Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-01-17

local directors,' was centralizirg measure,
and has undoubtedly produced greutef
degree Of uniformity and efficiency: but i
is grave question whether the division
jurisdiction between those bodies hds not
led 10 disagreement and confusion, and
whether the power of taxrtion vested in
Boards Of Education has not been iniudicioas-
| iy exercised.
] deem il highly important that the
school lact should accurately define the
powers aud duties of these officers, res poet.
lively; although 1t is quite possible that
former uncertainty in this and other re-
spects, has been removed oy the opinion
and advice Of the State Coumissioner. Tie
present system owes much TO the habitual
and judicious expssitions OF that officer
Boards Of Education are required to
furnish schools for seven months of the
year, and they are authorized to direct as.
sessnents "for school purposes other than
for the payment Of teachers" Under which
head the item Of school house construction
is included Tbey may also direct usses.-
ments not exceeding two mills on the dol.
lar for the support of central or high schools
when legally established, and "for the pur-
pose Of prolonging after the State funds
have been exhausted the tetms of the sew.
etal sub-district or primary schools in the
oWnship." There does not seem to be
any Limitation Of the power Of taxation
"ior school purposes other than payment
Of teache,s." ...
The taxes assessed for local school pr
poses In 1854 amount to Sl,29S,4 ,424, and
in 1855 to Sl,246,345, amount almost equal
to the State school tax Of mill and a
lalf on The grand duplicates. The largest
portion Of these assessments were doubtless
for school house structures, and to prolon2
the SC oul beyond the period Of seven
months, and may be regarded as extraprd- =
nary expenditures. Why should not the
proposition to inSur them be submitted 20
the consideration of the people of the town
ship! AS the services OF members OF
Boards .! Education are gritutons, those
officers are usually ardent friends Of educa.
ton, and there is danger that lher zeal in
lis behalf, however honorable to them, in
dlvidnalIy,may sometimes ial to be sustain.
cd by public opinion, state Of things GER
lain to produce an injurious reaction and
to impair the usefulness Of our school sys-
tenn. II would be better to distribute
certain degree of educational progress over
several years, AMI be sure meanwhile of
cordial sentiment OF public approval, than
Ito precipltate the same result within sim
gle year, and thereby alienate the sympa-
thies Of community. The latter must ac-
company and sanction all our school move
! n,I L.,
committed than to mistake the enthusiasm
of few for conviction of the many
Let every style be carefully considered and
! fully matured, ard if unusual in its nature,
ratified by majority of the people of the
district at Il meeting called for its discussion,
and we may confidently dismiss our fears
for the future prosperity and advancement of
the cause OF popular education.
! The Report of the Board OF Trustees
furnishes a very full and satisfactory &C.
count of the past history and present con-
di,ion OF the BenevoIen' institutions located
in Columbus The lapse of time has con.
! Iirmed the wisdom Of the policy which
suggested their establishment. Every year
has widened the circle OF their usefulness.
At the same time that the humanity of the |
age has been grat;tied, they have been in |
srumcnts of cuniering tn 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 from which our public
schools had no. provided. The success in |
mparting moral and intellectual training
has bsen 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 SUCCESS !
rul in fulfilling the objects of their estab-
lishmeht. Owing however, to the rapid
advance in the price of provisions, the ap-
preparations made for their support have not
been adequate to meet their expenses. To
keep them in operation, the Board of Truss
tees have been compelled to contract heavy
debts, Tor the statement Of which | refer
you to their report. These debts are due
principally to ,radesmen and others who
have furnished provisions for the inmates
of these institutions. They are, therefore
entitled to your early consideration, and as
prompt payment as is consistent with the
interests of the State.
The two Lunatic Asylums at Newbursh
and Dayton have been completed, and open
ed for the admission of patients within :he
pnst year-.he former on the 9th of March,
and the latter on the lst of September.
The cost Of erecting and furnishing these
institutions has greatly exc eeded the amount
appropriated. In the opinion of he Board
Of Trustees the interests of the State re-
quired ,he completion of the buildings, and
to do this they have contracted heavy LA !
bili,ies
Ali must approve the humane motives (
which have multiplied institutions of this
character throughout our country They
are, however, attended with great expense, !
and therefore should not be increased be.
yond tho clear demands OF humanity and
justice.
The Report OF the State House Commis.
sioners will advise You Of the progress of
the work under their charge during the past
two years. 1t is to be regretted lha. the
means placed at the command Of the Com.