Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-02-09
Communications.
For the Journal.
Public Schools of Fremont.

Of last week an article headed Public
SchooIs-More Taxi" and undersigned
+Sandusky."
! /, as taxpayer, feel very seriously the
present pressure of taxation, and would be
as willing as any other man to have it less
ened instead of increased; but of two evils
always think it best to choose the least
therefore, as there are only FIVE rooms in
both the old and new school houses, in our
union district, which cannot accommodate
more than three-fourths of our pupils,
deem it far better to raise tax 10 purchase
a lot and build another school house. than
to be under the necessity Of hiring dilap-
idated building, at rate which in few
years would amount to as much money as
would build good and sufficient house
one that would answer all the purposes Of
the union district. Perhaps it would be
al@sys well not to decide too precipitately
on important measures; especially those
which relate to the well,being of communi-
ty and the honor Of our country. In the
first place we may well reflect whether it
be right and proper, in fact, whether it be
constitutional to pass law that taxpayers
shall educate the children of those who pay
no tax; the constitutionality of the law
have never heard questioned, while all seem
to agree that the PRONUNCIATION of knowl-
edge BY means of public schools, is highly
important to the American people, whose
independence was based on and is to con-
tinue by their intelligence. zone genera
ton passeth away, and another cometb," !"
but if science and virtue perish, then, there
would be an end to American liberty. It
was one of the FIRST objects of the eastern
colonists to establish public schools; other
States in succession followed the noble ex-
ample, and science became as far spread
as their population. Ohio, at length, ma
tured plan to give all her sons and daugh-
ters equal advantages for competent ed
ucation; portion Of the money raised BY
taxes is appropriated to the severa! school
districts, in proportion to the number of
youth between the ages of six aud twenty
one years Here, then, is donation to
each district to pay teachers; but none
made to erect school houses. furnish fuel,
DC. How now, we may inquire, are We in
Fremont to avail ourselves of ti.is gift?
taken, indeed. originally from our own
pockets; J certainly in no other way than TO
build school houses commodious enough for
all our pupils. Shall we now stop abashed
and appalled, at little more taxation? ?
and say, thoNgh taxed to educate all, We
will not build school houses for all! this
last requisitiOn is too grieyous to be borne,
we will not submit to il! rather let the poor
educate the poor; away with public
schools Such a mode of reasoning, we
bave the charity TO believe. no citizen would
be wiling to adopt; but wish rather 10 be
thought at least as philanthropic. and hu-
name, as citizens in the German States.
where schools are supported at the expense
of the government, and where, of course,
the people are taxed. But it is said in the
article referred to, that the brick school
house was to costbut $4,000. nevertheless
a lax was demanded and obtained Of 81 900
more to complete it, and that sum is to be
paid to mechanic TO whom it is justly due
for completing his contracu) instead of En-
ishing the building, This appears to the
writer great marvel, that said sum should
have been considered necessary TO the COM
pletion of the building. Surely the work
had been done and must be paid for; and
is it unreasonable that the contractor after
having waited more than year, should be
allowed ten per cent for the time TO come
till paid? We can certainly see no impro-
priety in this arrangement 1t was not bor-
rowing money, but merely procrastinaling
payment, with reasonable interest. 'The
laborer is worthy of his hire" and could
he have had his money. might probably
have turned it 10 more profit; the money
was not borrowed. but payment deferred,
both to dojus;ice. and save the expense of
suit. Where then, we would ask, is there
any default or grievance in regard to that
building? Why, says the writer, ii is not
completed; true, it wants another coat Of
paint, and the lot is not fenced, yet ii will
answer for the present. as the funds are
out, and another school house on the east
side of the river, is of the utmost import
ance, in order to carry into effect the inten-
tions of the school law, which few or none
we believe. are opposed to. Who will say
then, that tax should not be levied to
build another house. and avoid the necesai-
ty of hiring very Indifferent school rooms
for no other can be obtained.
But it is further alledged that the direc-
tors do not discharge their duties; that they