Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-02-02

of this tax-ridden corporation, with an addi-
tional tax to build School House; or rath
er, should say to co'nnse ence school house,
for, from past experience, l judge this is
trap set TO catch the unwary. Should this
tax be levied? II is very probable you are
a much wiser man than anl, but must
dissent in toto TO your views.
Al the meeting of the Board, a PROPOSE
ton was made, l am informed, to call for a
tax of $9,oO0l This was opposed on the
ground that the dose was too large, that
the people would rebel and defeat the whole
project It was decided to cali for 81 500,
and after that was received commence
ment might be made, and then the people
would be compelled to finish it at any cost.
Now this game has been played before and
it remains to be seen whether it can be
played second time.
Five years ago when the system was FIRST
adopted, we were assured that the new
house then in contemplation. should not
cost over three thousand dollars. But what
has been the result? Last spring the sixth
thousand dollars was voted. and there the
property IS in an unfinished condition l.
How much more they will require to finish
it is beyond mortal vision. The thousand
dollars voted last spring, the Directors told
us in the call for the annual election, was to
finish the property commenced, butin March
last, the Board made the discovery that
they we're in debt 10 one man, in the sum
of about one thousand dollars! Here was q
dilemma. The creditor threatened to pros
ecute; the Board got together. and agreed
if he would wait one year they would allow
him ten per cent. interest on bis claim; thus
doing in effect what the law says they shall
not do-borrow money. Now, this thou
sand dollars, which the Directors asked us to
vote, to finish the property on the bill, was
voted for a specific object. but in the course
of month, it will be paid over to the afore-
said creditor, and the property on the bill
will lie in its unfinished condition.
Is it prudent to vote an additional tax to
commence new building, before the one
commenced is finished? Is it prudent to
vote money into the hands of Board OF
Directors who do not know the situation of
the finances of the District? and, who call
upon the voters for thousand dollars TO fn-
ish house commenced, and then appropri-
ate it to other purposes than that for which
it has been voted? At present, the bur-
dens are enormous, aud taxpayers should
beware how they increase them.
1t is complained that the present build
ings do not accommodate the children Of the
District, and thai the rooms are crowded to
excess. Ii this is true, how criminal is it in
the Directors and Teachers to admit scho.-
ars into the schools whose home is not in
the District, and who have not the right to
be there. If the schools are crowded, why
not discharge those .favOrites, and LET the
teachers devote their time to the education
of our own children?
Another reason why this tax should not
be voted, is, because the Directors never
yet have called meeting of :he people and
laid before them report of the receipts and
expenditures, and their proceedings as the
law requires them to do. AS they did not
know they we're in debt thousand dollars.
the books must have been kept in horri-
ble condition. The law authorizes the Di-
rectors to publish an Annual Exhibits of the
Receipts and Expenditures, but it has never
yet been done. Why not? The cry is con-
stantly, give, bat the public are in the dark
as to what becomes of the money. Let US
have light from the commencement to the
present time, and no more tax until that is
done. Let us know whether the Directors
have been paid any thing for their services
and if SO, how much? Give US the amount
and the authority for paying them.
So far, the schools have not met the ex-
pectations of their friends, and number
send their children to select school. This
is not, l think, the fault of the system, but
is owing to baG management, poor teachers,
the want Of good rules and their enforce
ment at all hazards,
The Directors pay enough fer good teach
ers, but the whole conduct is a splendid
failure, probably owing as much TO their
want of judicious management. as to the
teachers. SANDUSKY.
REMARKs.-In all that our correspond
ent has said on this subject, We cannot see
that be has offered ONE good reason wky
this tar Of 81 500 should not be vot,d All
the points set forth by "Sandusky," if they
are evils, we propose to correct by electing
good men for Directors. Men who wH
perform their duties as specified By the pro-
visiOns Of tie School Law. Ifthe Direct
ors heretofore have not complied with the