Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-01-18
A snficient neriod has now elapsed for

A sufficient period has now elapsed for
you to determine whether the people are
generally satisfied with the present law, or
in what respect it requires mobilization
There has been some complaint of the
manner of distributing the State School
Fund. Those counties which include popu-
lous cities are assessed with greater amounts
than the enumeration Of youth entitle them
to receive, and in one instance the amount
received is only about one-half the sum con-
tributed to the State fund Still, it is easy
to see that if we consider the child as the
object of public regard-as ward of the
State for a certain degree of instruction
that the direct application of the public
bounty to the youth of the counties in pro-
portion to the annual enumeration, is neith-
er illogical nor inconsistent. 1t presents a
fair subject, however, for the consideration
of the General Assembly.
The organization Of township Boards Of
Education, which to the extent of their
powers and duties, reduced the authority of
local directors, was centralizing measure,
and has undoubtedly produced greater de-
gree of uniformity and efficiency; but it is
grave question whether the division Of ju-
risdiction between those bodies has not led
to disagreement and confusion, and whether
the power of taxation vested in Boards of
Education has not been injudiciously exer-
cised
l deem it highly important that the
school act should accurately define the pow
ers and duties of these officers, respectively; /;
although it is quite possible that former un-
certainty in this and other respects, has been
removed by the opinion and advice of the
State Commissioner. The present system
owes much to the habitual and judicious ex-
positions of that Office.
Boards of Education are required to fur
nish schools for seven months osthe year, and
they are authorized to direct assessments
'for school purposes other than for the pay
ment of teachers" under which head the
item of school house construction is inclu-
ded. They may also direct assessments not
exceeding two mills on the dollar for the
support of central or high schools, when
legally established, and 'for the purpose of
prolonging after the State funds have been
exhausted the terms of the several sub-dis-
trict or primary schools in the township."-
There does not seem to be any limitation of
the power Of taxation Afor school purposes
other than the payment of teachers"
The taxes assessed for local school pur-
poses in 1854 amounted to 81, ,295, ,424, and
in 1855 to S2,246,346, amounts almost
equal to the State school tax of mill and
half on the grand duplicates. Tho larg
est portions of these assessments were doubt
less for school house structures and to pro-
long the school beyond the period of seven
months, and may be regarded as extraordi-
nary expenditures. Why should not the
proposition to incur them be submitted to-
the consideration of the people of the town
ship! As the the services of members of
Boards of Education are gratuitous those
officers are usually ardent friends of educa-
ton, and there is danger that their zeal in
behalf however honorable to them, individ-
ually, may sometimes fail to be sustained by
public opinion, state of things certain to
produce an injurious reaction and to impair
the usefulness of our school system. IT.
would be better to distribute certain de-
gree of educational progress over several
years, and be sure meanwhile of cordial
sentiment of public approval, than to pre-
eipitate the same results within a single
year, and thereby ALLEVIATE the sympathies
of community. The latter must accompa-
ny and sanction all our school movements,
and no more serious error can be committed
then to mistake the enthusiasm of a few for
a conviction of the many. Let every style
be carefully considered and fully matured,
and if unusual in its nature, ratified by al
majority of the people of the district at a
meeting called for its discussion, and we
confidently dismiss our fears for the future
propriety and advancement Of the cause of
popular education.
The Report of the Board of Trustees
furnishes very full and satisfactory account
of the past history and present condition of
the Benevolent Institutions located in Co
lumbus. The lapse of time has confirmed
the wisdom of the policy which suggested
their establishment. Every year has wild
ened the circle of their usefulness. At the |
same time that the humanity of the age
has been gratifed, they have been instru-
ments of couferring the greatest blessing
upon the unfortunate class who have been
inmates of them. The Institutions for the
Deaf and Dumb and the Blind reach a class
Of children for which our public schools had
not provided. The success in imparting
moral and intellectual training has been
equal to the highest expectations of their
most ardent friends.
The prosperity of these Asylums has
been uninterrupted during the past two years.
They have been eminently successful in full
filing the objects of their establishments
Owing, however to the rapid advance in
provision, the appropriations made for their
support have not been adequate to meet
heir expenses. To keep them in operation,
.he Board of Trustees have been compelled
10 contract heavy debts for the statement
If which 1 refer you to their report. These
ietts are due principally to tradesmen- and
,thcrs who have furnished provisions for the
inmates of these institutions. They arc,
therefore,, entitled to your early considera-
ion, and as prompt payment as is consistent
With the interests Of the State.
The two Lunatic Asylums Mt Newburg
md Dayton have been completed, and open.
d for the admission of patients within the
last year-the former on the 5th of March,