Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-11-21

For the Express.
Mr.. HUDsoS In Saturdays issue of the
Journal is the valedictory of Mayor Pat
terson on his retiring from the Office of
Mayor, and His Honor must have been in
that blissful state which produces par.
tial alteration of mind in which he neither
knew nor cared what he said, (some folks
are subject to such spells,) or he stands
before this people guilty of issuing tbs
sue Of falsehoods which no person, occu-
plying high official position should stoop
to euen for partisan purposes, which are in
tended to mislead those who are not post
ed in the matters referred to.
His Ex-Honor said that in January,
1853, the Common Schools of this city
were organized, and that A. Kinney, Jas.
Hook, Moses Soule. V. j. Burnett, and
JOS Cooper, were the first Trustees elected
none Of which were Democrats; and that
the Board Of Trustees Of the same politi
cal complexion, were continued until July
1859, and did nothing but deal out con-
tracts to favorites and spend the tuition
fund set a part for educating the children.
in building up huge ungainly School
House at cost of $4,000, which can be
DUPLICATED for 1900; and if his advice
had been taken, that could have been
done?
Now for the truth Of His Hoaor's state.
ments. He says the School Board first
elected, did nothing but deal out contracts
to favorites, and build ungainly school
houses, &c.
Now, Mr. x.Mayor, does moi the mantle
of shame tinge your cheek, when you 70
feet that you have held the position you
have for about four years with the oppor-
tunity of informing yourself in relation to
what was done, To make such state
ment officially. is exhibiting either your
ignorance of the affairs of the city. OF a
gross and willful Misrepresentation Of the
facts. Take either side of the case you
please.
But the facts: lnls53. the School Board
elect went to work to inaugurate and put
in operation a system Of Free Schools.
with list Of scholars between the legal
ages under the law, of 100 and / 800, to
provided for. There was not public
school house within the city, except the
brick house in North Terre Haute, and its
capacity from 100 to 100 scholars.
That Board me. day after day, and night
after nighs, devising the ways and means
of putting the schools in operation
Amonp their first official acts was to buy
the County Seminary and tit it up for
schools; and by renting the basement OF
churches, and all the places that would
answer for schools.
IL September of 1883. they opened the
frat Free Schools in our city with 500
scholars slowed into those places named
above. as the best that could be doue. To
continue the schools and provide more
suitable places for them. the Trustees lev.
led a tax which was struck down by the
courts as unconsfifunonaL The school was
continued until the Supreme Court gave
them their quietas. eaf
The next thing the School Board did.
WAS to build the School House on s 'uth
I'd Street. which was done in lo55.a The
friends of Free Schools were managing tn e
funds, that they might be able to build
sufficient number of houses, that a system
Of schools mi sht be opened that would ac-
eommodate all WHO might want to attend.
In 1857 the School Board projected the
house Oh 4th street, which His Tx Honor
d,slikes 30 much Well. the plan was
adopted by the Trustees, aud by the Trus.
tees submitted to the Common Council,
over which His Ex- Honor was pre'iding at
the time. and asked them to concur in the
plan, aud aid in esrr3ieg in:o effect q e
erection of The building. The Council did
so concsr-His Elk Honor Recommending
the speedy letting Of the wo,k.n hsibas.
The Trustees advertised for bids and let
the work. the bids rssging from $1,000
(what il was let at) to Si3.0Oo. nov his
Elk Honor says il could be duplicated Tor
a. 900. but il is not 10 be wondered at, that
the Ex- Mayor should feel a little bad about
that matter, for, sfterthe contract ~as- let
aud a part Of the material on the ground
a change came over the spirit Of his dreams,
some outside influence had been a. work
at his homer and he came to the CodncIl
with a message urging them TO cause the
school board to Violate their. oaths and
amend the contract. or that the Council
should turn out said school board. and put
jo such tools as would do their bidding.
(sec his message upon that matter. spring
If ISL \ but the house was built, notwith'