Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-04-11
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Election of School Directors by Wards.
Inasmuch ss you have permitted my name to
be connected in your columns with the bill now
before the Senate to change the manner Of
electing the members Of the Board of Educa.
ton for this city, trust Jon will permit me
briefly 10 respond to your inquiry "Why this
uroposition to change the mode of electing
School Directors2"
The Board of Education now consists of six
members, not one of whom lives north Of Broad
street, thus leaving three and half wards out
Of nine, and full one-third of the population
Of the city without any representative. But
further, no member of that Board lives south
Of Noble street, unless one Of those elected on
Monday last, does, thus leaving more than two
wards on the south, and full fourth part of
the population without o representative. But
perhaps 1t may be replied the members are
elected as representatives. of the whole city,
and therefore feel equally interested in all It's
parts. But permit me to suggest, does
not this reply apply equally as well to
The City Council as to the Board
Of Education7 II the members of the Coun-
oil were elected by general ticket, would they
not feel equally bound to take care of the in
terests of the whole city7 Can you give any
reason in favor Of electing the memers of the
Board Of Education by general ticket that does
not apply equally as well to the City Council 7
WHY should We adopt different mode of elect.
iuR our School Board from that of any other
CITY in the country7 know of no city, and
do not think one can be found, which elects ia
school Board as we do. They all elect by
wards or districts. They have sll found their
interest required them to adopt the plan nov
proposed here.
But you suggest that the proposed change
will introduce "politics" into the manage
ment of our schools. I do not see how that
can be 90. Suppose @ part Of the Board
should be Of different politics from the
present Board, that wonld but be ss il
used to be-; and ] am sure NO such
charge can be nuthfully brought against any
Board previous to this time. But spprehend
you have no doubt as TO what the future poll
tics Of the Board will be, even II elected by
wards; and cannot the majority control it1 Il
politics In the selection OF teaohers" ia not IL
nored hereafter as heretofore, will it not be the
fault of the Democratic majority, even If three
Or four wards should be represented BY otheri
than Democratic - ,tq.
| This is no new proposition. Is has been talked
Of by some of the friends OF opr schools fol
many yeass, and for myself cay that the goos
of the schools and that alone, prompts my sup
port Of it. THERE'S certainly no other interes
OF equal Importance, whether we look at th,
amount Of money expended, or the men.Al AM
moral good of the people. Then why shoull
We NOS require direct representation, as mucl
40 the interest that superintsnds our streets an
aileys7 With, entire respect for you, permi
me to say, / have neither seen nor heard an
objection TO che proposition which was anything
more than pfeIext. ], j, IANNEY.
i April 3, 1853.
while Mr.. JASHEY could be elected schoc
Director on the general city ticket, he nevs
thought of asking the Legislature to enact a la
providing for the election Of members Of th
Board Of Education BY wards Since his de
| fsas BY the people. be has thoaght and talked
of this matter, and now is very anxious for th