Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-09-06
Economy iD SchooI Matters.

2SVhVmy IU DGHOUA A1EktESs
Having heard Of the recent action of one
of the Boards of Directors n passing res4
olution TO reduce the wages of teachers during
the wintef, We oaDnet remain silent and pss,
siveiy submit to such an imposition We knos
there ID an impression, tfat the North Is about
to suffer from general prostr4tion of business.
and that our taxes are TO be augmented so
much as to oPpress the payers. Nov while We
are willing TO admit, that large emorst os
money is to be raised--and by direct tax tim.
the recent law imposes 90 tax upon these who
are DOT holders of property. Those who p)s,
scss property are able TO pay their portion
without any real suffering. Il may in some
cases De ineonvenieps, but the principal obiec,
tions will arise from selfish consideration.
The Gevernmeut manifestly has the, righ, 10
make such levy upon its cii2ens. They have
accurulated their property under its protec-
ton, and the value it NAV have, is derived
from and depends Lpon this protection and
ths man who objects to paying his quota to-
wards lis support, is too sordid aud too un~
grat~f1l to be worthy the name of Amtr riean.
That there may be and n.ed be some cur.
taIment OF ordinary expenses We slow, but
let economy be 6rst shown IN dispensing with
some OF the luxuries of life, rather than tue
necessities. We insist that good education
Is prime necessity at the present day Had
general knoWledge been more universally diff
tussd throughout our llnl, these troubles would
never h4Fe been. The wlnt OF it anoug tie
masses of the people ia some of our States,
has placed them subject to the control of
tew designing men, who by misreprasenting the
Actual sentiment in other PORTIONS Of the
country, have aroused evil passions, and for
their own aggrandlzenlent have excired an ope
position 10 that Government, which was pro.
tsctIng them in The eojpymeut Of everv
right
o. q sd esaaos 9ogds g ai,aipisk
every luxury be banished from our tables, aud
that our clothing be of the commonest and
cheapest quality, than to curtal IN the Ie a.
the now scauty expenditure for school purpo-
ses. The present condition of our country is
rather an argument for than against the con-
tlnuance of our appropriations. Had the mon-
ey which will be expended before this difficult
ty IS settled. been appropriated within the last
twenty-five years for the organzatien and suns
port of Common Schoals, throughout thosa
States which are DOW IN rebellion. some of
which have no successful free school system:
the present calamity might DO doubt have been
averted, without the sacrifice of so usnv val
liable lives. Though now too laie to remedy
past evils and prevent tue trouble which is now
upon US, let US while We hasten its settlement
oy all proper means, commence reform, and
strive to promote the educational interest and
hasten the diffusion of knowledge, that We
may be secure from repetition oil these hos.
rors in The future. 1t is educa,ion ale no, which
renders man capable of controlling aud GOV
ernlng bis passions; it is that alone. Which
when generally possessed by the commou peo
Ple-the voters at our elections, makes q free
government secure, and purges from the off
elal bodies all fostering corruption.
In some portions of the country, where the
manufacturing interest is the important Que.
there may be some excuse for retreuohmea;,
even 10 school expenses, since that particular
branch of Industry is more seriously affected
than any other. Thousands of men are NOW
Idle 10 some of those localities aud are iu rpea-
sure dependent upon charity for support, aud
hgh school tax would be burdensoms but in
the agricultural districts there need be, and
Will De no suffering, since there is no check se
these pursuits. And especially ia it unjust in
our own county, which e entirely devoted ia
agriculture, aud where the crops this year are
more than usually abundant. IL is the opin-
Ion OF many we'll informed persons, that this
county was never 10 more prosperous con-
dlilon, nor better able to endure taxation than
at the present time. As our space will not
admit or lt al this time, we shall defer until
next week the consideration of some facts and
figures which, will show the absurdlty, in sup
posing that tie necessity for such a reduction
exists.