The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-02-20


.rUnn,y ,,c,,
To the Voters OF Evansville.
OF Our citizens are called upon to-
day to decide question more deeply AZ
fecting their material interests and the
progress Of the city, as we sincerely be
lieve, than any enterprise Of Railroads,
Factories, or other plans for the extern
sion of their commerce and industry;
and it is one that will surely affect the
social we'll being. and the moral and in
tellectual character of our citizens per-
haps for generations. The issue, without
any wishsto magnify its consequences, ID,
in our apprehension. momentous. In
comparison, with the importance Of main
tanning our Free Schools, all other ques.
tons Of municipal reform are insigni6-
cant. We were . few months ago I,
before the extraordinary decision OF the
Supreme Court upon the school question
which came like an electrical explosion
in acloudless sky.-all strongly in favor
Of adopting the new charter. under the
belief that it would enable us to remove
the nuisances Of grog shops. When the
disastrous effects Of that most unexpect
ed decision werc seen. in arresting the
public schools in other cities, the delay
in the adoption Of the new charter.
which had been accidental in our City
Councif-seemed to be a most providen
tial event. While other cities, in the
State, were indulging in lamentations
and the children were clad in mourning
we were rejoicing owe, our exemption
from the calamity that had been inflicted
upon all the other cities. This fortunate
escape-this exclusive advantage tina
had so happily fallen to our lot. we arr
urged by men who confess themselves b
DO actuated by selfish views, to reckless
ly cast aside for some uncertain. and tri
fling temporary expedient.-some doubt
full good. which-if desirable can b
attained in another way.
If any one still believes that on
schools can be maintained under the nev
charter, either by public revenue or vol
untary contributions, let him read tn
paragraphs we publish this morning i
regard to the schools in New Albany
indianapolis, and Lafayette. In thes
places the people have made public spiI
tied efforts, 10 maintain their schools b
voluntary contributions with the aid {
the public funds still at their command
But their labors have ended in . sad an
notifying failure. The schools 81
closed. or soon will be, and the house
are offered to let TO teachers who vi
nse them for private seininaries.
In these times when labor ID scare
and wages are low. and the poor ma
finds it difficult to procure bread for hi
family. how is he to pay for the privat
tuition of his children? The schoolin
of four children at a private school can
not be less than $l2 each or about S.
per annun, a sum greater than the rer
Of comfortable tenement. In our pre-.
emit condition, the poor mans childre
enjoys the benefit without cost, or forth
payment Of trifling tax less than do
lar. Can the voters Of this city, tn
majority Of whom pay less than or
dollar per annum for the support Of ii
schools, be so infatuated, as 20 vote Il
an act that will surely destroy them?-
1t does not appear to US within the rani
Of moral possibilities, that the INTEL
gent members Of this community, wi
have for so many years manifested
much shrewdness in their worldly int
csts-and evinced in all their acts
deep concern and so liberal spirit
the maintenance and advancement
morality and learning, can be guilty
the madness and folly of breaking dow
at this hour. the noblest institutions tn
have ever reared for theirs and the
children's temporal and highest interes
Will they close them now, when tn
have just reeched the highest point
excellence and efficiency. When thu
quicke1ing intellectual power is besi
ming to be seen in the boa ming faces, a
bright eyes of the youthful thronss
the streets.
We will not believe that che citize
of Evansville can be led by sophistry a
error into . step SO fatal to their high,
interests as to abandon their pub
schools, till their own votes shall recc
the sad verdict
The advocates Of the New Char
sustain their cause by no arguments
positive good to be obtained; they j
tify their course by excuses. They G
not dispute the fact that nnder the n
Charter the schools cannot be sustain
by the public revenue; but they atteu
by O. course Of technical reasoning
nrovo. tha pauor IN ro;oo a "a Co. oh