Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-04-25

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was saved the trouble-the dying
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kick with his hind legs which sent me
flying down The steep ont Of reach Of
further danger.
Common schools-Duty Of Township
Trustees.
DEPARTMENT OF Public INSTRUCTION,
Indianapolis, FEB. 6, 1856.
@. L. MuRnAy. Esq: Dear Sir:--In
reply to your favor Of the 3ist ult.,
just received. l am happy to say, II
viii give me great pleasure to answer
your questions In their order:
Qaestion 1. Are the Schools regu-
lated by the Township Boards to be
free to all unmarried persons over FIVE
years OF age?
Answer. Yes, and married too, II
they wish to attend. The specifca-
ton of age, five and twenty-one, reg
ulates the enumeration. but was not
intended to exclude any beyond that
limit. The exclusion of marrid per-
sons under twenty-one years Of age
from the school census, goes on the
assumption that their education is
complete, and that their domestic cares
would render their attendance imprac-
ticable. If however, any in the mat
rimonial state, find their education in
complete. and have the time and dis.
position to enlarge their sphere ol
knowledge, by attending the public
school. its doors are open to them,
and they are bid hearty welcome to
its privileges. Some may from va.
rious causes, find themselves at the
age and stature Of maturity with but
little or no education. The common
wealth is Interested in their education,
and has made provision for all hei
youth. The adult in stature and in
years. in intellectual development and
attainmeats may find himself mere
youth, and therefore is proper sub.
ject Of instruction, and a suitable per-
son for admission to our free schools,
| respect the individual who esteems
knowledge so highly, that he will en-.
gage in its pursuit under difficulties, {"
and would most cheerfully remove sv-
cry impedlmentin his patu. Our sym
pathies and the statrte harmonic. for
the Esd section recognizes the atten.
dance Of persons over twenty-one
years Of age. without any intimation,
direct or implied. that matrimory is q
bar to their admission.
Question 2. Are the Township,
Boards empowered. in their discretion,
to qnarter the Teachers upon the in
habitants of the small districts t.
board, without their consent, or rem.
dering any compensation therefor!
And Il not. does the payment Of the
teacher's board come out Of the school
fund proper. or out Of the funds collec,
ted in the township TO defray the ex'
penses Of the common schools?
Answer. That species of public
economy has not yet been recognized
by the statute. and therefore the poll,
cy implied in your question is totally
unauthorized. 1t is the more obnox
ious because 1t involves an invidious
distinction between large and small
districts, which the law takes specia
pains TO ignore. by requiring the
schools in all the districts to be o.
equal length. The teachers proies.
sional dignity can not be thus wound
ed. by being put through the district.
on the pauper system, BY the ipss dir
IL Of the Township Bosrd. His com,
pensation. like the lawyers fees, and
the doctors charges. Is intended TO b.
n fair remuneration for his services
and the cost Of his bed. board, and
lodging, and the Trustees have no au'
thority to employ district for hi.
board, whether the district be large OF
small. The district, Il they choose
to make an arrangement with the teach.
er. after his employment by the Trus-
tees, to board him. may thereby
lengthen their school to the extent O.
the discount the teacher may make
with the district through their direc.
tor. for the privilege of being the gues
Of his employers. This is q matter
over which the trustees have no more
control. or right to interfere than the,
would have over a subscription school
This arrangement may be agreeabl.
to some districts, and some teachers
may prefer guest life and treatment
to boarder's fare. All such arrange
mcnts must be entirely and surely a
the option OF the parties aforesaid
without any interference whatever or
the part Of the Township Board. 1
comes not within the scope Of their ju
risdiction, and no legitimate construc
ton Of their Official duty will author
ize them TO interfere in the premises
Question 8. Can any part of tn.
school funds bc diverted to any othel
object than for the payment of tuition
Answsr. No. The ed section O
the Law is very clear and definite OF
this point and must not be overlooked
Township Trustees were explicitly snt
fully cautioned in my circular Of Au
gust 10th. 1855. against its violation
Lest that document may not hav,
reached all ths said Boards, 1 will
here insert the paragraph bearing OF
the question. 'The public funds can
not be legally appropriated to only on,
and specific purpose, viz: tuition. ANY
disregard Of the provision Of the Stat
ute, will be q manifest violation Of th.
law; and the Trustees making an,
such mal-appropriation Of the fund
may expect to be required to refuns
every dollar. No excuse or apolog,
will be substitute for funds thus di
vertcd from their legitimate object. II
through ignorance OF the law, the,
have sinned In this respect. the prope
evidence Of penitcnce, and the appro
pirate atonement for tho fault, will b
the assessment Of q township tax 10 re