Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-03-03
Freehold District School.
To he People Of Freehold Toaonsdip.

pal, Mr.. Stephen Morris, deem it matter
OF justice to the Trustees, and to the public,
las well as to myself to place in the columns
OF our Village Papers, candid statement OF
the whole affair The district of Freehold
numbers about 300 children, being much lar
gar than any other in the township, and con-
sequently drawing much more Of the School
Fund. The teacher charges $500 per scholar
for all within the district who attend school,
for which he draws out of the fund; and those
children who come from over the bounds Of
the district he has extra pay for from their
parents. The income annually to the teacher
therefore, is little short of 81 600 This be-
ing the case, it is natural that frequent appli-
cation would be made for the situation. And
here is the true ground from whence arose,
through the-eforts of Mr.. Morris, all that I'M
due alarm and agitation which has so recently
perVaded our town. Several applications
were honorably made for the school to the
Trustees, who are the legal officers to act in
such cases, and offers were made to take this
school for $500 per year. Mr. Morris being
a man very easily excited and very DESTROYS
of retaining so good hold, suspicioned, and
without any good reason that the Trustees,
together with myself were plotting to have
him removedA without giving him bearing
| He therefotS, In order 10 effect his purpose,
independent of the action of the Trustees, Wis
tied Gas We are informed, almost every fami-
ly interested in the school, Avoiding, through
policy, any serious charge against the Trus-
tees, he lavished the bulk of his censure upon
me; and, to affect sympathy in his favor, and
a prejudice against me; he, or others, circula-
ted, as | am informed, certain charges against
me, which had not even shadow of truth for
their foundation We cannot enumerate all,
a few however, we will mention.
LIST That about year ago made him
give his note in bank to raise funds, a0hiIe
had money IN my hands due to him, and that
pocketed the discount on the note, or in other
words, shaved the note
I'd That / wanted to remove him because
he did not trade more with ne.
3d. That / had debt owing from some
one of the applicants that l could not other
wise get.
4th. That compelled him to trade out his
salary
When these reports first came out could
not credit them, but as was daily accosted
in the street to know why was thus treat
ing Mr. Morris, | was compelled to believe
that he, or some i'll designing persons, were
busy in tanning the flame, and swelling the
prejudice to its utmost height. In the mean
time the trustees called public meeting, to
transact some important business in reference
to the school This aroused Mr. Morris and
his friends still more, as the report went forth
that the cali of the meeting was made in Or
der to have him removed. When the hour
| yod fhn MOI 0f inhn h
tants rushed to the spot some to rescue him
! but probably more out of curiosity. Any
qniet observer, ignorant of the cause, might
have supposed our pleasant town was about
to be stormed by some sanguinary foe, and our
| gallant citizens (who in justice we sincerely
say are never lacking in any emergency, had
| been Summoned hastily in its defence. Unfor-
tunately, the trustees and myself, who we're
the criminals at the bar, were prevented una
vordably (or majoity of them) from appear
ing at that meeting they therefore agreed to
adjourn it till the Monday following, and put
up notices u thst effect This however, only
tended to increase censure on our part, cs re-
port went oat that we were afraid to face the
storm. The people present, however, organ
| .zed appointed officers, aud passed resolutions
favorng Mr.. Morris. We regret extremely
that the trustees, or quorum at least, could
not have been present. as we never have been
able to get together before, such body of
people, and aside from any other motive,
much good in behalf of education might have
been the result. The adjourned meeting which
took place on Monday following, was well at
tended, the proceedings Of which were hon
estly and impartially published in the Demo-
cfdt, of this village. The trustees were all
present, and satisfied we believe, all those who
were willing to be satisfied as to the real
truth OF the matter in agitation. l was sorry
that some few used very ungenerous means to
prevent my making reasonable defence in
the presence OF Mr.. Morris But, am happy
to say the NEE ting was generally composed of
honest, fair-tiiiaking men, who were willing 10
see right take place. And here take occa-
sion to speak gratefully of those gentlemen
who considered it perfectly fair that | should
defend myself on that occasion. In reference
to the trustees, Daniel Christopher, Esq,
VIM. D Oliphant, Esq, and Mr.. John G
Cooper, to my knowledge they have always
acted faithfully and honorably as regards the
true interest of the school, and deserve the en-
tire confidence Of the people.
] am satisfied from Mr.. Merris's own ex-
preston, few days ago, before good VII
ness that he has nothing really against me.
nor has he any reason to have. l have al
ways treated him respectfully and never de
signed to harm him. My books show that he
has had his pay in the ratio to which he was
entitled with all other teachers, not another
of whom | have ever had the least difficulty
And now it is all summed up in the compass
of nut shell Mr.. Morris took this means
to secure his situation He met with some
no doubt who encouraged hiaa through politi-
cal motives, ard TO Us great excitement arose
from nothing. We do not wonder that so many
sympathzed with him, and felt indignant if
were really guilty Of these charges. confess
am ashamed to be compelled to make pub
lie exposition of matter so unreasonable in
ITSELF but could not rest easy under such i'm
putatlons, while they were calculated to dis
grace one engaged in promulgating cause
which / dearly cherish and oYe-a cause too
important for any intelligent citizen to triGe
with--too sacred indeed to be made subject
of political speculation. The education of the
rising generation, and tie general diffusion of
knowledge among the masses Of the people. is
q theme of the highest consideration with eve
ry citizen who feels an interest in the general
stability aud prosperity Of our happy country.
The Patriot the Philosopher, the wise and
good men Of our country generally, dwell on
this theme with the deepest anxiety. On this
mainly they believe hangs the future DESTINY
OF this vast and growing republic; it is the
principal agent which is to purify and to pro,
tect our institutions from the intrigue and
treachery ofdemagogues and evil disposed men,
while it enlightens and equalizes all communi-