pass
ed, authorizing him "to designate and ap-
point Deputy Superintendent Of Common
Schools" with suitable number Of clerks
to assist him. The salary of said Deputy
and his clerks amounts to a trne short of
$3 900 annually. So much for the peti-
toner's opinion that the office of Commis-
sioner is 'superfuous, unnecessary and
expensive"
In support Of the utility of the Office in
question. authorities are abundant in every
State which has tested it by fair trinl.-
The main arguments in its behalf were
embodied in the remarks of Hon. Harvey
Rice. in the State Senate, on the passage
Of the School law. He said: "Another
leading feature of the bill, and one which
educatonists regard as of vital Importance.
is the provision for State Commissioner
of Common Schools, to be elected by the
people 1t would be impracticable, in my
humble opinion, to give any great degree
of efficiency to any school system. howev-
er wise might be its provisions in other re-
spects, without Incorporating into it a Gen.
tral power, competent to supervise its op-
erations, and give to the heart Of its ma
chnery strong pulse and a heal,hful in
fluence.
"This view OF the matter, am satisfied
accords with the experience Of such other
States as have become the most distinguish
ed for the excellence of their Common
Schools. As well might an army expect
to achieve great victories without gener-
al at its head, as the friends of education
expec, that system of Common Schools,
extending throughout the State, can be
made, without a supervising power. to ac-
complish the grand object in view
Blu, the language OF the following extrac,
from this notable petition caps the climax,
and must forever settle the authors pre-
eminent claims 10 patriotic public spirit:
"We think, in Justice, that no more than
one mill on the dollar should be levied on
the whole people, in addition TO the build
ing Of school houses. With regard TO To-
cal taxation for the support of schools. in
many cases. we consider it little better
than the legalized pzunder Of plank road
notoriety."
This is the unkindest cut Of all! And i,
needs no other reiutation than that furnish
ed by the malevolent spira-and rude Ian
guage with which it is uttered.
To couple an assessment for extending
the usefulness Of our excellent system Of
common schools with the plank road
schemes, is so repulsive to our better feel
ings. and manifesis such an utter callous-
ness, such an utter contempt for these dear
ly cherished nurseries OF knowledge and
rcpublicanism, that we can hardly refrain
from the exclamation, .'Oh, shame, where
is thy blush?''
Has it, indeed, come to this? Have our
common schools sunk so low IN the es,i-
maii7n Of single citizen OF Ohio, thai
plans for their amelioration are associated
with schemes OF plunder2 Why, far bright
er visions were before our eyes, when we
reflected that with the aid of the two mill
tax and the other provisions OF the new
law, our common schools were destined
10 become not only nurseries of sound
learning and substantial science, but o.
those high moral aims and noble aspira-
tions which adorn and beautify, while they
dignity and elevate human character.
A little further or, the petitioner says
"We would finally observe that the State
owes large debt, which your memorial
lists are ready and anxious to diminish and
extinguish as fast as possible" That i:
to say, the memorialists are quite willing
to be taxed for the purpose of liquidatine
debts incurred by the State in erecting
peni.entiaries, maintaining criminal courts
building houses Of refuge, and sustaining
police establishments; but they NANTES
great reluctance to be taxed for the main
tenance and support of those institutions
which. if properly fostered. would quite a:
effectually secure the community agains
the depredations of the ignorant and tht
criminal.
They seem quite anxious to defray thos'
expenses which tie State contracted BY
digging canals, creating slack water navi
CATION, and developing the physical re
sources of the State generally; but the!
start back with the hue and cry Of plum
dering schemes of "pzank road notoriety,
when il is proposed to develop the intellec
tual and moral resources of the State
when it is proposed TO open the avenue
OF knowledge and afford an unrestricte'
entrance thereto. to every human being
who has capacities and faculties to be de
veloped. improved, cultivated and direct
ed, whether he be the child Of the rich o
the poor, the high or the low, the native o
the foreigner.
Is not educated intellect productive cap
ital of the highest order. and as worthy