Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-02-07
For The Qadsquetoa Guardian.
Mr.. EDIToR:

healthy excitement in relation to the mat
ter of school taxes assessed by the Board
of Directors of this school district. 1t
is with some degree of delicacy that l
approach the subject, but believing that
the Board has been wrongly censured,
desire to give the subject little general
investigation.
The Office of School Director is one
neither of honor or profit, but rather a
burthen than benefit; while the duties
imposed by law, added to the numbcrlcss
and nameless perplexities and annoyances
which ever and anon arise, like the ghost
of Banquo, to haunt the incumbent and
destroy his peace, render the position
anything but desirable. 1t is too often
the case that the other members of the
District instead of assisting him in his
labors, render them still more oncrous by
opposing him in the discharge of his du-
ties. This state of things often has its
origin not so much from desire to re-
tard, as to promote the best interests of the
school-not so much from any i'll will to-
ward the directors, as a want of know
ledge or ability to appreciate their respon-
sibility. Again, it sometimes happens
that seltishness underlies the actions of
men, and becomes the motive power that
impels them to seek cause of blame or
eensure in fancied wrongs and usurpa-
tons. And yet again-there are some
who have a disposition, either natural or
acquired, of scrutinizing with suspicious
eye the actions of others. Who seem TO
enjoy with peculiar zest any discovery
with which to feed that jealousy. Who
Chew the cud of their displeasure until
they behold hideous forms and foul con-
tortions dance like Lapland witches round
beauty's funeral pyre. And yet once
more-there arc some whose love of no.
toriety impels them to act, and not hav-
ing the ability to do, they seek to shine
by scruiinizing the doings of others.
Now, Mr.. Editor, let us turn to the
facts and circumstances which have call
ed into play these heterogeneous ele-
mcnts. AT the district meeting, held in
October last, plan was presented for
the finishing and furnishing the school
house, so as to render it suitable, conve-
nient, and comfortable Git being then
wholly unfit for the purposes of school,.
The plan was adopted by the district,
and the directors instructed and cmpow-
cred to finish the house accordingly. The
sum of $3.50 was voted for the purpose,
and 1915 for incidental expenses. But
none were found willing to perform the
labor for that price. 1t was also fact
that the school house was under mort
gage to the School Fund Cnmnaissioner
to secure the payment of money borrowed
from the school fund, the interest on
which would soon be due, a fact for
which the district meeting failed to pro-
vide. Here, then, was dilemma. The
school house was to be finished according
to the plan ordered by the district. The
Directors, by virtue of their official char
acter, were bound to pay the interest,
without sufficient funds for the one and
none for the other.
The Directors, taking practic view
of the case, decided to add to the sum
voted an amount sufficient to carry into
effect the intent of the district in relation
to the School House, and also to provide
for the payment of the interest on the
aforesaid mortgage, which, Joined to the
sum voted, raised the taxes two cents on
the 500. We have now arrived at the
grand sum total of the whole matter
herein lies the nucleus around which re-
wolves in endless circles tho ever shifting
phantoms of deoeurated law, of trampled
rights, aud principles ovcrthrown. Now
certain would-be legal gentlemen (who,
by the way, arc becoming quite numcr-
Gus in these parts-attracted, no doubt,
to the profession Of law, because it affords
the surest and quickest way to starvation)
seize at this bone of contention with the
greediness of lean dog knawing at the
skeleton of the shadow of leg of NUT
ton. Yet Notwithstanding there is the
slightest possible smell Of litigation in the
controversy, they manifest a commenda-
BILE degree of industry in the exhibition
of their legal knowledge, giving us COM
mon people to understand how nicely
they would pick the goose, provided they
could catch it. The argument of these
disciples of Il will not say Blackstone,
lest ! subject myself to an Indictment for
the defamation Of the memory Of one who
is dead is that the tax is illegal, because
the Statute gives no power to the direc-